We are still on the quest to see the best of Anegada. The first day trip we took (as a charter from Virgin Gorda last year)--it rained the whole time and we didn't get to do/see much, except eat lobster and talk to our tourmates under Big Bamboo shelter. Our second trip was from Tortola recently, and while the sun was shining, the wind made snorkeling impossible. Three things of note: (1) We took Smiths ferry from Tortola to Anegada and we were the only 2 tourists on the ferry (until a couple jumped on at the Virgin Gorda stop). Absolutely fine by us, just unexpected. Most on the ferries were locals going to/from work. Also, the ferry only goes from Tortola to Anegada on Sun/M/W/F, so options are limited. Our ferry left around 7am and arrived in Anegada at 8:30am. On the way back, we left at 5pm and were back in Road Town at 6:30.(2) Last time we were catered to by our tour guide but this time we rented a car and saw the island on our own. We saw much more this way and feel like we got a better sense of the island, from the locals at the Settlement, to the touristy spots of Loblolly Bay, Flash of Beauty, the Big Bamboo, Cow Wreck Beach, and Anegada Beach Club (unlike any other accommodation that we saw). We got a last minute car rental from S&K rentals near the ferry dock, even though Anegada Reef Hotel and most others had sold out of rental cars for the day.(3) You just can't predict Anegada. Since the ferry schedules are limited (as were our travel options, since we were only in Tortola for 4 days), it's hard to know when to visit there and get good weather. We learned of a wind site that we thought we'd share. Too late to be helpful for us this year, but hopefully it will help you! www.windguru.czAnegada really is worth a visit, though I feel like we are missing the best parts so far -- diving, snorkeling, or even seeing it by air.
Went over via DiveBVI. Those people on the boat where amazing! They told us about all the islands we passed; animals, fish, people, culture, etc. On the island we took the snorkel tour, and it was a blast. The island is fun, and it's nice to go to an island that isn't developed yet. Great beach and fresh seafood for lunch.
Pristine white sand beaches with a number of excellent restaurants. Good snorkeling at Lobolly, good relaxing at CowWreck, and great BBQ at Anegada Reef Hotel.
This is a fab place if your goal is relaxing. Not much more to do, but it is beautiful and yummy food, esp. lobster.
Lots of beaches to walk and collect shells. Restaurants where outdoor dining is a must, no need for shoes, just order your reef lobster earlier in the day.
Anegada is a coral atoll which you reach by sailing on a good day (don't try it if the forecast is bad.) For a while there is nothing to see and you hope you are on course. Then suddenly the tops of trees appear. The channel through the reef is a little tricky - watch those red and green buoys carefully. You can stay in the area where you docked, or hop on a taxi to Loblolly Beach on the other side of the island for good snorkeling in a large reef. (The reef that surrounds Anegada is the third largest in the world, after the Great Barrier Reef and Belize.)On the way to Loblolly, where there are showers and a bar, gift store and ice cream cafe, you will see Anegada's resident flamingos. If you are willing to pay a little more, the driver will take you to the iguana sanctuary at the government building in The Settlement, the small town on the island.We returned to near where we had docked for a lobster dinner. I found it disappointing. It was expensive ($63) and the lobster was not to my taste. These lobsters are more like giant crayfish and much of their flesh has a mealy texture. I'm not really complaining because Anegada is a little bit of paradise and that alone is worth the price of the meal.
I have sailed the BVI a few times, the last time was the best I had my wife her sister and my brother in-law with me on this trip. We stopped at Anegada for the day and went ashore to find a few shops, a bar along with a small restaurant. The waitress was taking reservations for that nights dinner we added 4 for that night. They had driver with a pickup truck taking swimmers over to the other side of the Island to swim, snorkel, and we went. This was one of the best beaches I have ever been too, great for swimming and snorkeling. We found a little Tiki Bar on the beach with the best Mango Punch drink ever. After the swim we went back to the dock area for dinner, they had tables all set up on the beach for dinner. Dinner was BQ grilled warm water Lobster under the stars, you could not ask for more best meal ever. A must do in your life time.
We sailed the BVI's for the third time this winter but this is the first time we made the trip north to this island. We had a 47' monohull so we had to anchor for the night. On shore there is a great beach bar, several cute shops, and a hotel. We intended to rent bicycles or mopeds but got too late of a start. We talked to others who had just completed a ride and said they had gone to the other side and swam and snorkeled. We made dinner reservations for grilled lobster and ate on the restaurant deck under a nearly full moon. The conch chowder was superb.
Anegada is very laid back and has just a different feel. I personally love it there. Loblolly beach on the north side is beautiful, not crowded at all. You can walk for miles on the north side. The snorkelling there depends very much on the wind direction but you can have easy access directly off of the beach. The day we went in February the wind had gone to the south so the usual rollers from the east were quite subdued , the water was clear and there was no rip tide. We saw a lot of marine life. I have seen some considerable rip tides there, depending on the size and directions of the swell so you have to be aware. Loblolly side has a few restaurants serving local lobster or Conch fritters. Lobster dinner at the Anegada Reef Hotel has always been good though I'd like to check out the other places on the next trip.
The island is simply perfect if you love endless beaches, white sand, bathing etc. Stay a couple of days and enjoy the relaxing life on the beach with nothing to do but to take it easy. In the evenings you will enjoy the wonderful sunset and the excellent sea food.