If you are looking for a more exclusive and private beaches, Anguilla is the place!   The white sand beaches and turquoise water, as well as beautiful weather year round with temperatures ranging between 80-86 degree, make this a great place to visit.  Uncrowded beaches, water sports and a spectacular coral reef are just a few reasons to visit for relaxing and unwinding.

The best activities to take part in are scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, fishing, charter boats and water sports.  One can also take day trips to St. Maarten and St. Barts.  There are  more then 80 species of birds, so bird watching is another great activity.  Other land activities include hiking, bike riding and horseback riding.

Anguilla is a British overseas territory, one of the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles.  It consists of the main island of Anguilla which is approximately 26 km (16 miles) long by 5 km (3 miles) wide at its widest point. If you are seeking a special, romantic getaway on a small island, gifted with 33 of the best beaches in the Caribbean, this could be the island you are looking for.

Yes, there are 33 beaches, each one super in their own way. They range from the really serene Little Harbor to the wild Windward Bay, from the popular East Shoal Bay & Rendezvous Bay.  And don’t forget Maunday’s Bay, Shoal Bay West and Cove Bay for starters.

You can view my photos and see more videos in a new blog about my visit to Shoal Bay

It was fun meeting Bankie Banx.  He is Anguilla’s reggae  star and local real estate mogul.  I met Bankie at the Dune Preserve in Rendezvous Bay.

We have heard that the rich and famous go to other Caribbean islands when they want to be seen, but they go to Anguilla to hide & disappear. You do not have to be rich and famous to vacation here.

Interesting – there are no chain stores or restaurants here – no franchises are allowed. This is a 100% genuine, tropical Caribbean island getaway. The shopping here is not great, but if shopping is on your agenda, a 20 minute ferry ride to St.Martin/St. Marteen is worth the ride.

Click on these links below to get more info:

Anguilla Tourist Board

Professor Beach’s Worlds Best Beachtowns Website for more information on Maundays Bay

Professor Beach’s Worlds Best Beachtowns Website for more information on Shoal Bay

Professor Beach’s New Squidoo Lens about Shoal Bay in Anguilla – West Indies

The island of Cozumel is approx 30 miles (48 km) going north & south and approx 10 miles (16 km ) going east & west.   It’s the largest Atlantic island of Mexico.   It’s approx 12 miles (20 kms) from the mainland, and approx 36 miles (60 km) south of Cancun, Mexico.

With the tropical climate of Cozumel, the weather can change from one day to the next.  It is warm year round with an average temperature of 81 F (27 C).  Heavy rains start in June and go on through October.  Even if it rains every day, the usual duration of a shower is short.  Humidity is naturally high during the rainy season.

The west side of Cozumel is calm – ideal for swimming, diving or just relaxing in the sun.  This part of the island is also the most developed with banks, markets, shops, restaurants and hotels.  The east side of the island is more secluded, with very few people living there and little activity.  There are some calm beaches with clear emerald green water.  There are at least 20 live reefs so close to the shore,  it makes snorkeling and diving a must. The island also has it’s share of Mayan ruins hidden in the jungles that can be explored by car, bike or foot.

The area’s diving and snorkeling are legendary.  Following a 1961 documentary by Jacques Cousteau, Cozumel earned a worldwide following of divers who ranked it one of the top five scuba diving and snorkeling sites on the planet.  The island’s surrounding waters are filled with undersea life, colorful reefs, and the wrecked hulls of Spanish galleons.  The area’s marine life & reef structures attract more than 75,000 divers from all over the world, every year.   With over 30 kms of reefs & water visibility up to 200 feet and over 200 species of tropical fish, Cozumel is considered by many to be the best.  It’s very easy to find dive shops – they are everywhere!

For non divers, the island has something for everyone.  Sightseeing includes some archaeological sites.  You won’t want to miss the shopping & dining in the village of San Miguel de Cozumel.   Nature lovers come to Cozumel to see giant see turtles laying their eggs from May to September and to view the island’s variety of exotic migratory bird life.

Fishing is also a major sport in Cozumel.  Species like dorado and barracudas can be caught.  It’s easy to find charter boats.  Other water activities include sailing, water ski & windsurfing.

According to Mayan legends, the home to Goddess Ixchel, the islanders built temples to honor her, the goddess of love & fertility.  In return, Goddess Ixchel sent the swallow, her favorite bird, as a gesture of gratitude, thus the name of “The Island of the Swallows”.

Before traveling to Mexico – click on the link below for some “Good to Know” important travel tips.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/spring_break_mexico/spring_break_mexico_2812.html

Click here for more information on Cozumel and visit Professor Beach’s website

There you will find maps, airport information and other good stuff!