Photos

A popular spot for snorkeling, Little Bay is a secluded cove only accessible by boat. Anguilla is home to many ecologically important coral reefs and beaches.

Anguilla, one of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean, is composed of scrub-covered coral and limestone, which can be seen in this photograph of Limestone Bay. The island's many bays and pristine beaches draw visitors from around the world, making tourism Anguilla's main industry.

The village of Sandy Ground is Anguilla's main port and harbor. It contains a large salt pond that is part of Anguilla's salt industry. While Anguilla's salt resources are smaller than other area islands, it benefits from its more accessible location for shipping.

Sailboats at Sandy Ground before the annual Carnival Boat Race. Every year Anguilla holds a two-week-long celebration of Emancipation Day (beginning of August). While the island hosts many boat races throughout the year, the Champion of Champions Race during this celebration is the culminating event. Boaters from many neighboring islands, as well as from Anguilla, start in Sandy Ground and end in Island Bay. Spectators, nicknamed landracers, gather on the beaches to watch and picnic.

The land mass seen across Rendezvous Bay is the island St. Martin, which is separated from Anguilla by the Anguilla Channel. Rendezvous Bay houses the longest beach in Anguilla and is the site of the Battle of Anguilla (1796). The engagement took place during the Napoleonic Wars; the French were dispatched from St. Martin and landed on the beach of Rendezvous Bay. The invaders destroyed Anguilla's plantations, which by 1821 had almost entirely disappeared from the island. Although, the French were eventually routed by the British, the island's plantations never recovered, forcing many Anguillans into maritime occupations.

Soil on the island is of poor quality making it difficult to grow most crops locally. The CuisinArt Resort at Rendezvous Bay has a 1,670 sq m (18,000 sq ft) hydroponics farm, unique to the Caribbean. The greenhouses are built to withstand 177 kmph (110 mph) winds, common during hurricane season. The farm grows vegetables, lettuce, and a variety of herbs.

Shoal Bay beach is a popular choice of tourists and is located on the northern coast of the island.

A stingray in Shoal Bay. Snorkeling is a popular activity around the island due to the presence of many reefs teeming with wildlife.

A variety of coral types beckon to snorkelers in Shoal Bay.

A school of fish parades before a coral mount in Shoal Bay.