BVI Travel Destination: Anegada Island
“Escape to paradise on Anegada Island. Discover untouched beauty and endless adventures. Book your dream getaway now!“
Anegada is one of the archipelago’s most notable islands due to the fact that it is composed almost entirely of coral and limestone, in contrast to the bulk of the other islands in the region, which were formed by volcanic activity. In point of fact, the highest point on Anegada is just around 28 feet above average sea level.
Due to the fact that the island is surrounded by breathtaking reefs, underwater caves, tunnel constructions, and historic shipwrecks, it is a popular location for those who like snorkeling and scuba diving. You should be prepared to witness native species such as bonefish, stingrays, needlefish, and parrot fish. Let’s check out the past of the island and discuss a number of fascinating facts about this mystical location.
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History of The Anegada Island
Anegada is one of the islands that are included in the British Virgin Islands. Although it is the second largest island in the chain after Tortola, it has a permanent population of less than 200 people and has an area of 15 square miles (38 square kilometers), making it the least populated of the main islands.
Tortola is the largest island in the group. In addition to this, it is separated from the other islands in the chain by a distance of around 25 kilometers (16 miles) of blue water. A long time ago, the British Virgin Islands’ barrier reef, which is the third-largest in the Caribbean and guards the scarcely developed, pancake-flat, and occasionally inaccessible territory of the Virgin Islands, was an afterthought when it came to making travel arrangements by land or boat. In the few cases when there were guests, they normally only remained for a single day. Because there were no boats operating on all of the weekend’s days, finding something to do was practically impossible.
However, things are different now. The island of Anegada, which all of the projections said would be entirely wiped out by Hurricane Irma, was spared, although the neighboring islands of Tortola and Virgin Gorda were utterly wiped off.Â
Because of this, the itineraries in the British Virgin Islands have been significantly altered. Charter yachts are altering their whole itinerary in order to stay in each location for a total of five days rather than just one. After a year of severe destruction, the small number of boutique hotels and motels on the island are reporting record-breaking seasons.
However, it just relates a small fraction of the story. Because there is now a daily boat service to the island, visitors who were only planning to stay for one day may now make their trips into weekend getaways. Anegada is about to step into the limelight as the enigmatic “drowned island” of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) finally comes into focus.
“Discover the captivating past of Anegada Island and uncover its rich history. Join us on a journey through time and witness the stories that shaped this enchanting paradise. Book your tour now and step into Anegada’s fascinating past!“
Tips for Travelers Going to the Island of Anegada
If you are going to Anegada for the first time, then here are a few essential tips you should know beforehand – so you can make the most of your trip!
How Can You Reach The Island?
In order to get to Anegada, you will need to fly into the Beef Island Airport on the island of Tortola. You may get there from either San Juan in Puerto Rico or Saint Thomas on the island of Saint Thomas. You have the option of taking a boat to Anegada from there, which sails on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at certain times, most of the time in the morning and afternoon. Alternatively, you may take a chartered plane to Anegada via a number of airlines.
Due to the short duration of the flight (ten minutes), it is standard practice to contract one of the regional air charter companies for a private excursion. Examples of such firms are Island Birds and Fly BVI. There is also a regularly scheduled air service provided by VI Airlink; however, given that flights are only operated when there are enough passengers registered for them, it is preferable to make reservations in advance and confirm the day before departure.
The ferries only make their trips once every three days. The one-way fare for seniors is $45, for adults it’s $55 (or $50 if you book with a group of five or more), and for children it’s $35.
People who have access to their own yachts and boats often sail to the island. However, visitors should exercise extreme care while doing so since the island is encircled on all sides by reefs. Because Anegada is a low coral atoll that is located a few miles off the main island chain, it is not truly visible from Virgin Gorda, which is where you are most likely to start (although the opposite is not true; once you are there, you can see Virgin Gorda, Tortola, and Jost Van Dyke quite fine).
Anegada is a popular tourist destination in the British Virgin Islands. Due to the fact that the reefs, the distance, and the low profile, which preclude uncomplicated line of sight navigation, taking a boat trip to Anegada is a more exciting experience than sailing to any of the other islands in the British Virgin Islands (BVIs). There is a far lower volume of boat travel and, for that matter, a significantly lower population overall in comparison to the other principal islands.
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Best Time to Travel to Anegada Island
If you want to avoid the throngs of people who visit this island during the winter holidays, the best time to go is between the months of September and November.
In spite of the fact that fall is the wettest season, it is also the time of year when hotel prices are at their lowest and provide the most attractive discounts. It is important to keep in mind that hurricane season runs from June to November, so if you are planning a trip for the summer or fall, you should pay close attention to the forecast.
The visibility underwater is at its absolute worst during the summer months, therefore sailors should arrange their visit around the Spring Regatta in March, and divers should schedule their vacation during the winter or spring months instead.
The 5 Best Hotels in Anegada Island
Wondering where you can stay when visiting this beautiful island? Well, guess what?! This island has some of the best hotels that are just waiting for you! Check out some of the opinions below.
- Anegada Beach Club provides plush seaside tents to give guests the impression that they are one with nature, even though the club is not an authentic camping destination.
