Anguilla Archives | Rum Therapy

May 2, 2021May 2, 2021

Tropical Islands with the Most Amazing Blue Water

My husband started it. That is, my obsession with tropical beaches with water so blue that you can’t take your eyes off of it. I had always dreamed about experiencing this amazing hue, but hadn’t gotten the chance to see it in person. Until our honeymoon in Hawaii….

Well, let’s just say I was hooked from that first Hawaiian beach we laid eyes on. The clear, azure water was absolutely mesmerizing and just as amazing as I had pictured in my mind. Since then, we have been lucky enough to enjoy many, many other beaches in Hawaii, Florida, the Caribbean, Mexico and the Bahamas. They’re all different and most are beautiful in their own way – but there’s still just something about that blue, blue water.

If you’re looking to find a tropical island to visit with incredibly blue water, here’s our list of 12 Tropical Islands with the Most Amazing Blue Water to start with. Are these the only ones? Heck no. As you can tell by the number of entries, it was very hard to narrow it down and there are so many more islands worthy of a mention. We could have actually named several entire island chains with incredibly blue water – such as the British Virgin Islands, Exuma Cays, Abacos, Turks & Caicos, US Virgin Islands, etc…, but space prohibited listing them all. These are some of our favorites to date for the amazing blue color of their water. Be sure to leave a comment with your favorites below!

Find out more about many of these beautiful island destinations here!

US Virgin Islands – Buck Island, St. Croix

Turks & Caicos – Leeward Beach, Providenciales

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Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC.
All information is correct to our knowledge at the time of writing, but be sure to verify current information before your visit.

February 6, 2014September 21, 2019

What to See and Do in Sandy Ground, Anguilla

Sandy Ground Village and Beach, located on bustling Road Bay on the beautiful island of Anguilla, offers visitors a myriad of opportunities to dine, drink, enjoy live music and enjoy the beautiful beach.

Although Road Bay is Anguilla’s main port for ships, don’t let that scare you off. Sandy Ground Village and Beach, fringed by Road Bay, contains a long expanse of sugar soft sand and turquoise water and some of the best nightlife on the island.

The last time we spent the day in Sandy Ground, we started at one end and walked to the other, enjoying many of the sights and sounds along the way. I’m sure there are a lot of other places to discover in this pretty area, but this should give you an idea of a few things you might want to explore.

We began our day at Elvis’ Beach Bar at the north end of Sandy Ground Beach.

We’d sampled some of Elvis’ stellar rum punch in a previous visit and looked forward to ordering more, but unfortunately they were not open yet, so instead we took the opportunity to lounge on the chairs in front of the bar, checking out the boats and the incredibly blue water. Read more about our visit to Elvis’ here.

From there, we wandered south down the beach and took a quick jog to the left, across the road to check out The Pumphouse. The Pumphouse gets pumping after dark and is a great place for live music, food and fun nightlife.

We headed back to the beach and ended up at Johnno’s. Johnno’s is known for it’s great live jazz and in a previous visit, we spent a great afternoon with our toes in the sand, drinking rum and coke and listening to jazz. Perfect afternoon..

Moving on down the beach we pass the Visitor’s Pier. There are some large ships that anchor in the the deep water at the edge of the bay, boat visitors in and drop them off at the pier. This area hasn’t been all that busy when we were there, but I’m sure it can be.

Shortly past the Visitors Pier sits the Sandbar. The Sandbar has a beautiful setting right on the beach and after 5:00p.m serves up excellent appetizers and drinks.

Onward to Roy’s Bayside Grill. The last stop before the commercial pier, we decided to order a beverage and enjoy the sugar soft sand of the beautiful beach.

We had gotten pretty warm walking in the beautiful sunshine and thought we’d order a Bushwacker. It was delicious and we enjoyed it while sitting under a thatched umbrella on the beach in front of Roy’s.

