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Day Trip to Anguilla #96567
05/04/2016 10:23 AM
05/04/2016 10:23 AM
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 28
Virginia
L
loislynn Offline OP
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loislynn  Offline OP
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Joined: Mar 2015
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Virginia
On our last trip to SXM we did an Aqua Mania trip to Anguilla. It was a wonderful experience, but this trip I was thinking about taking the ferry over from Marigot and taking a cab to a beach for the day.

What beach do you all recommend? I was thinking about Bankie Banx Dune Preserve or Blanchard's Beach Shack. But I don't have much that I'm basing that on - just that those are places I've heard about.

I'd love to hear some of your experiences.

Thanks so much!

SXM Sponsors
Re: Day Trip to Anguilla [Re: loislynn] #96568
05/04/2016 10:53 AM
05/04/2016 10:53 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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ruralcarrier  Offline
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We have taken the ferry many times. I have done a few island tours when with new visitors. We usually hit 2-3 or the resorts and then end up at Shoal Bay East. If I were just going to a beach, I prefer Shoal Bay East but it is hard to go wrong with any beach on Anguilla.

You can get a cab/van at the ferry terminal and negotiate a tour or just go to the beach. Prices are pretty much set and the dispatcher should have that information.

Here is a link for Anguilla information and there is also a link for taxi rates under the "activities" tab.


J.D.
Re: Day Trip to Anguilla [Re: loislynn] #96569
05/04/2016 11:45 AM
05/04/2016 11:45 AM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,141
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem Offline
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islandgem  Offline
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Shoal Bay East is the place to go for a perfect beach day. The other beaches are nice, but if only spending one day it is best not to travel around too much. Save the others for another day!




Re: Day Trip to Anguilla [Re: islandgem] #96570
05/04/2016 12:19 PM
05/04/2016 12:19 PM
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 28
Virginia
L
loislynn Offline OP
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loislynn  Offline OP
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Joined: Mar 2015
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Virginia
Does Shoal Bay East have beach bars with chairs/umbrellas, etc?

Re: Day Trip to Anguilla [Re: loislynn] #96571
05/04/2016 12:41 PM
05/04/2016 12:41 PM
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 361
Boston, MA
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Daisy304 Offline
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Daisy304  Offline
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Boston, MA
We just got back from a week in SXM and 2 nights on Anguilla. We stayed on Meads Bay and absolutely loved it. Its a quick ride from the ferry. Taxi cost us $18. We stayed at the Carimar Beach Resort but had lunch at Blanchards Beach Shack which was great. They have chairs and umbrellas for a small fee of $3 (if they even collect it). There is also a fairly new beach shack that we walked to that is near the Viceroy called the Bamboo Beer Box which has a great local vibe and has chairs, food and a great bar. Enjoy. I wish I was there now!

Re: Day Trip to Anguilla [Re: Daisy304] #96572
05/04/2016 01:13 PM
05/04/2016 01:13 PM
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 588
Las Vegas, NV, USA
Ellen777 Offline
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Public ferry from Marigot. Taxi to Shoal Bay East - tell the driver you want to go to Elodias, and you want picked up at 4pm.
Elodias rents chairs, umbrellas, towels, snorkeling gear, and they also have showers.
There are plenty of chair rentals on Shoal Bay east - but Elodias is the best, quietest area and big stretch of beach, good food and drinks.
Take cash for the ferry and departure tax and don't forget your passport.
Have a great trip.
Ellen


Life's a beach
Re: Day Trip to Anguilla [Re: loislynn] #96573
05/04/2016 01:45 PM
05/04/2016 01:45 PM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,313
Granville, MA
PreK176 Offline
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PreK176  Offline
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Shoal Bay is a beautiful beach. Elodia's was pretty full during our recent stay, but also depends on the day you are visiting. Think the chairs with umbrella are $10 for 2? Food is very good and there are other beach bars along SBE to visit. Mead's Bay is also nice and we love to visit Blanchard's Beach Shack. Chairs there were renting for $3 each. We have taken many day trips to Anguilla but now prefer to stay overnight. We use the public ferry. Cheapest option and pretty easy to use. Lots of taxis at Blowing Point that will take you wherever you want to go! We recently had friends who came over for the day to visit and the time went by very quickly! I can't imagine visiting more than one beach on a day trip. Anguilla is beautiful! Enjoy!


