Anguilla — Five Miles from Sint Maarten, a World Apart

Five miles off Saint-Martin's northern coast, the 35-square-mile island of Anguilla shares deep cultural and family ties with its neighbor. Discovered in 1495 by Christopher Columbus, the island's economy ran on salt ponds for centuries until tourism and offshore investment made both obsolete.

Anguilla is an island of soft rolling hills and wide, largely empty beaches — genuinely undeveloped by Caribbean standards and consistently rated among the best in the region. Several upscale resorts attract the kind of guests who can relax without drawing attention, which is precisely the point.

Cross five miles of water from Sint Maarten and the rules change immediately. Anguilla is a British Overseas Territory — its 17,400 residents are British citizens, not just British subjects. Traffic drives on the left, as it does in the UK. The Eastern Caribbean Dollar is the official currency, though US Dollars are widely accepted. Anguilla rejoined the United Kingdom in 1969 after years of negotiations to escape a politically uncomfortable union with St. Kitts and Nevis — a separation the island has never regretted.

Ferries depart from Marigot throughout the day for the 20-minute crossing. Check current departure times directly with the ferry operators as schedules change seasonally. Private charters from Simpson Bay are also available, with the option to explore uninhabited islets along the way. Several daily flights make the crossing in under 10 minutes. A passport is required in both directions.

To explore Anguilla at your own pace, rent a car from Junie's Car Rental — ask for Junior or Nancy.