UNEXPECTED ACCESS INTO ANGUILLA

Backpacking & Budget Travel, Beaches & Islands, Blog Entries, Epic Travel Stories, The Caribbean Series

08/10/2021

THE CARIBBEAN SERIES, DAY 7

SINT MAARTEN – ANGUILLA – SINT MAARTEN

Unexpected access into Anguilla. After hours of research and getting nothing but “Anguilla is closed for day trippers” I decided to take the punt and pay the $200 for the online entry request form. I knew it was worth a go and coming back would be costing me at least another $600.

THESE VISAS HAVENT BEEN APPROVED IN 2 YEARS, IF YOU GET IN SOMEONE IS LOOKING OUT FOR YOU!

So the shock was very real when I received my approval last night. All I needed to do now was arrange a boat transfer and I’m good. But again the info about this online wasn’t comforting.

WHERE IS ANGUILLA?

Anguilla

GB FERRIES

Online I found 4 companies, only 1 of who responded with bad news but they passed on details of another company who I had already messaged and never heard back from. After stopping off at a few ports (all closed) my taxi took me to the last option, GB Ferries, located inside the police station of all places. Again no one was there but I held out and held out and eventually people started arriving.

DAILY INFO….

HOTEL – Emerald Residence, Maho 7/10 (ants aside)
ATTRACTIONS – Anguilla & Maho Beach

RUNNING VISIT

Eventually a boat arrived and was due to leave at 10:30. Great, I thought, I’m sure getting a return in the afternoon will give me the few hours needed on the island. I asked when the last boat back was,

“12pm”

I couldn’t believe it, the boat pretty much leaves Anguilla as soon as it docks 😬 Still it could be worse, there was a couple there still awaiting their approval letter. I had no choice and went ahead, being sure to tell the captain to wait for me until I get through immigration.

“It’s not possible as a day trip, you have any paperwork?”

“Yes, all here,” I replied

“Wow, this never happens. It hasn’t been done in 2 years! Someone is looking out for you. Good luck!”

This gave me a mix of optimism and doubt. Was my paperwork actually in order, would I be stamped in ok, or refused and sent on my way back to Saint Maarten.

THE FLAG….

The national flag of Anguilla, a British overseas territory, consists of a Blue Ensign with the British flag in the canton, charged with the coat of arms of Anguilla in the fly.
Three dolphins in a circular formation – friendship, wisdom and strength
White – peace
Light Blue – sea, faith, youth, and hope

Unexpected access into Anguilla

DAILY TRAVEL STATS….

Steps – 7,500
Number of boat rides – 2
Boat itinerary – Sint Maarten – Anguilla – Sint Maarten
Boat company – GB Ferries
Miles covered – 32.2 mi

QUICK TRIP

I’ll admit that such a short time is not ideal in any country but I am happy to make allowances when it comes to safety, finances and fucking COVID! I had a rare opportunity to enter Anguilla and it was one I wasn’t sure I’d get anytime soon.

It turns out I was stamped fairly quickly, although the lady at immigration might not have understood my reasoning, she was happy to let me on my way. Even the boat master came through with me to point me in the direction of the gate where everyone was happy to stare at the guy who just got off the boat only to wait and get back on it again.

Unexpected access into Anguilla

FACTS:

All of the island’s 33 beautiful beaches are public, uncrowded, and unspoiled, and every cove, bay, and stretch of sand is marked by unique characteristics like rock and coral formations and picturesque tropical plants.
There are no shopping malls, cruise ships, casinos, or high rise hotels on the island. Instead, you’ll find locally owned boutiques and shops run by local residents.
Goats are everywhere on the island. They’re on the hillsides, on the roads (be careful when driving), and even on the front lawns of most resorts.

PLANE BEACH

Back in Saint Maarten there’s a good chance you’ll have seen photos of it’s most popular tourist attraction, Maho Beach. This is the beach the planes fly over to land and is an infinite amount of fun. I’m not sure there is a better beach in the world as not only is it quintessentially Caribbean with its white sand and blue waters but also has the novelty of the planes flying overhead.

I could’ve spent all day here enjoying the planes coming and going both of which give differing experiences. The planes coming in are so low you feel the urge to duck and as the outgoing planes take-off from the same side you aren’t far off being thrust into the sea.

ABOUT THE COUNTRY:

LANGUAGE -English
HELLO – How do you do?
HOW TO CHEERS – Cheers!
POPULAR BEVERAGE – Rum Punch
POPULAR SPORT – Boat Racing
STAPLE DIET – Imported rice and other foods that are locally grown or imported, including yams, sweet potatoes and breadfruit.

Plane landing near the beach in Sint Maarten. Unexpected access into Anguilla

FINAL THOUGHTS

Lucky number 148, counting my blessings!

NEXT UP

Day trip around the island on a quad and my flight to Dominica where my hotel ghosts me! Click to read.

SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
148/229

This post is part of The Caribbean Series, click to explore the series or for episode 1, click here.
To watch the video of my trip, head to my highlights on my Instagram.

Question Time

Ever been denied entry into a country?
Shortest visit you’ve ever had?

Let me know in the comments below . . .

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THE BATHS AT VIRGIN GORDA

QUADING & GETTING GHOSTED BY MY HOTEL IN DOMINICA

About the Author

David Simpson

From Northern Ireland, David is a keen fitness fanatic, aspiring photographer and adrenaline junkie (with motion sickness). Well on his way to visiting every country in the world, David usually lives outside of his comfort zone. Whether that’s talking his way out of problems in a Peruvian Police Station, getting mashed with the Maseru tribe in the Drakensberg mountains or just chilling on the beach, he’s an all or nothing guy.