We fought the temptation to order another, knowing we had a lot more beach to explore and continued south from Roy’s. Now, it looks as if the beach ends at the commercial pier, but, at the time of this writing, we were able to go under the pier and continue on to a very quiet and beautiful stretch of beach past the pier.

Just past the pier is a large boat that has been beached. The color contrast of the boat against the water was stunning…

A little further and we came across some adorable Anguillan children playing in their “backyard”. Lucky kids…

From there it was beach time.

The end of the beach was marked by a large ship that found itself on the rocks during a hurricane in 1995.

Thirsty, we headed back for a refreshing cocktail and some live music.

Are you ready to spend a day in Sandy Ground, Anguilla?

For up to date information on all things Anguilla, be sure to check out our friend Nori’s website who lives on island. Can’t say we’re not just a little jealous….

To see more posts on Anguilla and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

Copyright©Rum Therapy Beaches, Bars & More, Tropical Travel Guide, 2013
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC
All information is correct to our knowledge at the time of writing, but be sure to verify current information before your visit.

October 9, 2013July 25, 2019

Elvis’ Beach Bar, Anguilla

Touted as having the “Best Rum Punch in Anguilla”, we knew we had to make a stop at Elvis’ Beach Bar in Anguilla to check it out. We made our first stop at Elvis’ on a sail to Anguilla a few years back. We anchored in Road Bay and immediately noticed the activity around Elvis’.

Elvis’ sits on a stretch of beautiful sugar soft sand in Sandy Ground Village and offers up views like this of Road Bay.

We had only a very short time to visit that first time to Anguilla, so we sat at the boat bar, sampled a rum punch and then reluctantly headed back to our boat as we had an early morning departure planned. The music and partying ran into the wee morning hours at Elvis’, and we vowed to return someday to experience more.

Fast forward a couple of years and we scheduled a return to Anguilla and Elvis’ was on the list. Unfortunately, due to very poor planning on our part, Elvis’ Beach Bar was CLOSED the day we were there and although we were able to look around and take a few pictures, we were unable to meet Elvis OR test out the fantastical rum punch again…

Sigh.

We spent a few minutes relaxing on the chairs in front of Elvis’, and then moved on to one of the other great beach bars in Sandy Ground.

Elvis, we’ll be back! Can you have a few rum punches ready for us?

Have you enjoyed a rum punch at Elvis’ Beach bar?

Find Elvis’ Beach Bar on our Anguilla Map

To see more posts on Anguilla and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

Copyright©Rum Therapy Beaches, Bars & More, Tropical Travel Guide, 2013
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

August 8, 2013July 25, 2019

Gwen’s Reggae Grill, Anguilla

Due to erosion, Gwen’s Reggae Grill moved to the other end of Shoal Bay. Be sure to stop by and visit her at the new location!

On a prime beachfront spot on the exquisitely beautiful Upper Shoal Bay in Anguilla sits a brightly colored beach bar called Gwen’s Reggae Grill.

Gwen’s has been through some adversity – a fire that nearly burned the building to the ground and severe beach erosion which has caused the loss of some of the beautiful palms in the area. Regardless, the owner’s, have re-built and continue to offer good beverages & food, a friendly atmosphere and great parties with live music on Sundays.

Due to the erosion of the beach, the deck of the bar sits right at the edge of the ocean which, when we were there, made it a great place to sit and sip Gwen’s tasty and potent rum punch and look out over the stunning beauty of Shoal Bay.

We worked up a thirst while walking down the gorgeous beach and headed back for another round, but this time we enjoyed our cocktail while lounging in Gwen’s great hammocks on the beach.

There’s parking in the back of Gwen’s but it can get crowded, so we’d recommend getting there early. After all, you’ll want to get the hammock with the best view too :)

Find Gwen’s Reggae Grill on our Anguilla Map

To see more posts on Anguilla and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

July 2, 2013July 25, 2019

Dune Preserve, Anguilla

On an picturesque stretch of sand on beautiful Rendezvous Bay, Anguilla, sits Dune Preserve, an ever changing bar/restaurant/music lounge owned by famous reggae musician Bankie Banx.

