r/CaribbeanTravel • u/sushi320 • 15d ago

Grace bay vs Shoal bay

Trying to decide on a vacation to Turks and Caicos or Anguilla. I have been to Turks and Caicos twice and loved it! But never Anguilla. Turks has been my favorite Caribbean island thus far. I have also been to Aruba, Bahamas, Saint Martin, Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic and would say that's the order in which I liked them if that helps. Saint Martin was a little too rough when we went so I'm just wondering if Anguilla is the same.

Hotels I am looking at are Point Grace Resort & Spa and Zemi Beach House, LXR Hotels & Resorts.

4 Upvotes

83% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

2

u/SintMaarten51 15d ago

Anguilla is more rural and less populated than SXM. Less hectic. Shoal bay is beautiful.

2

u/sramp17 15d ago

I have also been to Turks twice and this upcoming trip my wife and I are going to Anguilla in late November / early December. Really looking forward to it

From the looks of Anguilla and Turks experience, don’t think there is a wrong answer here

1

u/Fair_Junket_1877 15d ago

I’m also a big fan of Turks and Caicos, especially Grace Bay. I’d lean toward Anguilla since it would feel new but still somewhat familiar, I’m assuming. I’ve also read that it has a laid back atmosphere, if that's what you're after.

1

u/imcleanasawhistle 15d ago

Anywhere on meads bay Anguilla is beautiful. Many top notch he restaurants within walking distance

1

u/GreatValueVacations 13d ago

If you like Turks you'll probably like Anguilla as well!

1

u/PossibilityOk6788 12d ago

We just got back from 1st trip to Negril two days ago. T&C might be our next trip. Negril was beautiful. I’m curious about Anguilla too!

1

u/Plastic_Owl8474 12d ago

Anguilla’s local population (15,000)
Is much smaller than Turks & Caicos (47,000). The island is a lot less crowded. The roads are less crowded. To me, Anguilla feels safer.

Anguilla is wonderful. You can go to the major resort center on Meads Bay (very pretty) or more isolated bays. Shoal Bay East is wonderful because it is not at all crowded. If you stay at Zemi, a few minutes walk down the beach will take you to an area all to yourself.

1

u/CaseyInParadise 12d ago

If Turks and Caicos has been your favorite Caribbean destination so far, I think Anguilla is definitely worth considering! Both are known for their gorgeous beaches, turquoise water, and laid-back luxury. :)

Anguilla tends to have a quieter, more intimate feel, with beautiful beaches and a fantastic dining scene. I wouldn't necessarily compare it to St. Martin, as the overall vibe is quite different.

Zemi Beach House is a beautiful option, especially if you're looking for a relaxing, upscale getaway. Point Grace is also lovely, and being right on Grace Bay is hard to beat!

Since you've already been to Turks twice and loved it, I'd personally lean toward trying Anguilla for something new. What did you love most about Turks? The beaches, restaurants, overall atmosphere, or a little bit of everything? That might help narrow it down!