Don’t let Anguilla’s diminutive size deceive you. At just 33 sq miles, the island is home to world-class beaches, a vibrant music scene, and an enchanting blend of luxury and authenticity. It’s a haven for honeymooners and romantic escapes but also appeals to families and multigenerational groups seeking something beyond the ordinary.
Ask any of the devout repeat visitors, and they’ll wax lyrical about this off-the-beaten-path Caribbean gem. Its location, far enough from neighboring St. Maarten, means Anguilla sidesteps mass tourism, focusing more on independent and boutique offerings. You won’t find casinos, cruise ships, or nightclubs here. Instead, you’ll discover Anguilla’s brand of cool: a destination that practically defines barefoot luxury and celebrates life’s simple pleasures.
Discover Anguilla’s World-Famous Beaches
For any traveler who doesn’t consider themselves a beach lover, Anguilla’s pristine white beaches will convert you. At just 16mi long and 3 mi wide, the island is home to 33 beaches, meaning you’re never far from a stunning stretch of sand.
For those seeking the ultimate in picturesque destinations, Anguilla’s most celebrated beaches, including Meads Bay, Shoal Bay, and Rendezvous Bay, have garnered lots of love for a reason. On each, you’ll find restaurant outposts with beach chairs where you can spend the day slipping between the sun and the sea pre- or post-dining.
For those who want more adventure, grab a rental car and head out to explore. When driving in Anguilla, you’ll be reminded that this is still a British Overseas Territory – don’t forget to drive left! The eastern end of the island offers a range of beaches perfect for exploring spirits. Head to Captain’s Bay for a rugged end-of-the-world vibe where you’ll likely be rewarded with a beach all to yourself.
Taste Your Way Through the Island
Anguilla’s impressive dining scene takes many visitors by surprise. With chefs from around the globe calling the island home, the biggest challenge is fitting your dining wishlist into a single visit.
Chef-proprietors run many of the island’s restaurants and take pride in consistently putting out fabulous food. For fine dining, don’t miss Jacala, a French restaurant on Meads Bay that offers a long, drawn-out lunch. Prepare for a bottle of rosé and a multi-course meal that’s bound to be your day’s most important affair.
Ember Restaurant, helmed by chef Marc Alvarez, is a must for dinner, offering wood-fired cuisine that celebrates local ingredients, including specialities like wood-roasted crayfish scampi alongside lavender-braised lamb shank on its seasonally changing menu. Nab a pre-dinner aperitivo at the bar before sliding into an outdoor table and relaxing for the remainder of the night.
For a more casual approach to dining, try Picante, a taqueria with Caribbean influences doling out pitchers of serrano margaritas and specialties like double-decker fish tacos prepared with fresh grilled mahi.
Tap into Anguillian History and Culture
The Anguilla National Trust was founded in 1989 with a focus on sustaining the island’s cultural heritage. In addition to research and conservation work, the ANT, located in the former Customs Building in the Valley, offers hikes and opportunities for visitors and locals to engage in conservation projects.
For wildlife enthusiasts, check out opportunities to participate in their Sea Turtle Monitoring Program during nesting season. For lovers of history and heritage, the ANT’s Heritage Tour focuses on Anguilla’s history from the Amerindian era to the island’s colonial past and brings to life sometimes overlooked buildings and monuments. The National Trust’s hiking tours take place all around the island and occasionally head to off-island cays like Dog and Scrub Islands.
Explore the Island by Boat
Just one glimpse of Anguilla’s neon-hued seas, and you’ll quickly realize that not all beaches and coastlines are created equal. Anguilla’s crystalline waters are straight out of a postcard, and there’s no better way to explore than by boat.
The island’s small size means that you can visit a range of beaches, hidden coves, and off-island cays in a single day for a mix of sun, sand, and snorkeling. Don’t miss a stop at Little Bay (a very secluded beach) and a quick zip by Anguilla’s arch formation on the island’s West End.
