There isn't anything more restful and relaxing than walking a brilliant white sand beach listening to the waves lapping against the shore watching the sunrise.

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Anguilla has 33 brilliant white sand beaches, well, 32. Little Elsie Bay on Anguilla is the first Anguilla beach I've seen with what I'll call "red" sand due to the coral. As hard as it is to choose a favorite beach if you're bitten by the Anguilla bug and become a repeat returner like me eventually you'll find one to call your favorite. The beaches on Anguilla each have a very different and unique feel. Shoal Bay East, the "IT" beach on Anguilla has a gently lapping shore. It has a wide range of hotels and condo units right on the beach aswell as many well known beach bars. Uncle Ernie's was probably the best known establishment on Shoal Bay East. Located right at the end of the main road leading down to Shoal Bay. Uncle Ernie's has been serving chicken and ribs and great rum punches since 1984. The Maderiman Restaurant is next door to Uncle Ernie's. Ku has a beach bar that is the longest on Anguilla at 75 feet long. Shoal Bay Villas boasts The Sandpiper Restaurant. Elodia's Bar & Grill is located on Shoal Bay East, as is Gwen's Reggae Bar. Further up Shoal Bay East Allamanda has Zara's Restaurant and the Serenity has a restaurant of the same name. Most Sunday afternoons you'll find locals and vistors alike gathering at Gwen's or Ku to listen to local music. You'll find almost 100 lounge chairs set up along Shoal Bay East, and hopefully never see them all filled. You'll also find Junior's Glass Bottom Boat Tours on Shoal Bay East.

Meads Bay on the west end of the island is host to the Grand Dame Malliouhana which sits high on a promentory overlooking the beach. There are quite a few spots to stay and eat on Mead's Bay. Starting with Carimar then Frangipani and Turtle's Nest. The Viceroy Resorts and Residences are being built on the far point of Meads Bay wrapping around to the next beach which is Barnes Bay. They are building beachfront and blufftop villas, townhomes and resort residences. The restaurant choices on Meads Bay are much more upscale then on Shoal Bay East. Two of the best known are Blanchards and Bananas by the Sea. There is also the restaurant at Malliouhana and The Plumeria restaurant at the Frangipani.

Undoubtedly the best walking beach on Anguilla is Rendezvous Bay. A 2 mile long crescent of brilliant white sand which takes advantage of the trade winds so it always has a cooling breeze. Rendezvous Bay, along with other beaches on the southern coast of Anguilla share a lovely view of the mountains of St. Maarten. It's always beautiful at night to see the twinkling lights across the water. The Cuisinart Resort and Spa sits on Rendezvous Bay. As does the Anguilla Great House with it's restaurant Old Carib. The Rendezvous Bay Hotel will be undergoing renovations and opening sometime in 2009 or 2010 with a beachfront hotel, 5 bedroom beach front villas and townhouses.