August Monday on Anguilla

St. Maarten Activities

While the party of August Monday takes place on Anguilla, it is also very much a St. Maarten, St. Martin event as the dual island is only six miles away and twenty minutes by ferry and most of the revelers come over from here.

Sailing is Anguilla’s national sport and on August Monday crews battle it out in handmade yachts for a hefty jackpot.

Cheered on by what seems to be the entire population, the racing is tough and furious. At the same time, August Monday is something of a last hoorah before hurricane season. A fleet of boats comes over from St. Maarten, St. Martin and spills out hundreds of party goers to romp on the beach and to enjoy a drink or two or seven and watch the racing.

Weaving your way through the throng of revelers who pack impromptu bars on the beach dancing to live music, it’s hard to imagine that for the other 364 days of the year, this stretch of beach is a strip of tranquility. On this day, however, Neptune gives way to Bacchus.