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Re: Day Trip to Anguilla [Re: loislynn] #96574
05/04/2016 02:48 PM
05/04/2016 02:48 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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ruralcarrier  Offline
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Quote
loislynn said:
Does Shoal Bay East have beach bars with chairs/umbrellas, etc?


You will not have any trouble finding any of the above.


J.D.
Re: Day Trip to Anguilla [Re: ruralcarrier] #96575
05/04/2016 03:22 PM
05/04/2016 03:22 PM
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 68
Spring,Texas
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ARC Offline
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Spring,Texas
We always go to Shoal Bay East and the driver drops us off at Elodias. Great place and a gorgeous beach! We have a certain cab driver we use. His name is Nell. We just tell the person that takes the money at the ferry to call Nell that we are on the ferry and he meets us at the dock.

Re: Day Trip to Anguilla [Re: ARC] #96576
05/04/2016 03:29 PM
05/04/2016 03:29 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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ruralcarrier  Offline
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We have used Nell several times also. He was mentioned in the Blanchard's book, A Trip to the Beach. Toppy is another driver we have used multiple times.


J.D.
Re: Day Trip to Anguilla [Re: ruralcarrier] #96577
05/04/2016 04:07 PM
05/04/2016 04:07 PM
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 695
Long Island, NY
timmycs Offline
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We loved Trattoria Tramonto on Shoal Bay West. Quality Italian food like Grand Case, excellent drinks and calm beautiful blue water with a view of SXM. There is a reason why the Chef is pictured with DeNiro, Bill and Hillary, Uma Thurman, Conan Obrien, Liam and Natasha Neesom and more. We saw Anne Hathaway on the beach

Re: Day Trip to Anguilla [Re: loislynn] #96578
05/04/2016 04:26 PM
05/04/2016 04:26 PM
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 250
K
KATEONTARIO77 Offline
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If you want to go to Bankies "The Dune" Sunday is a great day to go.....live music & a sweet beach.....Garvey's Sunshine Shack....just up or down from the Dune is good as well.....my favorite is always Shoal Bay at Elodias.....and Bankies on Sunday.....kate <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/canada.gif" alt="" />

Re: Day Trip to Anguilla [Re: loislynn] #96579
05/04/2016 04:46 PM
05/04/2016 04:46 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,141
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem Offline
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islandgem  Offline
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Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Yes, chairs at different places all along the beach. Madeariman is a nice place to hang out and it has good food and service.




Re: Day Trip to Anguilla [Re: loislynn] #96580
05/04/2016 05:07 PM
05/04/2016 05:07 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 391
San Antonio
sumbeach Offline
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San Antonio
looks like the votes are in for Shoal Bay. But I'll throw in another option just for kicks. We really like Smokey's at Cove Bay. The food is great, they have inside tables as well as under the big tent, and the chairs and unbrella are free if you have lunch. They have live music on Sunday (maybe other days). Very quiet, beautiful clean beach.


Dan
Re: Day Trip to Anguilla [Re: islandgem] #96581
05/04/2016 07:04 PM
05/04/2016 07:04 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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ruralcarrier  Offline
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Ohio
Sadly, since Uncle Ernie's went downhill, Madeariman is now our choice also. Get a set of chairs from Raymond at Skyline Beach Rentals and you are set.


J.D.
Re: Day Trip to Anguilla [Re: ruralcarrier] #96582
05/04/2016 07:32 PM
05/04/2016 07:32 PM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,313
Granville, MA
PreK176 Offline
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Uncle Ernie's is now owned by the guy who runs Hungrys food truck in the Valley. We actually ate lunch here twice last week and found the food was very good as was the service. A little bit of island time waiting for the ribs/chicken combo but no one had anywhere to go so no big deal! I love their lobster pocket! A little pricey but lasts me for 2 meals! We ventured over to Madeariman's for the rum punch which really packs a punch! Also, had pizza there a couple nights- no complaints about the food! You really can't go wrong anywhere on SBE! We made the rounds everywhere except for Zemi and Gwen's. Looks like Manoah's bar will be open soon as well. Can't wait to try them next year!


