Anguilla: Postcard-Perfect Paradise
A Catamaran Trip To Anguilla/Prickly Pear, The Only Way To Go... The Perfect Day
Tranquility Wrapped In Blue
Business and Pleasure

Anguilla: Postcard-Perfect Paradise

Located just nine miles north of St. Maarten/St. Martin, Anguilla stretches languidly like a long eel basking in the warm Caribbean sun. It is the most northerly of the Leeward Islands—and its beaches are considered to be among the best in the Caribbean.

Anguilla was first sighted by Columbus in 1493, but it was never colonized since the cannibalistic and warlike Carib Indians had control of the island. English settlers from the nearby island of St. Kitts arrived in 1650, followed by the Irish and then some unsuccessful attempts at invasion by the French. The island had little rainfall and poor soil, so the system of plantations did not flourish on Anguilla as it did on many other islands. Therefore, slaves were allowed to leave the island to find work elsewhere. They eventually bought their families’ freedom and returned to settle on Anguilla. Most significant in her history is the fierce, independent nature of the Anguillans, who resented being governed in conjunction with St. Kitts and Nevis. Anguilla’s claim to fame: This is the only colony ever to stage a revolution to remain a part of the British Crown, as she is today.

This little paradise on earth is just a short sail away from St. Maarten/St. Martin. Truly spectacular from sunrise to sunset, Anguilla has many hidden caves and tranquil bays. Day-trips are made unforgettable on sail catamarans Lambada and Bluebeard from Simpson Bay. As sails unfurl and the friendly crew serves rum punches, lucky guests get to enjoy the tropical scenery and glistening beaches gliding by. Alluring turquoise waters summon snorkelers and swimmers. At lunchtime, the aromas of barbecue chicken, fish and ribs lure hungry passengers to the table. In time-suspended bliss, the day finally stretches to a close with a relaxing sail back to St. Maarten, accompanied by joyful Caribbean rhythms. This day out is at the top of every vacation activity list. Public ferries also run to Anguilla from the French side daily.

Anguilla has a favorite spot for everyone. Head to gorgeous Shoal Bay, lined with beach bar restaurants like Madeariman, Ku and Uncle Ernie’s, which serve up tasty meals and ice-cold cocktails. A small reef offshore has great snorkeling, and an established scuba shop—Shoal Bay Scuba—has been operating dive trips to Anguilla’s dive sites for 17 years. If you’re a seafood lover, the serene Island Harbour is home to Smitty’s Bar and Restaurant, a landmark in Anguilla with the best lobster and crayfish prices. For nature lovers, Scilly Cay has low, native island shrubbery and a tiny sandy beach. But it is the marvels cooked up fresh on the grill and the friendly staff that will entice you back to Scilly Cay. If you prefer to stay far from the madding crowd, Rendezvous Bay offers great views of St. Maarten and a vast stretch of sand for strolling and shell collecting. Or make a stop at Road Bay or Sandy Ground, as it is also known, to see what the buzz is all about. Johnno’s Beach Bar offers jazz on Sundays, while Elvis’ Beach Bar draws a fun late-afternoon crowd. No one to date can surpass Roy’s lobster bisque, or roast beef and Yorkshire pudding at Roy’s Bayside Grill.

Anguilla has several offshore islets and cays, including Sandy Island, Dog Island, Scrub Island and Sombrero, which features a lighthouse. The most famous of all the cays is Prickly Pear, which is undoubtedly postcard-perfect. The Lambada and Bluebeard sailing catamarans approach the area through a narrow gap and go into a natural lagoon, giving guests their first sightings of pure white sand, a palm-fringed beach and long, dark reefs beneath crystal-clear waters. The thatched-roofed restaurant on the beach, Prickly Pear Beach Bar and Restaurant, delivers plates filled with great local fare. The Tiki Hut is where you’ll find Allan, the self-proclaimed barbecue king, bartender, postmaster general and mayor of the island. He serves ice-cold beer and refreshing rum punches, and also keeps the blender buzzing with a variety of frozen coladas and daiquiris. Sugarbirds dart through the restaurant, some of them brave enough to eat tidbits and sugar off your hand. A stroll along the beach and around the bend allows explorers a peek at nesting birds—and at certain times, tracks from nesting turtles. The island is a natural marine reserve and an excellent day sail destination.

Anguilla is also hailed as an exclusive getaway for celebrities and the fabulously wealthy. Magnificent resorts like CuisinArt, Cap Juluca and Mallihouana provide tropical indulgences where guests can choose seclusion or inclusion. Treat yourself to a day at the CuisinArt Resort & Spa, starting with the pleasant company of Dr. Howard Resh and a tour of his unbelievable hydroponic gardens. Then head straight for the resort’s Mediterraneo restaurant, where you can sit poolside and surrounded by bougainvillea, and taste the fresh bounty from the gardens, lobster wraps and a chilled mojito. Another choice is a visit to the Venus Spa, where you can rejuvenate your body and mind with a diverse menu of spa treatments.

