Anguilla, the most northerly of the British Leeward lslands, retains the laid – back character of a sleepy backwater. lt’s small and lightly populated, but the islanders are friendly and easy -going. lt also has some of the finest beaches in the Caribbean. The interior of the island is flat, dry and scrubby, pockmarked with salt ponds and devoid of dramatic scenery, but it is fringed by beautiful beaches, aquamarine waters and nearby coral – encrusted islets, which offer great swimming, snorkeling and diving.

December to February

Lazing on Shoal Bay, one of the finest beaches in the Eastern Caribbean

Snokelling and having a picnic on Prickly Pear Cays

Taking a sunset stroll along Meads Bay – a lovely mile – long sweep of white sand with calm turquoise waters

Diving one of Anguilla’s many shipwrecks

Hanging out in Sandy Ground, with its casual beach bars and old saltworks

Riding around the island on a scooter and checking out the numerous salt ponds

Read Green and Juicy Flotsam: Short Stories by Caribbean Women, or check out the island’s history in Donald E Westlake’s Under an English Heaven

Listen to Bankie Banx, a celebrated Anguillan singer – songwriter

Watch Pirates of the Caribbean – it has nothing to do with Anguilla, but you can pretend. There is no local film industry

Eat a local crayfish or lobster -don’t forget to suck out the tasty brains

Drink Guinness or rum

Limin’ (hanging out with friends and passing the time )

Tranquil; crystal – clear water and white – sand beaches; wild goats running amok; ganja; snorkeling

During the two – year rebellion against the British there were no fatalities; Anguillans are fanatic boat racers and on Sunday you’ll see plenty of boats cutting up the ocean

The island’s top archaeological site is the Fountain, a huge underground cave along a rocky pathway a few hundred yards southeast of what used to be the Fountain Beach Hotel. The cave, which draws its name from its former importance as a freshwater

Spring, contains scores of Amerindian petroglyphs, including a rare stalagmite carving of Jocahu, the Arawak god of creation. The Fountain is thought to have been a major

Regional worshipping site and a place of pilgrimage for Amerindiand.