During my first visit to Anguilla 50 years ago, my brother-in-law went spear fishing at Forest Bay while my husband and I watched from the shore. He arose from the sea with a conch shell on his spear point. When he reached the beach, he pulled the conch from the shell and handed it to me. I washed the conch in the sea and then ate it. Delish!

The conch pictured below is NOT the one I ate 50 years ago! (Thanks, Wikimedia.)

On this visit to the beach at Forest Bay, my granddaughter and I just explored the rocky tidal pools and the beach for shells. We found several conch shells, but no tasty conch that day.

Unlike many of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean, Anguilla is essentially a coral and limestone reef with only a thin layer of soil in certain areas. The structure of the island is clear to see in the rocky outcrops along the Forest Bay. These coral ledges provide protection to the sandy beaches while the surf brings shells to leave their beauty on the shore.

Walking along the shore towards the sea reef that stretches to the land, there is a perfect beach for swimming. The water is calm and the slope from the shore is gradual. Slip into the turquoise water and enjoy a swim with views of St. Martin across the channel.

Once we came back home, our beachcombing finds made a beautiful display.

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