Alternatively, enjoy lunch at Falcon’s Nest in Island Harbour, a casual restaurant owned by local fishermen situated within the island’s primary fishing village.
Cruise to Anguilla’s Off-Island Cays
If you thought Anguilla felt remote before, wait until you experience the islands off the coast. For the ultimate desert island experience, head to one of three primary off-island cays: Scilly Cay, Sandy Island, or Prickly Pear.
Each island has its own personality, and all three offer dining options to make a day of the experience. Generally open just two days per week, Scilly Cay is known for serving up one of the island’s best lobster lunches alongside its famed rum punches. To get to Scilly, take a small shuttle from Island Harbour’s pier on the island’s eastern side.
Sandy Island provides an Instagram-worthy backdrop with its colorful beach hut and photogenic corners.
Uncover the Beauty of Little Bay
Little Bay, situated on the island’s north shore, is accessible only by water – unless you count the rock-mounted rope that allows you to rappel down to its beach.
With stunning, rugged rock formations and a picture-perfect crescent-shaped cove, Little Bay is a truly unique landscape on the island. For active adventure seekers, climb to the top of the rock at Little Bay to take the plunge, a rite of passage for many visitors to this picturesque enclave.
Go Horseback Riding on Cove Bay
For more than 25 years, Tonia of Anguilla’s Seaside Stables has operated a private ranch in Anguilla. Set on Cove Bay, nine horses call Seaside Stables home. Visitors can enjoy beach rides to explore the shoreline or dip into the sea.
Try Your Hand at Watersports
Anguilla provides a perfect backdrop for active travelers who prefer to take their workout to the sea. Try stand-up paddleboarding or kitesurfing. For newbies, Anguilla’s conditions make it a perfect destination to learn how to kitesurf, and Anguilla Watersports’ Kiteboarding Academy will get you on the sea with a professional.
Get Pampered at the Spa
At its core, Anguilla is about downshifting and celebrating a slower pace of life. Spa services may help with unwinding. Many of the island’s five-star resorts offer a bevy of spa services, but none is more captivating than Zemi Beach’s Thai House Spa.
Scope Out Anguilla’s Best Beach Bars
Anguilla seamlessly blends casual and glamorous offerings. You’re likely to have breakfast at your hotel, lunch at a beach shack, and dinner at an upscale restaurant before heading to a no-frills beach bar.
In the evening, visit Sandy Ground, the main harbor and closest option to nightlife on the island. Here, you’ll find Elvis’ Beach Bar, a long-time favorite. Try one of Elvis’ margaritas or a classic rum punch.
Take in Live Music at The Dune Preserve
Music lovers will fawn over Anguilla’s music scene. Despite a population of merely 14,000, the amount of musical talent on the island is astonishing, with bands and solo artists performing at restaurants, beach bars, and hotels across Anguilla. The Dune Preserve, founded by island music legend Bankie Banx, offers live music in a unique setting.
Sample Local BBQ at Ken’s Pork
Driving through the island’s capital, you’ll see a primary school with hand-painted images of the island’s national symbols. There’s no better way to enjoy Anguilla’s national dish, rice and peas, than served with classic Anguillian BBQ at a local outpost.
Head to Ken’s Pork in the Valley for a taste of island favorites: ribs, chicken, or a combo served with your choice of rice and peas, johnnycakes (cornmeal flatbread), and other island accouterments.
Sail at Sunset on a Traditional West Indian Sloop
Tradition Sailing Charters has quickly become one of Anguilla’s treasured experiences, bringing an authentic Caribbean sailing experience to Anguilla’s shores. Enjoy a morning mimosa while sailing out on a lobster lunch excursion or sip a handcrafted rum punch while watching the sun go down over the Caribbean.
Safety recommendations and restrictions during a pandemic can change rapidly. Travelers are advised to check with local authorities for up-to-date guidance before exploring.
