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Anguilla Travel Guide: Best Beaches, Shoal Bay, Where to Stay & How to Get There

Image by SABRINA FABRI from Pixabay

Anguilla is home to some of the best beaches in the entire Caribbean — long white-sand bays, shallow turquoise water, and almost no crowds.

There are no big cruise ports, no high-rise hotels, no busy beach strips.
Just relaxation, food, scenery, and luxury villas.

Anguilla is perfect for:

  • Beach lovers
  • Couples
  • Luxury travelers
  • Families looking for calm water
  • Anyone who wants quiet Caribbean beauty without chaos

If you want perfect beaches + peace, Anguilla is it.

Plan Your Anguilla Escape

Anguilla’s pristine beaches and island charm deserve smooth travel planning. Below are trusted tools to compare hotels, airport transfers, tours, and car rentals — all designed to help you make the most of your visit.


How to Get to Anguilla

Option 1: Fly to St. Maarten → Ferry to Anguilla (most common)

  • Fly into SXM (Princess Juliana Airport)
  • Walk to the ferry pier (or take 5–10 min taxi)
  • Ferry to Blowing Point, Anguilla

Ferry time: 15–25 minutes

Option 2: Fly Direct to Anguilla (AXA)

  • Direct flights are limited but increasing (Miami, San Juan)

Option 3: Private Boat

  • From St. Maarten → Anguilla (luxury option)

Pro Tip:
Most travelers choose St. Maarten → Ferry because it’s simple, fast, and scenic.

Most visitors fly into Princess Juliana International (SXM) and then make their way to Anguilla via ferry or private transport. Once you arrive, many travelers rent a car to explore the island at their own pace:
Compare car rental options on Expedia — convenient for reaching beaches, viewpoints, and hidden coves.


Where to Stay

Best Areas to Base Yourself

AreaVibeBest For
Shoal Bay EastTurquoise water + calm wavesFirst-timers & families
Meads BayLuxury resorts + sunsetsCouples + upscale travelers
Rendezvous BayLong quiet beachPrivacy + calm
Sandy GroundBeach bars + diningSocial travelers

Budget Tiers

  • $ Guesthouses + small inns around Island Harbour
  • $$ Boutique hotels in Meads Bay / Rendezvous
  • $$$ Luxury villas + high-end beachfront resorts

Booking Tip:
If beach quality is the priority → stay Shoal Bay or Meads Bay.


Best Beaches (Anguilla’s Strength)

BeachWhy GoNotes
Shoal Bay EastOften ranked #1 in the CaribbeanCalm, shallow, perfect every day
Meads BayLuxury + perfect swimmingAmazing sunsets
Rendezvous BayLong, peaceful, quietGreat walking beach
Maundays BayPicture-perfect turquoiseCalm water
Little BayCliff-surrounded coveBoat/kayak access

Shoal Bay is a must — probably the best all-around beach in the region.

Best Hotels & Stays for Your Anguilla Trip

Whether you’re visiting Shoal Bay or the quieter eastern beaches, booking accommodation early helps you secure the best locations. Compare options with trusted reviews here:
Search hotels & places to stay (Expedia)

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Top Things to Do

1) Shoal Bay Day

All-white sand + shallow turquoise water.
Rent chairs → chill → float → eat beachfront lunch.

2) Meads Bay → Beach Bar Hop

Smooth water + great food (Blanchards, four-star restaurants, beach lounges).

3) Little Bay Snorkeling

Reach by boat or kayak → cliff-backed mini cove.

4) Sandy Island / Prickly Pear Cays

Boat trip to tiny offshore islands.

5) Dining

Anguilla has some of the best cuisine in the Caribbean.


Food & Drinks

Anguilla is a chef’s island — big on seafood, grills, and fine dining.

Try:

  • Snapper
  • Lobster dishes
  • Grilled mahi
  • Local BBQ plates
  • Rum punch (classic Caribbean-style)

Top areas:

  • Sandy Ground
  • Meads Bay
  • Shoal Bay (kiosks + casual lounges)

Transportation

  • Rent a car — best way to explore multiple beaches.
  • Taxis are reliable but expensive for long distances.
  • Roads are safe and easy to drive.

If you’re considering travel combinations — like flights to SXM or ferries from St. Martin — you can also compare travel and flight options to coordinate your itinerary:
Compare flights & travel options (Expedia)


3–7 Day Itineraries

3 Days (Perfect Quick Trip):
Day 1: Shoal Bay
Day 2: Meads Bay
Day 3: Little Bay + Sunset dinner

5 Days (Balanced):
Day 1: Shoal Bay
Day 2: Meads Bay → Sandy Ground
Day 3: Prickly Pear Cays
Day 4: Rendezvous Bay
Day 5: Meads Bay sunset

7 Days (Full Week):
Add:

  • Day trip to Sandy Island
  • Extra Shoal Bay mornings
  • Food nights in Sandy Ground

Safety & Practical Notes

  • Extremely safe island
  • Tap water is desalinated + clean
  • Reef-safe sunscreen recommended
  • Strong sun year-round

Ready to Book Your Anguilla Trip?

Whether you’re securing lodging, a rental car, or beach tours, planning ahead helps you make the most of island time. Here are trusted tools to book with confidence:


Internal Links


Spanish Summary — Resumen en Español

Anguilla es famosa por tener algunas de las mejores playas del Caribe, como Shoal Bay.
La forma más común de llegar es ferri desde St. Maarten.
Es un destino tranquilo, seguro y perfecto para relajarse y disfrutar playas de agua azul clara.

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