Anguilla holidays: the Caribbean's finest beaches and great food
A flat, quiet island with more than 30 beaches, turquoise water and some of the Caribbean's best restaurants. Anguilla is for anyone who wants beach, food and peace, without casinos and cruise ships.
Anguilla
Photo: Ramon Kagie / Unsplash
Anguilla at a glance
The boat from St Martin crosses the channel in under half an hour, and you step ashore on a low, long island with white sand along almost the whole coast. Anguilla is a British Overseas Territory in the north eastern Caribbean. There are no high-rises, no big casinos and few cruise ships.
The island is known for its beaches and its food, from grilled crayfish at beach bars to restaurants run by chefs from around the world. See more islands in our Caribbean guide and St Barths.
What to see
Shoal Bay East
Long and white, and often ranked among the Caribbean's finest beaches. The reef just offshore gives good snorkelling.
Meads Bay and Rendezvous Bay
Meads Bay has several of the best hotels and restaurants. Rendezvous Bay looks across to St Martin and has beach bars with music.
Boat trips to the cays
Prickly Pear Cays and Sandy Island are tiny islands with beaches and snorkelling, a short boat ride from the main island.
Boat racing
Sailing races are the national sport. The biggest races are around Anguilla Day at the end of May and during the August carnival.
Anguilla
Photo: Steve Adams / Unsplash
When to go
December to April: high season, dry and warm.
May to July: good weather, quieter and lower prices.
August to October: hurricane season. Some hotels close for a while.
Good to know
The easiest route is a flight to St Martin and a boat on to Anguilla.
The currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar, but US dollars are used everywhere.
Hire a car to get around. They drive on the left.
Where to stay
Anguilla has some of the Caribbean's best beach hotels, especially on Meads Bay and Maundays Bay. A dedicated Anguilla hotel guide is on the way.
Frequently asked questions about Anguilla
How do I get to Anguilla?
Fly to St Martin and take the boat across. The crossing takes under half an hour.
When is the best time to visit Anguilla?
December to April brings dry, warm weather. May to July is quieter and cheaper.
What is the difference between Anguilla and St Barths?
Anguilla is flatter, quieter and has longer beaches. St Barths is French, with more going on, shopping and a lively harbour town.
What currency is used in Anguilla?
The Eastern Caribbean dollar, but US dollars are accepted everywhere.