Scilly Cay makes for a fun, albeit expensive day on Anguilla

It is a novelty to stand on the dock and wave for the boat to come and pick you up. It's a two minute ride (if that) from the dock to the small island just off shore.

They offer rum punch (what Caribbean establishment doesn't?) along with lobster, crayfish or barbecued chicken, very basic Caribbean fare. Two lunch plates plus two rum punches will set you back about $160, so this place isn't for the faint of heart.

Scilly Cay does feature local musicians on Wednesdays and Sundays when it can get VERY crowded. If you want a deserted Caribbean island feel you would be better off going on a Saturday or a weekday other than Wednesday when there isn't music so it won't be as crowded.

The little island has gotten itself a reputation over the years and with the influx of visitors from the larger resorts such as Cap Juluca it tends to get crowded. Although nothing happens quickly in the Caribbean it can take up to an hour to get your food served, plenty of time for you to down at least 2 more rum punches (a complaint some make is the food is served slowly for this reason). Also, there isn't any children's menu, so beware if you take the kiddies.

There isn't any decent snorkeling off Scilly Cay so don't bother to drag your gear with you. In fact, you won't find any nice beaches for swimming in Island Harbor, a real drawback if you're considering staying at The Arawak which sits opposite Scilly Cay.

Scilly Cay is a place that people seem to love or hate. But having said that, I remain ambivalent about the place. I've been to Anguilla 9 times and went Scilly Cay once, the first year I traveled there in 1994. I haven't felt a need to return. It was something that we did as first timers so that we could say we did it, but over the years we've found better values and just as much fun elsewhere on the island.

It's our opinion that Smitty, who also has an establishment in Island Harbor, has the best grilled crayfish on the island.

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