Dune Preserve sits between the beautiful CuisinArt Resort and Spa and its Greg Norman designed golf course, and is ever changing because owner Bankie and friends continually add to the work of art with predominately salvaged and discarded wood and other materials found in the area.

We loved checking out the funky decor and chatting with a few of the locals hanging out there the day we visited, but we’d love to go back someday to enjoy the live music.

The Dune Preserve is home to the annual Moonsplash Festival, a several day event featuring world class musicians and usually a few surprise guests. Apparently both Jimmy Buffet and John Mayer have stopped in to jam at past festivals.

Great place to enjoy a tasty libation and food along with a fantastic view of Rendezvous Bay and St. Martin and if you can time it right, some great live music.

Find out more by visiting the Bankie Banx Website.

Find Dune Preserve on our Anguilla Map

To see more posts on Anguilla and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

May 31, 2013July 25, 2019

Prickly Pear Cays, Anguilla

About six miles from Road Bay, Anguilla lies a set of uninhabited islands called Prickly Pear Cays.

During a recent sail trip, our Captain suggested we make a stop there to enjoy some time in the sun on a gorgeous, quiet beach. The backside of the Cays were rocky with little vegetation.

But…as soon as we rounded the corner….wow. A beautiful cove of clear vibrant blue water fringed by a long stretch of very white sand.

We could hardly wait to dive in an swim ashore. The Captain anchored close to the picturesque point.

After lounging in the water and enjoying the floating bar, we took our time kicking and floating our way in to the beach.

And enjoyed exploring the small cay. There’s a small beach bar called Prickly Pear Bar & Restaurant where you can grab some food and drink, watch the sugar birds and lizards and lounge in the beach chairs.

We spent most of our time that day walking the sugar sand beach and floating in the calm water.

Excursions to Prickly Pear are available either from Road Bay, Anguilla or neighboring St. Maarten/St. Martin. Snorkeling was good out a little farther at the reef, but we had a hard time keeping our head under water when the view was so beautiful above….

To see more posts on Anguilla and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

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Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

May 15, 2013July 25, 2019

Rendezvous Bay, Anguilla

Have you ever seen a beach so white and so beautiful that it was almost blinding?

During our recent trip to Antigua we had Rendezvous Bay on our list of places to visit. Not actually to see the beach as much as to visit a famous beach bar (which we’ll talk more about later). I mean, we had just spent time on Shoal Bay and Upper Shoal Bay earlier. Nothing could be a as beautiful as those two beaches – could it? Little did we know…

We parked at the Anguilla Great House and walked through to the beach. It was a bit breezy that day so we kept our heads down a bit to keep the sand out of our eyes and we were busy checking out the pretty grounds of the hotel. When we got to the beach and looked up we let out a little gasp.To the left was a long, long expanse of super white beautiful sand and extremely blue, blue water. So white and so blue that it was really almost blinding – yet we couldn’t take our eyes off of it.

To the right was an even longer stretch. The beach was nearly secluded – just a few people playing and enjoying the gorgeousness. Two miles of secluded white sand fringing beautiful turquoise blue water and a great view of nearby St. Martin. Stunning.

We made our way to the right, intent on finding the beach bar we were searching for, but moved slowly to try and take it all in.

Halfway down the beach we walked by a colorful and fun looking bar called The Sun Shine Shack. Wanting to stop and sample a beverage, we decided to continue down the beach and stop on our way back. (We did and highly recommend stopping in to say hi to Garvey and to enjoy a rum punch or two!)

Further down the beach we came across the beautiful CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa. CuisinArt sits on an amazing long stretch of beautiful Rendezvous Bay.

By now we were getting thirsty and just in time. Just a short way past CuisinArt we spotted the beach bar that we were originally hoping to see – Dune Preserve.

We enjoyed a rum punch at Dune Preserve while looking back at the beauty of Rendezvous Bay and realized that this is one beach we’d like to spend a lot more time on…a LOT more time…

If you’re heading to Anguilla, we’d recommend Rendezvous Bay for swimming, sunbathing, walking and enjoying time at the Sun Shine Shack and Dune Preserve.

