Escaping the Carribean Escape at Scilly Cay, Anguilla

There’s getting away from it all, and then there’s getting away from where everyone else gets away from it all. The island restaurant of Scilly Cay provides the latter — and grilled lobsters that could’ve starred in 1950s monster movies.

Located a short boat ride off the coast of the trade winds getaway of Anguilla, Scilly Cay offers two meals a day — serving lunch and dinner to visitors looking for a genuine Caribbean dining experience. Anyone and everyone is welcome to stop off on the tiny island to enjoy a rum punch, some live reggae and massive helpings of fresh bbq and seafood.

Also: Travel: Escaping Winter at Seven Stars Resort and Spa, Turks and Caicos

When you mention the Caribbean to the average traveler, he or she will probably conjure images of Bermuda, Jamaica or the islands of the Bahamas. But, Anguilla is a little less well known. Smaller than its nearest island neighbor, St. Martin, Anguilla offers all of the beauty, sunshine and mellow R&R of other Caribbean destinations without the crowds and manufactured culture of its rivals.

That all adds up to an opportunity to enjoy all of the traditional tourist attractions of beaches, resorts and spas while a genuine, vibrant and largely untouched island culture flourishes around you. A trip to Scilly Cay brings a traveler closer to that culture.

The tide walls lining the island, its boat landing and the restaurant are forged from conch shells, and the visitor follows their path to drum grills smoldering away with ashing coals. While a live band rolls out Red, Red Wine and Stir Me Up, a simple selection beers and rail drinks whet the appetite.

Family-style orders of fresh chicken and fish come off the grills for relaxed consumption, but the Atlantic lobsters are the real stars of the Scilly Cay show. Roughly the size of a u-boat, they come off the flames with their shells split and the meat slightly smoked. Play your cards right and one of the cooks might teach you the finer points of grilling a lobster.

The restaurant is open to any visitors, and reservations are not necessary. In fact, all a traveler has to do to visit is stand on the dock across the bay and wave for a ride. The lobster you’ll end up enjoying is only slightly smaller than the skiff that’ll bring you to your destination.

You can see more of Scilly Cay in the gallery below.

Photos by John Scott Lewinski