Scrub Island: Privately Owned but Publicly Fantastic

Off the eastern tip of Anguilla is uninhabited Scrub Island, about 3 miles square and fun to visit. On the leeward side is a beautiful white sand beach which usually has calm waters. It is the only one in Anguilla that faces completely away from the prevailing winds and seas since Anguilla runs east-west and the winds come from the east.

The interior of Scrub consists of rolling low hills, soft and green more like Scotland than Anguilla. It is an easy walk to the other side of the island. The only inhabitants are wild goats that grow fat in the rainy season and skinny in the dry season but they get water then by eating the pear cactus on the island.

Catch a ride over a glass bottom boat from Shoal Bay or Island Harbour. Or on Keg's wide, stable fishing boat. Or just drop into Smitty's Seaside Bar and Restaurant in Island Harbour. You could also take some cold drinks with you, because there aren't any bars on Scrub Island yet. And there aren't any protected harbours on Scrub either, so it is sometimes impossible to land in high seas.

When you get over, you can just play on the beach in Scrub Bay where you land, or you can take a hike to explore the island. You will need walking shoes or sport sandals. Remember, Scrub Island is private property, except for the beach which is public, like all beaches in Anguilla. So be respectful. Scrub is supposedly uninhabited, but who knows what has happened here over the centuries. There are rumors of wrecked Spanish galleons, and some other unconfirmed history.

In two hours you can hike most of the island and when you make it back to the beach, a dip in the ocean will be very refreshing. That is Scrub Island, Anguilla's private yet flabbergasting place!