If joy had a flavour, it would taste like lobster and Mahi Mahi under the Caribbean sun. The 18th edition of Festival Del Mar, held on April 19th and 20th 2025, offered two days of sea-soaked splendour and seafood satisfaction — and Anguilla showed up hungry and happy.
Each year, this homegrown festival turns the serene Island Harbour fishing village into a lively hub of culinary indulgence, maritime competition, and cultural pride. Designed as a tribute to Anguilla’s longstanding bond with the sea, Festival Del Mar drew hundreds of residents and visitors to bask in the sunshine, the flavours, and the feel-good energy that only Island Harbour delivers.
Forget fine dining — this was fin dining. The array of seafood on offer was nothing short of oceanic excellence. Plates overflowed with buttery crayfish, succulent lobster, spiced shrimp, golden-fried flying fish, and flaky mahi mahi grilled to perfection. Soul-warming bowls of conch and whelk soup among others also kept hands busy and bellies full. For those after something hearty and local, fried jacks and Johnny cakes rounded out many meals.
Handmade goods also found their place under the sun, with vendors showcasing Anguillian-made clothing, jewelry, and wellness products, adding an artisanal charm to the already vibrant scene.
The Deep Sea Fishing Tournament made waves on Day 1, as Team Suntuz reeled in the heaviest fish of the day — a whopping 63.80lb yellowfin tuna. Team Hydrotec snagged the title for the biggest overall catch, proving that patience and bait still rule the deep.
Crowds then turned their attention to the Class B Boat Race. The sleek Alma Gloria sailed into first place, chased by De Storm, FS Tornado, Legal Rights, and Hurricane, each vessel carving through the waters with pride on full display.
The energy was just as electric on Sunday, starting with the Sunfish Race, where Joden Harrigan led the charge, followed by Clorone Rogers, Mathias Pemberton, and Roni Smith. Then came the delightful Model Boat Race, with Darante Connor claiming victory, Joden Harrigan coming in second, and Mathias Pemberton rounding out the top three.
Finally, high-stakes Class A Boat Race kicked off. In a show of speed and seamanship, De Wizard took first place, ahead of Real Deal, De Chan, Sonic, and Satellite.
Another highlight of the day was the 2nd Annual Clean Ocean Swim, where swimmers — some as young as eight — dove into the turquoise waters of Island Harbour Bay. Participants hailed from the All Nations United Swim Club Anguilla, and Anguilla Aqua Stars and were joined by swimmers from St. Martin, Trinidad and Tobago, and other islands across the Caribbean. The race, which offered half-mile and full-mile options, took swimmers around buoys that extended to the beach of Scilly Cay, and was a vibrant call for clean seas and regional unity.
From morning till moonlight, the air was thick with reggae and soca, courtesy of a rotating line-up of performers including DJs, Anguilla’s own PVI and Jamaica’s Etana, who all delivered powerful live sets that had the crowd singing and swaying. Children danced, elders nodded along, and families came together, making memories under sun-drenched skies.
A few colourful kites cut across the horizon, another nod to tradition that added to the festive feel. The jolly spirit of Island Harbour was impossible to miss — whether you were biting into a grilled lobster tail or chatting with a neighbour over a cool drink.
“Festival Del Mar is about more than seafood — it’s about who we are,” one vendor shared, his hands busy plating grilled lobsters. “It’s our way of honouring the sea that feeds us, and the people who make this island what it is.”
And honour it they did — with flavour, flair and plenty of sunshine. As the final notes of music faded and the boats returned to dock, Festival Del Mar 2025 left behind full bellies, sun-kissed cheeks and a salty reminder that in Anguilla, the sea isn’t just part of the view — it’s part of the soul.