- Neptune’s Treasure is a company that is operated by a family, and it offers guests the opportunity to stay in quaint cottages with verandas and ocean breezes for a more authentic experience. The Soares family labored for a total of thirty-five years to establish their hotel.
- The Anegada Reef Hotel is a modest hotel consisting of twenty guest rooms that is run by Lawrence and Lorraine. The majority of the rooms provide a relaxing view of the ocean. As a direct consequence of this, it is feasible to exit the cottage and go directly onto the beach.
- The Cow Wreck Beach Resort is located directly on the sandy beach, and it has brilliantly colored villas as well as colorful deck chairs that are quite Instagrammable.
- Big Bamboo is located in close proximity to Loblolly beach, which is highly known and has a humorous name. A place of peace and quiet has been cultivated by Aubrey and Diane Levon on the northern shores of Anegada.
“Experience luxury on Anegada Island. Discover the top 5 hotels for your perfect getaway. Book now!“
Amazing Things to Do in Anegada
A trip to Anegada would be incomplete without exploring every inch of the island’s beauty and spending time doing traditional island activities. Here are some things that are a must to do in Anegada!
Eat The Infamous Anegada Lobster
Anegada is most famous for its lobster, and rightfully so. Anegada is recognized as the “lobster capital of the Caribbean,” and it is also the location of the annual Lobster Festival, which is held in November in the British Virgin Islands.
Every tourist who visits the island should be sure to try the country’s most famous product, the lobster. Where exactly can I get a taste of the regional delicacy? It will be difficult for you to locate a menu in this establishment that does not include lobster, and I really doubt that such a menu even exists.
Do not pass up this opportunity! You may have it for lunch or dinner, grilled, blackened, thermidor-style, in a wrap or a salad, or any of those other preparations. In consecutive evenings, Scott had two outstanding lobster meals: lobster thermidor at Anegada Beach Club and charred lobster at the Lobster Trap. Both dishes were prepared using lobster.
Spend Time in The Natural Environment of The Place
Not only is there a rich marine life on Anegada, but there is also a wide range of other types of species to be found on the island.
In addition to turtles, lobsters, and a variety of other animals, visitors to Windlass Bight have reported spotting nurse sharks in the area. You might also travel to the flamingo observation spot, where you can peer into the distance via a telescope to observe a swarm of pink birds.
If you have a passion for reptiles, the Iguana Sanctuary is the place for you to go. Its goal is to bring back to health an iguana population that is now considered to be in a critical state of extinction.
The island’s sanctuary provides assistance for conservation efforts in collaboration with a wide variety of international agencies.
“Dive into adventure at Horseshoe Reef! Book your scuba diving experience now!”
Scuba diving at the Horseshoe Reef
The most well-known spot on Anegada for the sport of snorkeling. It is the third largest reef in the world and is known for the beautiful coral and numerous marine life that can be found there.
It also has tunnels and caves that may be explored when snorkeling or diving. However, you will need a boat in order to get there. Those who are interested should make plans for a boat excursion with an experienced skipper who can show them the way to go about doing things the right way.
Gulp a PainKiller
In the Caribbean, where many of the islands have their own traditional alcoholic beverage that includes rum, rum is without a doubt the most popular kind of alcoholic drink.
The “painkiller,” which is essentially a pina colada in liquid form and was made famous by Jost Van Dyke’s Soggy Dollar Bar, is the preferred alcoholic beverage in the British Virgin Islands. In Anegada, the popular drink from the British Virgin Islands (BVI) may still be ordered at Cow Wreck Beach Bar, which also offers its own take on the classic libation.
Grab a drink and spend the day kicking back and relaxing in one of their Adirondack chairs or loungers.
“Quench your thirst, fuel your body. Try Gulp, the ultimate PainKiller for your taste buds!“
Discover the Indigenous People's History of The Island
Anegada’s history may be traced back to the Arawak people, who inhabited the region many hundreds of years ago, as shown by the conch shell mounds located on the easternmost tip of the island.
The fossilized conch shells have been piled up into hills that range in height from one foot to 10 feet and are organized in a mountainous pattern. The best method to see them is from a close range, which is possible if you go near them on a tour and see them up close.
KEY TAKEAWAYS ...🛪
On Anegada, nature enthusiasts will find a lot to admire thanks to the island’s largely isolated environment, which is home to a variety of unique native species (such as rock iguanas, wild orchids, lush tropical flora, and colorful exotic birds).
During your journey, you shouldn’t miss the stunning views that can be had from Nutmeg Point and the nature trail that can be found at Bones Bight. You want some peace and quiet at the beach, but you also want to be able to swim and sunbathe, right? Take in the serene scenery along the shorelines of Cow Wreck Beach, Flash of Beauty, Bones Bight, and Windlass Bight.
On Anegada, there is a plethora of human history to be unearthed, including the remnants of many Spanish galleons, American privateers, and British galleons, in addition to ancient Arawak conch mounds located on the East End of the island. The Community, the main settlement on the island, is home to a variety of hotels and retail outlets that are distinctively decorated in an island style.