Find Rendezvous Bay on our Anguilla Map

To see more posts on Anguilla and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

April 17, 2013July 25, 2019

Blanchards Beach Shack, Anguilla

Located on idyllic Meads Bay, Anguilla, a colorful establishment called Blanchards Beach Shack doles out scrumptious food and drinks for those enjoying some time in the beautiful sand and turquoise water.

Blanchards Beach Shack is located next door to Blanchards Restaurant, undoubtedly one of the finest restaurants on Anguilla. Both are owned by Bob and Melinda Blanchard who are originally from Vermont and New York. They are entrepreneurs who have successfully started a number of businesses, and one day decided to sell everything, move to Anguilla and open a restaurant. They’ve written a book about their adventure entitled A Trip to the Beach: Living on Island Time in the Caribbean, which from all accounts, is an entertaining and enlightening account of the joys and challenges of selling it all and moving to a tropical island.

Blanchards Beach Shack opened in 2011, and in Bob and Melinda’s words, “On an island known for its expensive restaurants, we offer a delicious alternative in a casual, picture-postcard setting.”

We ordered a couple of drinks, an M.B.L.T and a Cheeseburger (see the menu here) and enjoyed to beautiful Caribbean colors before us.

After enjoying our meal, we grabbed our beverages and headed for the beach.

Beach chairs and umbrellas are available for rent, or…

…you can just plop in the sugar soft sand, like we did.

Stunningly beautiful beach and great food and drinks – what’s not to like about Blanchard’s Beach Shack. Hope to be back soon…

Visit their website for more information:
Blanchards Beach Shack

Find Blanchards Beach Shack on our Anguilla Map

To see more posts on Anguilla and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

Copyright©Rum Therapy Beaches, Bars & More, Tropical Travel Guide, 2013
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

March 2, 2013July 25, 2019

Shoal Bay, Anguilla

If you were to describe a perfect beach, Shoal Bay, Anguilla just might be it. The sugar soft, powder white sand contrasted by an almost electric turquoise blue colored ocean is so beautiful that it’s hard to look away. In addition to its incredible beauty, Shoal Bay offers good swimming, several good bars and restaurants and the ability to rent beach chairs and umbrellas if desired.

Beautiful Shoal Bay

Anguilla Map
(www.fiftybest.com)

Located on the north side of Anguilla, Shoal Bay is probably the most talked about beach on Anguilla. You’ll find the middle of Shoal Bay to be the busiest because that’s where the majority of accommodations, restaurants and bars are located. If you want to find a quiet piece of sand on which to relax , hike east or west from the main part of the beach.

Finding a quiet spot

Upper Shoal Bay

Access: There are several access points to Shoal Bay including the road going to Tropical Sunset Beach Bar, the main access road to Uncle Ernie’s BBQ and the road to the former Gwen’s Reggae Bar & Grill (Upper Shoal Bay – but Gwen’s has since moved). In each case parking fairly close to the beach.

The former site of Gwen’s Reggae Grill, Upper Shoal Bay

Beach: Two miles of white, sugar soft sand. Good beach for walking. Ocean bottom is sandy and usually good for swimming. Gentle access into ocean. Some snorkeling in seagrass areas.

Upper Shoal Bay

Amenities: Restaurants, bars, beach chairs and umbrellas to rent, no public restrooms but restrooms for patrons in some of the beach bars and restaurants.

Lower Shoal Bay

Recommended for: stunning scenery, good swimming, good walking beach, relaxing, sunning, playing in the sand, quiet – but not totally secluded.

Cappuccino at Serenity Beach Cottages on Upper Shoal Bay

One of several hammocks at the former site of Gwen’s Reggae Grill, Upper Shoal Bay

Shoal Bay, Anguilla

Find Shoal Bay on our Anguilla Map

To see more posts on Anguilla and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory