Anegada Island, British Virgin Islands

When Columbus discovered the British Virgin Islands in 1493, he seemed to have missed Anegada, about 15 miles northwest of the other islands out in the Atlantic. If he had spotted it, Anegada might have convinced him once and for all that he had reached some outpost of the Indies. It is a limestone and coral atoll much more like the ones in the South Pacific or the Indian Ocean.

It is easy to miss, even though it covers 15 square miles. At its highest point, Anegada is only 27 feet above sea level. And as mariners have discovered over the centuries, the coral shelf that extends out from it is treacherous. More than 300 ships have been sent to the bottom because of it. There are more wrecks off Anegada than anywhere else in the Caribbean area. The wrecks and reefs themselves have been enhanced with colorful formations of exotic undersea plants and animal life. Anegada is a paradise for divers.

With a population of about 250, Anegada's tourist facilities are limited to a campground, several guest cottages, and one 18-room hotel. Government efforts to keep the island as close to nature as possible have resulted in the recent introduction of a sanctuary for flamingos, ospreys, and terns supervised by the National Parks Trust.

Tarpon and bonefish are the primary reason to come fish the island as it has expansive flats that are easily accessed from the hotel and the guides have lived on and fished the island their entire life. Bones range in size from 3-6 pounds with some in the double digits and tarpon nearing 100 pounds are present as well.

There is virtually no equipment to be found on the island so you must come with your own, including flies and leaders materials.

Clothing and equipment checklist -- Tropical

We highly recommend an emergency evacuation membership for this trip. It costs well over $100,000 to be air lifted to a safe US hospital from many parts of the world. These services will not be covered by general travel insurance or medical insurance. We use GLOBAL RESCUE.

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