Hi all,
My husband and I decided to go to Anguilla in November for a romantic beach get a away. This will be our first to this island, and I can't wait, it seems to fit the bill perfectly (except the snorkeling, but we will live without it this time around) I researched all the hotels ( staying at CJ) and listed all the wonderful restaurants you all suggested. I must say that all you have to do is a search on this forum and get all the information you need...very helpful.
My only question left is my flight out of NYC.....They seem to all have long connectors or layovers, any suggestions......is it better to do my own flights to Miami lets say and go from there? I do not want to be traveling for 8 hours.....
thank you all for you help...you are amazing!

The travel time to Anguilla is a minimum of 5 to 5-1/2 hours, and you can't really do better than that.

To lessen travel time, fly nonstop to St. Maarten (4 hours) and then take a ferry to Anguilla from Marigot (about 30 minutes). I'm allowing 1 hour to gather your bags and get to the ferry, but there may not be a ferry exactly 1 hour after your arrival at SXM.

To really save time, book a private transfer to Cap Juluca; there's a pier near the airport where you can jump on a private boat.

If you insist on flying all the way to Anguilla, then the fastest way to do the trip is to transfer to Winair in SXM. The flight itself is about 15 minutes, but you have to allow time to gather your luggage and do the transfer.

I don't think it's physically possible to do the trip in less than 5-1/2 hours from JFK, and that's ambitious. If you transfer planes in San Juan and fly to Anguilla from there, then 7 to 8 hours seems reasonable.

Look at Continental out of Newark to SXM; USAirways out of Charlotte -- both are faster than the Miami trek. And definitely fly to SXM -- the connections are waaaay better than AXA.

Also, don't give up on the snorkeling -- it's not the best in the Caribbean but it's not that bad: off the beach at Shoal Bay East and Junk's Hole; Crocus Bay (a guy named Calvin will take you there & pick you up for $10/12); go out on the catamaran Chocolat to some of the small, deserted islands -- you'll have fun!

Thank you both, this was a wealth of information!
I really can't wait, we have been all over the caribbean and for some reason, never gave this island a look, it seems like one of the best kept secerets around.
Thanks again!

Hi, u will Love anguilla! great choice! for more info on island visit anguillaguide.com very Helpful as well!! Good Luck! & enjoy!

Thanks....I love the web site you sent me to, but I can't seem to register to access the message boards, any suggestions?

It is a very useful site (be sure to get the free map -- updated every year & shows restaurants, resorts, shopping -- truly wonderful!). Anyway, the site provides a toll-free number for sign-up issues: 1 800 418 4620

Also this (it's early before coffee -- I forget things):

[email protected]

Hi beachlover53,
We are going again in late November-I lost count but it must be our 20th time,
we now go 3 times a year. CJ is a wonderful hotel on a spectacular beach.
You will love it.

We always fly non stop into SXM-
using Continental, and once in a blue
American out of JFK. You can also save time by doing only carry on--the only way (I cram in too much) I travel to the islands. CJ now has a sea shuttle service from the dock near the airport.
Its much easier than Marigot. I feel once you land in SXM the trip to Anguilla is part of the experience.

I meant once in a blue moon---

Mary I know what you mean--having my
coffee as I am posting this.

Thank you all very much.....I am loving all the valuable information, taking notes and getting ready...I haven't done the final booking yet, just realized that the rates made an incrediable jump once I decided to go in January....I also noticed that CJ and CA are the only 5 star, the next seems to be a 3 star, why no 4 star? Also wondering what the weather is like in Jan. We have never been to the carribbean that time of year, we always go in the spring.
Thanks again...I really need to nail this down by Friday and book.

You can't forget Malliouhana, another luxury resort on Anguilla. And of course there are a lot of very luxurious villas, though most of these are really geared toward larger groups.

Please be aware that the so-called "star" distinction means very little. It's either self-imposed or imposed based on very specific (or very arbitrary criteria) such as does the hotel have a spa? does the hotel have more than one pool? This doesn't reflect whether or not the resort is really good at what it does. Star ratings really denote facilities and services offered, not quality. You can have a really great experience at a "3-star" resort and a really bad experience at a "5-star" resort.