Anegada Lobster Festival Returns November 28–30
The Anegada Lobster Festival, part of the month-long BVI Food Fête, runs November 28 to 30 and brings three days of music, family activities and dozens of lobster dishes to Anegada. The event, created by the BVI Tourist Board and Film Commission in 2011 to boost local tourism, also highlights the island's unique ecology and community.
Anegada offers a different side of the BVI: flat coral and limestone shores, white sand beaches and a reputation for some of the best Caribbean spiny lobster. From November 28 to 30, the island will host the Anegada Lobster Festival as part of the month-long BVI Food Fête, inviting residents and visitors to sample lobster prepared in traditional and inventive ways while enjoying local music and activities.
Conceived in 2011 by the BVI Tourist Board and Film Commission to support Anegada's tourism-dependent economy and showcase the island's culture, the festival is now in its 13th year. Participating restaurants create signature lobster tasters at a flat price, and festivalgoers collect stamps in an Anegada Lobster Festival Passport.
Completed passports can be entered for a grand prize; past winners have received round-trip tickets to Miami or other Caribbean destinations. Expect familiar favourites and surprising twists. Past menus have included curried lobster, jerk lobster, lobster beignets, quesadillas, ceviche, kebabs, lobster in white wine with garlic butter and even lobster ice cream.
The festival highlights the Caribbean spiny lobster, a species notable for its protective forward-pointing spines and absence of large front claws. Families can enjoy bouncy castles, games and foam parties organised by the VI Recreation Trust, part of the Ministry of Education and Culture.
Nature-minded visitors can visit Anegada National Parks to see rock iguanas, wild orchids and coastal bird habitats, or snorkel the reefs to spot needlefish, bonefish, stingrays and parrotfish. At the Anegada Reef Hotel guests can even reach into a lobster trap and handle a lobster under supervision.
Local culture is front and centre with live Fungi bands, reggae and RnB providing the soundtrack. The festival also runs a children�s design competition for the official flap book cover, with the winning artwork used as a keepsake for attendees. Getting to Anegada is straightforward for residents: fly to Terrance B.
Lettsome International Airport on Tortola, or arrive by ferry from Tortola, Jost van Dyke, Virgin Gorda and the US Virgin Islands. Small aircraft charters and boat charters are also options. Locals should note that Sunday, the final day, is traditionally the busiest and most festive, so plan travel and lodging early to avoid disappointment.
For BVI residents the festival remains an important community event that supports local businesses, celebrates island culture and draws attention to Anegada�s unique marine environment.
Primary source: VI Property&Yacht