In Anguilla, if you stay on the main roads, you miss out on many cute and charming shops. Exploring the side roads leads to unexpected pleasures.

For instance, I hadn’t seen any bookstores in Anguilla although I had been to the library in the Valley. But then I saw a Facebook post that mentioned the Coral Reef Bookstore in Little Harbour. I immediately decided to look for it.

Still operating from the mindset that the store would be in a building in a business district, I drove towards Little Harbour using my phone map/directions. Just past the Little Harbour sign on Jeremiah Gumbs Highway, there was a sign for the Coral Reef Bookstore directing me to turn left, taking a road up a hill into a neighborhood. At the top of the hill, another sign directed me to turn right. This road was clearly residential and appeared to end in Elsie Bay.

But about halfway to the Bay, another sign announced that I had arrived at the Coral Reef Bookstore.

The entrance to the property is on an attractive, paved driveway passing a lovely yard where a boulder declares “Our Haven.”

I continued down the drive to the back of the building where there is a large parking lot. The Coral Reef Bookstore is on the lower floor of the building which is the home of the owners of the bookstore. The property is attractively landscaped and inviting.

Although small, the Coral Reef Bookstore is packed with volumes on a wide variety of subjects with something for everyone and every age.

There’s an excellent selection of books for children and adults about Anguilla and the Caribbean region.

In addition to books, there are games and other activities.

One of the co-owners is an educator so there is a room devoted to teachers,

There is also a used book section for those wanting a novel to read on the beach.

The Coral Reef Bookstore is open daily except for Wednesday and Sunday. It is well worth exploring the side roads when you can find a charming gem like this!

Upon leaving the property, I decided to continue down the road to Elsie Bay.

The views from the shore reef are beautiful. There is not a beach, but exploring the rocky shore is challenging fun.

The Coral Reef Bookstore should definitely be on your list of go-to places in Anguilla!

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