Day trip to Anguilla in October ?
 

My husband and I will be in St. Maarten, Oct. 16-24 we had planned a day trip to Anguilla, but I have heard that during October a lot of things are closed on Anguilla. Shops, restaurants etc. Does anyone have any info about this?? Should we skip the day trip or will there still be things to see and do? Is it worth going over just for the beach or are they just as nice on St. Maarten/Martin? Any info is appreciated. Thank you, Winnie

The beaches in Anguilla are spectacular -- there are 33, white, powdery sand, turquoise waters, no jet skis. Most restaurants & hotels are closed then (we're awaiting the list from the Tourist Board now -- should be any day) but some of the beach places may be open. There's really no shopping on the island even when it's completely open. It's just a place to veg.

I don't recommend Anguilla even for a day trip, so sorry to say. The beaches are gorgeous but you can find that elsewhere too, you know. If most shops are closed, what shops? There are no shops. Sorry it's just so overpriced, even the cab ride was a rip off. It costs us the following for a 3-hour visit to Anguilla:

Cab ride = $16 each way plus tips so that makes it $40 round trip.
Lunch = $50-60 for 2 sandwiches and a couple of rum punches. Food was a little better than Subway (very bland).
Umbrellas and Beach chairs = $10 each!

Now you tell me if it's worth the trouble. The one thing I can tell you though, I had incredible beach and ocean photos --- was that worth over $100? You tell me.

Go to St. Barths instead.

I forgot to include the ferry ride to Anguilla from Marigot...ca-ching!

You were not "ripped off" by the cab driver -- rates are set by the Government & well-publicized. Anguilla has about 80 restaurants, most of them excellent. They range widely in price & a little research would steer you to the good ones. Most of the restaurants located on beaches offer complementary chairs to their guests (& in one case, hammocks). The fact that there is virtually no shopping there is a draw for most of us Anguillaphiles as it keeps away the cruise ships.

We took a day trip to Anguilla in April. We went to east shoal bay beach for the whole day. It's the prettiest beach we've ever been to. I would say it's worth going for the day.

When I say the word "relaxation", Anguilla comes to mind. Besides the island being so safe, the locals have to be some of the nicest and friendlies people I have ever met.