I am considering a trip to Anguilla. Everyone says the beaches are some of the most beautiful in the Caribbean, but I have read in other posts that the off-beach snorkeling in Anguilla is not very good. Anyone agree or disagree with this? Trying to get a general consesus. I've snorkeled in St. John a couple times, and it's been awesome. I don't expect the snorkeling in Aguilla to compare with St. John, but I would hope that it was still decent. If you have any experience snorkeling in Anguilla, I'd appreciate your input. Thanks!

Much has been written on this forum about the (lack of) off-beach snorkeling on Anguilla. If you do a search you'll find scores of threads covering this subject and all come to the same conclusion - it's not all that spectacular and certainly nowhere near as good as you found on St. John.

The best off-beach snorkeling on Anguilla is at Shoal Bay East - the reef there is located about 150' off shore. It's good but relatively small - you can snorkel the entire reef in about 30 minutes. There's some decent snorkeling at Little Bay but that beach is accessible only by boat unless you are willing to use a rope ladder to to climb down (and back up) a 25' to 30' cliff to reach the beach, which by the way is quite small.

The best snorkeling in the area is off of Prickley Pear Island but you can only get there by boat. There are a couple of operators who run daily excursions to the island for a fee (trip usually includes lunch). You can snorkel off the beach at Silly Cay but all you'll see is Turtle Grass and very small fish.

That's really about it - sorry I can't give you anything more encouraging but if off-beach snorkeling is a high priority for you Anguilla is not the island to visit.

Thanks A_Traveller. I appreciate the info. Have you snorkeled Prickly Pear Island? We'd be willing to take a day trip over there if it's worth it. Any other nearby islands with good snorkeling? Thanks again.

Yes, I've snorkeled Prickley Pear several times. It's the best in the area but does not compare to what you saw on St. John. We have an enjoyable day trip there because we always go with some friends - not just for the snorkeling. There's really no other islands nearby for snorkeling except a small "sandbar" island (sorry can't remember the name) a few miles off of Anguilla that has some snorkeling - nothing great though. Like I said, Anguilla doesn't have great snorkeling.

We go to Anguilla every year and are avid snorkelers. Sandy Hill Cove has reasonable snorkeling. There are other decent locations but it depends on the time of the year you are going and whether the waters will be calmer and also how much off the beaten path you are willing to go to find good snorkeling. Other spots include Junks Hole and various spots off of Gumbs Highway in between Blowing Pt. and Little Harbour. We too have been to St. John but still appreciate AXA more than St. John

NM: Could you elaborate on your preference for Anguilla, please? E.g., where do you stay on that island? Where do you stay on St John? I ask because I've long wanted to visit Anguilla but have avoided doing so because of the not-good snorkeling. We're in our 70's, by the way, so aren't any longer into scrambling over rocks and coral to get to good snorkeling. These days need the easy beach access (don't enjoy having to take boat). Problem I see with Anguilla is that if we go I'd like to stay at CJ, but there's no snorkeling there, right? We love just to go in and out of the water all day long, snorkel for half an hour one time, two hours the next, 15 min the next, etc. (a la Caneel Bay beaches) Is there any fine place to stay on Anguilla where we'd have that kind of access? Also: does the island have any physical handsomeness aside from the beach/water? Thanks!

poss--On St. John we stayed at the Westin (it was then a Hyatt) and had a rental car. In Anguilla we stay in a villa and drive all over the island to get to good snorkeling. Sandy Hill Cove actually is a pleasant swimming and snorkeling beach that is fringed with villas over the hillside or Shoal Bay East which has both hotels/condo's and villas(you should check out AXA websites to see details on villas in Sandy Hill or Shoal Bay as I don't know which ones are appropriate for a couple). There also are the Sandy Hill Condos that are also for rent and are adjacent to Sandy Hill Beach. While Anguilla is mostly about beaches it is also about the people, the most friendly in the Carib. and the restaurants are superb. There also are decent hikes and some nice art galleries. It is a very low-key island for people that love the ocean, beaches, great people and food. We have traveled all over the Carib. and haven't found anything better. Best of luck.

NM - is Sandy Hill Cove the one on the Southeast side of the island? We are looking in to renting a villa there for my birthday next year and nothing would make my husband happier than decent snorkeling off the beach. ( Though we do plan to go to Prickly Pear or Shoal Bay as well. ) We know it's not the world's best snorkeling but we love the island.