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Re: Day Trip to Anguilla [Re: PreK176] #96583
05/04/2016 07:45 PM
05/04/2016 07:45 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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Glad to know Uncle Ernie's is coming around. We first went there when Uncle Ernie was actively involved. Once he passed, things seem to not be right, even with a lot of the same staff initially. With "a drunk" often hanging around and not in a good state and the deterioration of the food, it became difficult for us to go there.

Last edited by ruralcarrier; 05/05/2016 11:54 AM.

J.D.
Re: Day Trip to Anguilla [Re: ruralcarrier] #96584
05/04/2016 07:52 PM
05/04/2016 07:52 PM
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 588
Las Vegas, NV, USA
Ellen777 Offline
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JD, last time we went to Ernies, "a drunk" was falling off the bar stool, and two gals got in a cat fight behind the counter - they were literally rolling on the floor pulling each others hair. We got out of there and have never been back. I have heard the food and service is good again, and "the drunk" is now on the wagon <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />

Last edited by ruralcarrier; 05/05/2016 04:02 PM.

Life's a beach
Re: Day Trip to Anguilla [Re: ruralcarrier] #96585
05/04/2016 07:53 PM
05/04/2016 07:53 PM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,313
Granville, MA
PreK176 Offline
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PreK176  Offline
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Posts: 1,313
Granville, MA
I believe it has been under new ownership for at least the last few years? We've been going every visit since '07 so did see the decline several years ago. Give it another try!


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Re: Day Trip to Anguilla [Re: Ellen777] #96586
05/04/2016 08:03 PM
05/04/2016 08:03 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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ruralcarrier  Offline
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Ellen, I just about threw "a drunk" over the railing several years ago. He was a mess. Urinated on himself while barely being able to stay sitting on a barstool and then came to our table and slobbered on a friend while peering at her chest and trying to hit on her. It was not a pretty sight and I was pi$$ed and have not personally been back since. He was a true menace and did the place no good at all.

Last edited by ruralcarrier; 05/05/2016 11:55 AM.

J.D.
Re: Day Trip to Anguilla [Re: loislynn] #96587
05/04/2016 10:04 PM
05/04/2016 10:04 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,447
Virginia wishing STJ
TomB Offline
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TomB  Offline
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Virginia wishing STJ
loislynn - Let me see if I can help you make your decision...

[Linked Image]
Meads Bay

[Linked Image]
Shoal Bay


[Linked Image]
Rendezvous Bay

I am not sure you can wrong...


“Every time I open a bottle of wine, it is an amazing trip somewhere!” José Andrés
Re: Day Trip to Anguilla [Re: TomB] #96588
05/05/2016 12:04 PM
05/05/2016 12:04 PM
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 361
Boston, MA
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Daisy304 Offline
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Daisy304  Offline
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Boston, MA
OMG that picture of Meads Bay is killing me. I was there this past weekend and it was just so beautiful!

Re: Day Trip to Anguilla [Re: ruralcarrier] #96589
05/05/2016 01:09 PM
05/05/2016 01:09 PM
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 324
Oregon
Caribbean5 Offline
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Oregon
SHOAL BAY SUCKS. Not really but we love it for it natural setting and great beach. Trying to keep all the tourist away. Best beach in the Caribbean.


Jimmy Buffett for President
Re: Day Trip to Anguilla [Re: Caribbean5] #96590
05/05/2016 04:38 PM
05/05/2016 04:38 PM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,313
Granville, MA
PreK176 Offline
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PreK176  Offline
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Granville, MA
You scared me for a minute!! LOL Most beautiful beach although we also love Mead's Bay. Missing Anguilla right now....been cold and rainy all week and more rain next week. Guess I should be glad that it isn't snow!!


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Re: Day Trip to Anguilla [Re: PreK176] #96591
05/06/2016 08:04 PM
05/06/2016 08:04 PM
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 105
Capital City NC
RanLee Offline
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RanLee  Offline
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Capital City NC
Thank you.

Randy


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