Hello everyone,

We are looking forward to our first trip back to St. Maarten in three years and will be traveling at the end of March. We are planning an overnight visit to Anguilla and Shoal Bay and we need some help.

1) Does anyone know how much the OVERNIGHT departure tax is from Anguilla? I know it jumps dramatically from just a day trip. Has anyone traveled there overnight lately?

2) Can anyone suggested a good place for dinner that we could cab to? We won't be renting a car this time but we find Shoal Bay so quiet at night. Can anyone suggest a good spot for dinner (we will be there on Wednesday night) with good island charm (doesn't have to be fancy - just good food) with maybe a little live music?

3) Do the Anguillan custom officers allow "duty free" alcohol to enter from SXM? Is there a penalty or duty? We just wanted to bring a couple of beers and maybe a good bottle of wine and because we won't be renting a car this time we don't want the cab to stop on the way to Shoal Bay. Anyone have any info?

Thanks so much - we love TTOL and can hardly wait for our St. Maarten/Anguilla adventure to begin!

Teresa

Teresa,

It's been a couple of years now since we did a stay-over on AXA but I believe the departure fee is $25.00 per person. We brought 'stuff' over with us, although not alcohol and I don't recall anyone checking our luggage or our carry-ons, so I'm thinking it's not a big deal.

Over the years, we liked Zara's on Shoal Bay but I'm thinking it's probably closed these days based on the lackadaisical attitude of the chef. It was a great place in its day and if still there, I'd try it. Quiet and off the beaten track. Not to worry about eating spots, though, since ALL the places on AXA are pretty darned good. We enjoyed the diningroom at Serenity Guest House, too, and it's one that is rarely mentioned here. These are definitely not island hot spots, though. If it was me, I'd ask either your cab driver or perhaps on the ferry, assuming you're going over from SXM.

Have fun - Anguilla is a little piece of heaven on earth, IMHO. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

1. I think it is 28.00 US Cash

2. Straw Hat on Meads Bay, but it is way across the island – Sprocka plays on Wed nights – he is great, but that would be an expensive cab ride. Hibernia is very close to SBE – they get rave reviews – have not been there, check their menu to see if it suits you. Don't think they have music. Veya in Sandy Ground has music every night. Pat is correct, Zaras is closed. Madearemins(sp) on SBE always gets great reviews – you could walk there, and the new Zemi Beach hotel has two restaurants, can walk there also.

3. You are allowed one liter of spirits each.

Have a great trip.

Here is some information if traveling by ferry. There is an additional $5 tax IF returning to Dutch St. Maarten.

You can also access the air travel information from the link.

Teresa, the new taxes are now $28 US cash for overnight stays and $13 if just staying for the day. This is paid at the Blowing Point Ferry terminal upon departure from Anguilla. I would recommend Straw Hat or Oliver's for fine dining, both overlooking the water. There are a few other good restaurants that are mentioned on the Anguilla forum so you should check that out.You are allowed to bring a certain amount of alcohol with you with no problem. You can also get your cab driver to stop and make any additional purchases you might want along the way. Have a great trip! I have missed seeing you here and look forward to reading your trip report upon your return.

Perhaps Ellen would know as I think she's there now (?) but I believe Johnno's Beach Bar in Sandy Ground has Wednesday music, and Roy's had steel pan music on Wednesdays. Both casual.
There's also Wednesday wing night at Ferry Boat Inn, but I don't recall music. They get packed.

No – I am not there yet, one more month.

Here is the link to the music and events page:

http://www.anguilla-beaches.com/anguilla-events.html

Sprocka plays on Wed at Straw Hat, it is a lovely restaurant on Meads Bay with good food, service and pricing. One of the best places to watch the sunset at this time of year.

It would probably be $30.00 each way in a cab.

Ellen

We bring " leftovers" over from SXM- beer, rum,water, food. No problems. Ready to declare if I have to but so far, knock on wood, no issues! If you are staying on Shoal Bay East, Madeariman is open for dinner as well as Zemi. So no cab needed! Serenity is another good option but we have only walked there during the day, not at night. I reccommend eating at Madeariman and watching the sun set! Beautiful! We rarely venture out for nightlife so can't help there. Have a great time!

This has been so helpful everyone - thanks so much! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" />

Serenity Cottages at SBE is just as the name implies, and they have a restaurant on site.

Ku is gone and a new monster of a building is going up basically ontop of Uncle Ernies - wish we had had better weather and wish we had tried Madeariman!! Was not impressed with Uncle Ernies - though I was slightly jaded as it was not even close to what I remembered 30+ years ago - everything changes!!

Sadly, Uncle Ernie's has gone downhill. Madeariman was decent the last 2 times I was there.

Blanchards? The book is great.

We've had lunch at Uncle Ernie's the last few visits and the food/service has been very good. A few years back, not so much. Had to complain about the wait time and scored some free beers for our table. But April 2014, April 2015 and July were all great! As a matter of fact we got some drinks there the day of the election when no drinks were being served anywhere! Love the lobster wrap sandwiches! Manoah had a great thing going with the restaurant by the pool. Food was great. Beach chair rental included use of pool, wifi and service for cheap. The new hotel is an eyesore. The place did not need to be redone! And not to mention Zemi. Hate to see the beach become so built up!!

Someone mentioned Oliver's. Been closed for several years