Exploring Scrub Island
Beyond the Beach
![[Click to enlarge beach on Scrub Island]](images/scrub.jpg)
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 (click picture for a larger image). 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 (they get water then by
eating the pear cactus on the island).
Catch a ride over on Junior's or Mike's glassbottom 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 and ask him to find Shawn or one of the other boaters to take you over. But 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 (see blue X on the
map), 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.
If you have any questions about the island, you can contact
Olive Hodge or any member of the family at the Anguilla Drug Store.
264-497-2738.
Scrub is supposedly uninhabited, but who knows what has happened here over the centuries. There are rumours of wrecked Spanish galleons, and ...
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.
More on Scrub Island at anguilla-beaches.com
For more information on Anguilla, read the Anguilla Local News.