EG Anguilla

In my opinion Anguilla has the finest sea and sand in the Caribbean – I’d say the ‘Caribbean’s best beaches’, but the lack of palms and often a level of activity undermines the archetype.  But hey, the sand and sea are truly spectacular – the sand is so sumptuous that just walking can become aerobic exercise... and the sea so clear that you can see fish-fry seeding their way in and out of rising wave-faces.

Generally Anguilla is extremely low key (there’s not much action beyond the beach bars, unlike St Barts, for example), and this despite a sophisticated clientele with money to spend. Anguilla is pretty expensive, certainly it’s pretty hard to have an inexpensive trip there. People come for the island’s smart hotels and particularly the stylish villas and ‘super-villas’. The island’s restaurants are also excellent and have good interest (chefs doing interesting things) and depth.

The Anguillians themselves are cool – ever independent minded and unimpressed by worldly fame and glamour and – key on a site like this – Anguilla’s beach bars are superb. They have good variety too, some being rustic, others ideal for a sophisticated lunch.

And of course the beach bars in Anguilla are second to none.