Compiled by FatPassport's travel experts

Anguilla is a quiet and beautiful Caribbean island. A British protectorate, Anguilla is surrounded by white sandy beaches, and clear, beautiful turquoise water. This is a place for travelers looking for a quiet and relaxing beach vacation, and for water sport enthusiasts.

Anguilla offers some of the best beaches in the Caribbean, and some of the best scuba diving as well. The locals are very friendly and the island is very safe. A good way to explore the area is to pay a local to take you around to the best beaches for swimming, snorkeling, or just laying on the beach.

Close by are a few fantastic islands. Dog Island is a protected area and an incredible place for bird watching, while Scrub Island has fantastic white sandy beaches and very few visitors. Also nearby is St. Maarten - easily reached via a short ferry ride - which offers gambling, shopping, and nightlife.

Like St. Barts, Anguilla is relatively upscale, though Anguilla tends to cater to a younger and more hip crowd. Accommodations span the range from midrange to luxurious, but low-budget travelers will need to find a beach elsewhere. There’s fine dining at the resorts, as well as some inexpensive food options downtown. However, there’s no nightlife, so if you’re looking to party you’ll want to go somewhere else.

You’ll want to spend at least 3-4 days to explore the island and the area, and if you enjoy a relaxing time on the beach (and can afford it!) then you’ll certainly enjoy staying longer.

High season for tourism is December to April. Hurricane season runs from June to November, with risk highest August through October. Scuba diving is actually a little better during the summer, as visibility can be better.

There are no direct flights from the US to Anguilla, so getting here typically involves either connecting in San Juan, or flying direct to St. Maarten and taking the short ferry ride to Anguilla.