7 Things to Do in Anegada

Explore Anegada’s Highlights in the British Virgin Islands

A tourist map of Anegada pinpoints a range of places to visit when you’re on the island. We only had a car rental for one day in Anegada and not wanting to spread ourselves too thin, we left lots of the island to conquer for a future visit. For those heading to this lesser-trafficked British Virgin Island on a mission to take in the must-see sights and experiences, here are 8 things to do in Anegada for your island checklist:

Dine on Anegada Lobster

8 Things to Do in Anegada — Courtesy of Anegada Lobster Festival

1If Anegada is famous for anything, it’s their lobster. Reputed as the lobster capital of the Caribbean and home to the British Virgin Islands’ Lobster Festival in November, Anegada’s most famous export is a must-try for every visitor to the island. Wondering where to try the local delicacy? Well, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a menu that doesn’t include lobster (in fact, I’d doubt that such a thing exists here). Enjoy it at lunch or dinner, in a salad, in a wrap, grilled, blackened or thermidor-style — the choice is yours, but don’t miss it! Scott had lobster both nights: lobster thermidor at Anegada Beach Club and blackened lobster at the Lobster Trap and both were excellent.

Learn to Kite Surf

2Looking or a more active pursuit? Try your hand at kite surfing. There’s a kite surfing school on site at Anegada Beach Club where we stayed for two nights and I loved watching the kitesurfers fly across the water on their boards. Anegada is widely considered the best destination in the BVI for kitesurfing with world-class conditions that make it possible on the regular. For newbies, lessons run from November through August with Tommy Gaunt Kitesurfing. If kitesurfing isn’t so much your thing, they also offer snorkeling, kayaking, and stand up paddle boarding on the beach in front of the resort.

Get in Touch with Anegada’s Nature

3It’s not just sea life that abounds in Anegada, though there’s plenty of that as well. You can see nurse sharks at Windlass Bight (along with turtles, lobster, and more according to folks who’ve visited) or visit the flamingo viewing point where you’ll be able to scope out a pink flock in the distance through a telescope. For reptile lovers, visit the Iguana Sanctuary which works to re-establish an iguana population that’s now considered critically endangered. The sanctuary on the island helps with conservation efforts in collaboration with some international institutes.

Explore the Island by Car – or Scooter!

4With a range of things to do in Anegada spread about the island, one of the best ways to get out and explore is by renting a vehicle! We opted to rent a Moke, which is my ultimate island car, but for those wanting a larger dose of adventure you can consider renting a scooter to zip around the island. With only 250 or so inhabitants, the roads are never too trafficked which makes driving a breeze. Read about how we spent one day in Anegada exploring.

Sip a Painkiller at Cow Wreck Beach Bar

5There’s no doubt that rum is the liquor of choice in the Caribbean, with many islands boasting a rum-infused national cocktail. In the British Virgin Islands, the go-to is the painkiller, essentially a liquid pina colada, that was made famous by Soggy Dollar Bar in Jost Van Dyke. That tradition extends to Anegada where they keep the BVI beverage kickin’ and where Cow Wreck Beach Bar offers their own take on the famous drink. Grab a cocktail and settle into one of their brightly colored Adirondack chairs or loungers for the afternoon.

Snorkel Horseshoe Reef

6Our group found the snorkeling off of Loblolly Bay in front of Flash of Beauty to be their favorite but we never quite made it to Horseshoe Reef, Anegada’s most acclaimed snorkeling spot. The third largest reef in the world (39 miles long!) with tunnels and caves for snorkeling (or diving), it’s famous for its sea life and vibrant coral but it requires a boat to reach. For those interested, plan on a boating expedition with an experienced captain to point you in the right direction.

Discover the Island’s Amerindian History

7Anegada’s history dates back to the Arawaks, who occupied the island thousands of years back and the conch shell mounds on the island’s eastern end are a testament to that. The piles range from one foot to 10 feet in height with fossilized conch shells stacked in mini mountains. The best way to see them is on a tour where you can get up close to see them first hand.

Looking to explore more of the British Virgin Islands? Check out these posts for further inspiration:

What are your musts for a trip to Anegada? Any highlights that others should put on their to-do list?

More about Shannon Kircher

Shannon Kircher is the founder and editor of The Wanderlust Effect. Founded in 2009, she has continued to document her international escapes as an expat in Europe and the Caribbean. Additionally, Shannon is the founder of Compass & Vine, a luxury boutique travel design firm, and is the Director of Marketing for the Frangipani Beach Resort. Shannon holds an MSc in Social Policy and Development from the London School of Economics and is a current candidate for WSET Level 3 in Wines & Spirits.