Anguilla also boasts quite a few hiking trails, with rough paths that go through bushes and rocky coastlines and require hiking boots. Because of the intensity of the sun, hikes should start early and end at around 10 a.m. One of Anguilla’s secrets lies in the Katouche Valley, where a forest grows tall and lush with hanging vines, enabling the island to feature a small rainforest. Trails lead to the Iguana Cave, an old well and a small salt pond. Hiking with a buddy is always recommended.

Anguilla’s local sailboat racing is quite a spectacle to behold. Prime racing occurs throughout the year but is at its best during the Summer Fest and August Monday. Gleaming with fresh paint and awesome sails, the crews launch their vessels from the beaches in Road Bay. After the frenetic launch amid much yelling and bantering (Anguillans are very serious about their racing), boats pull away and round the headland. As the wind drops and the boats become sluggish, crew members quite unbelievably throw themselves off their boats to lighten the load and give their vessels an advantage. Good planning ensures that support boats are there to rescue the heroes.

Anguilla allows you to revel in a postcard-perfect paradise of white deserted beaches and warm turquoise waters. No invitations are required, so what are you waiting for?

A Catamaran Trip To Anguilla/Prickly Pear, The Only Way To Go... The Perfect Day

It's no wonder that guests clamor for a seat at the rails for their first glimpse of the spectacular waters. White sails stretch out above and sea birds dip low over the water, scouring for food. Looking at the cloudless horizon, it's hard to tell where the ocean blue begins and ends.

As the boat sails effortlessly into a quiet bay, different parties emerge—some for snorkeling the abundant reefs, others for tanning or exploring the beach. Yet others choose to claim the nets up front for relaxing. Whether faceup or facedown, you're quite wrapped in blue.

It's here, in limbo and suspended in blue, that Anguilla's latitude works its magic and brings about an unbelievable change in attitude. It is a day sans cell phones and traffic, congestion and stress. The rhythmic steel pan music and scenic beaches are an elixir—much like the rum punch and delicious food—and all are served in abundance. Locals are friendly and exude an island charm that reflects a newfound 'tude. Anguilla is renowned for pristine beaches and snorkeling, and also for its quiet Caribbean charm.

To visit Anguilla and Prickly Pear, contact Lambada at Aqua Mania at 599-544-2640 for reservations, or Bluebeard at 599-587-5935, 599-545-3893 and 1-888-587-SAIL.

Tranquility Wrapped In Blue

As Lambada rounds the tip of Anguilla and the intoxicating smell of exotic vegetation and land assails your senses, you spy in the distance a mysterious white flash amidst brilliant blue. You rise from the comfort of the nets and strain for a glimpse of what must surely be a mirage. A rum punch clutched firmly to your chest, you lean eagerly forward. And suddenly you can see her. Sandy Island ... where stunningly white, powder-soft sand meets a gentle, turquoise sea on all sides.

This has been described as "tranquility, wrapped in blue"-and you are headed there. Coral reefs raise lazy heads through the ripples of the passing boat, and you hold your breath as Lambada glides effortlessly through an impossibly narrow channel.

Coral reefs raise lazy heads through the ripples of the passing boat, and you hold your breath as Lambada glides effortlessly through an impossibly narrow channel.

You reach for snorkel gear and plunge head long into crystal clear waters. There is no noise, no pollution and the only crowds are reef fish, adding vibrant and varied hues to the surroundings.

This is what you have dreamed of ... this is paradise found.

Ask for Lambada and Sandy Island by name, Wednesdays and Fridays from Pelican Marina. Trips are made to Prickly Pear Island on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Business and Pleasure

Despite the delights Anguilla offers visitors, it's not just an idyllic getaway: this small island is also known for its top-notch financial services.

First and foremost, Anguilla offers a well-regulated environment for offshore investors to manage their assets in a zero-tax jurisdiction. Thus, international firms are in a good position to use their companies for holding assets, re-invoicing third parties or accruing tax deferments.

With strong ties to English law and a stable political environment, the island offers clients many crucial business assets, including a highly trained, specialized work force. Anguilla also offers clients a computerized registry called ACORN. This permits agents to incorporate companies on line and file all legal documents electronically.

ACORN now has more than 50 overseas agents in almost every jurisdiction. To register a company in Anguilla, you must work with an agent in your jurisdiction. To find an agent, log onto anguillafsc.com. Under the menu item "Financial Services Directory," choose "Overseas Agents." After contacting an agent and satisfying requirements, you can form your company quickly.

In addition, legislation on Anguilla has been designed to afford flexibility to financial planners. Anguilla offers three types of tax-free companies:

• International Business Company: This is mainly for asset protection and tax planning. There is no requirement to file audited accounts nor are any type of taxes levied. Public disclosure of directors and shareholders is not mandatory; this information, however, must be held at the company's local registered office.
  
  
• Companies Act Company: Also called an Anguilla Business Company, this may function as a domestic entity or as an international enterprise. Public disclosure or registration of directors and shareholders is required, but no withholding or corporate taxes are levied.
  
  
• Limited Liability Company: This carries limited disclosure requirements. Its existence may be considered perpetual or its charter may state the date on which it will be dissolved. There are no account-filing requirements or taxes levied against such businesses.
  
  

For more information, go to anguillaoffshore.com.