Thirteen restaurants will showcase lobster samplers and meals over the weekend of 30th November and 1st December when the British Virgin Islands celebrates the annual Anegada Lobster Festival. Now in its 12th year, this is the greatest number of restaurants to ever participate in what has been described as the grandest crustacean feast in the region. Themed “Lobster, Sun and Anegada Fun”, the celebration thrives on visitors making the rounds to Anegada’s finest eateries, watering holes and attractions.
“We are excited about the high level of participation by the businesses on the island for this year’s Anegada Lobster Festival. We will continue to work with industry partners and government and statutory agency partners to make the experience more seamless from arrival, throughout the festival experience, right through to departure,” said Clive McCoy, British Virgin Islands’ Director of Tourism. “Stay tuned to our social media pages for updates including when we will be releasing our “flapbook”, which provides patrons with a guide to all things Lobster Festival, including a map, accommodations, marine and land transportation, attractions, restaurant menus, and reminders for a safe celebration,” he added.
New this year, is a competition for the best lobster sampler, which will be judged by a renowned regional culinarian, Executive Chef Shane Huggins who is Chef Ambassador for Saint Martin’s Gastronomy Festival 2024. The winner will win the first ever ALFFY Award along with bragging rights as creator of the top lobster sampler. Another new feature being introduced is the sampler voucher which would be given out to approximately 600 lucky patrons, allowing them to get free samples from participating restaurants. One voucher per person will be issued on a limited, first come first serve basis, between Saturday and Sunday.
Back by popular demand will be the Family Fun Day presented by the VI Recreation Trust which will showcase waterslides and pools, bouncy houses, for the enjoyment of the children and young at heart; musical entertainment greeting all arriving ferry passengers at the ferry dock; and the Party Cycle taking riders vibing and imbibing while enjoying the Anegada scenery.
The festival will kick off on the morning of Saturday 30th November with the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission (BVITBFC) Team welcoming arriving visitors at the ferry dock and airport. Each participating restaurant will welcome festivalgoers to their establishments with a $10 lobster sampler along with an enticing regular menu. The restaurants that confirmed participation so far are new entry Flamingo Pride along with stalwarts Lil Bit, KG’s Café, Anegada Reef Hotel, Big Bamboo, Cow Wreck, Flash of Beauty, Lobster Trap, Wonky Dog, Pink Flamingo, Potter’s by the Sea, Sid’s at Pomato Point and Tipsy.
Options for travelling to and from Anegada are numerous and include planes, passenger ferries, car ferries or barges from the USVI, Tortola, Jost Van Dyke and Virgin Gorda. On island, taxi services will be available to take guests around to the participating restaurants as well as for private transfers.
Anegada’s vast array of unique attractions and activities beckon to all festivalgoers to come and indulge. Attractions include the Flamingo Point Lookout, Conch Shell Mounds Lookout, Faulkner House Museum, Fisherman’s Wharf, the Iguana Headstart Facility and the Anegada Conch Shell Mounds also known as Conch Island. Scooter-riding, horseback riding, kiteboarding, snorkeling, hiking and kayaking are some of the activities to enjoy during a weekend at the festival.
BVITBFC Events Manager Dirk Walters who along with his team are spearheading the organization of the Anegada Lobster Festival said, “We are anticipating an action-packed weekend full of culinary experiences and flowing cocktails that will delight our patrons, along with beautiful weather, perfectly aligning with our theme “Lobster, Sun and Anegada Fun.” I wish all a safe and enjoyable Anegada Lobster Festival!”
The Anegada Lobster Festival is produced by the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission, which works closely with Anegada businesses and the community as well as with many government and statutory agency partners including the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, BVI Ports Authority, Customs and Immigration, BVI Health Services Authority, Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR), Department of Disaster Management, Public Health Department, and Environmental Health Department. Confirmed sponsors are Caribbean Airlines, SHRM and the BVI Tourist Board & Film Commission.
For more information and updates on the Anegada Lobster Festival visit BVIFOODFETE.COM.