Boat Trip: Prickly Pear Cays, Sandy Island + Little Bay

The past couple of weeks have been a bit of a run-around with back-to-back family and friends in town to visit. Lest I forget to capture the experiences that I had with my parents during their time in Anguilla, I thought I’d share some snapshots from a boat excursion that we enjoyed during their time here. My grandma opted to stay at home since the embarkation can be daunting as an almost 90-year-old. My parents hopped aboard our trip departing from Meads Bay on a trip down the island’s north side as we explored off-island cays and grabbed lunch at a tried-and-true favorite.

Prickly Pear Cays

We started our day at Prickly Pear Cays, a place which has become ever more popular on our day trip agendas. Besides the bright white sand and a string of beach chairs, there’s not a whole lot there. There is, however, Prickly Pear Restaurant with this perfect little pop-up bar smack dab in the middle of the beach. Armed with a blender, they’re serving up blended concoctions for a reasonable $6 a pop.

Sandy Island

Yes, Sandy Island can get busy at lunch, and yes, it can be expensive. Still, I find it to be one of the most idyllic, postcard-perfect looking spots around (Scilly Cay is the same for me). Pulling up to what looks like a small deserted isle in the middle of the Caribbean feels special. The brightly painted shack, the hammock, and the perfectly placed palms create a perfect backdrop for a day on the island. My parents hadn’t been so even a quick drink here was a must.

da’Vida + Little Bay

If my parents hadn’t gotten their fix of da’Vida on Sunday, we headed back there for lunch during our boat outing. While da’Vida’s prices for dinner are on the more expensive side, their lunch menu is extraordinarily affordable for what is offered. Naturally, their famous frozen mojitos made another appearance. We worked off our lunch with a trip to Little Bay for a snorkeling excursion. Most folks on our trip opted to float in the sea with a beer in hand, but I dragged my mom around the area to explore beneath the surface. Even with a broken wrist she was up for the experience. In the past, Scott and I have seen rays, squid, a range of fish, plus starfish on the sea floor. This time, we really only saw sea urchins. My mom’s excitement at that made the snorkeling worth the time.

All in all a fantastic day on the water exploring the island from a different perspective. Where would you go on a boat trip in Anguilla?

xo from the islands,