Anguilla is home to some of the best beaches in the entire Caribbean — long white-sand bays, shallow turquoise water, and a low-key atmosphere.
There are no big cruise ports, no high-rise hotel strips, and no huge nightlife district. The appeal is relaxation, food, scenery, and villa or resort stays.
Anguilla is a strong fit for beach lovers, couples, luxury travelers, families looking for calmer water, and anyone who wants a quieter Caribbean trip.
Plan Your Anguilla Escape
Anguilla’s beaches and island scale reward travelers who sort out transport before arrival.
- Find top hotels & stays:
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How to Get to Anguilla
Option 1: Fly to St. Maarten → Ground Transfer to Marigot → Public Ferry to Anguilla
- Fly into SXM (Princess Juliana International Airport) on the Dutch side.
- For the main public ferry, take a ground transfer to Marigot on the French side of St. Martin. Do not assume the public ferry pier is next to the airport.
- Take the public ferry from Marigot to Blowing Point, Anguilla.
The Government of Anguilla identifies Marigot–Blowing Point as the main public-ferry connection. Current departure times can change, so verify the live schedule before travel rather than relying on a fixed timetable copied into an article.
Important: Private and semi-private sea shuttles may use different docks, including locations closer to SXM. Those services are separate from the main Marigot public ferry.
Option 2: Fly Direct to Anguilla (AXA)
Direct and regional flights serve Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport (AXA). Routes vary, so compare current schedules for your travel dates.
Option 3: Private or Semi-Private Boat Transfer
Private and semi-private transfers operate between St. Maarten/St. Martin and Anguilla. Confirm the exact departure dock, immigration process, luggage rules, and fare before booking.
Pro tip: If you are using the public ferry after landing at SXM, build enough time for airport formalities, the cross-island drive to Marigot, ferry check-in, and immigration.
✈️ Compare flights to SXM or Anguilla
Where to Stay
| Area | Vibe | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Shoal Bay East | Turquoise water + relaxed beach days | First-timers & families |
| Meads Bay | Luxury resorts + sunsets | Couples + upscale travelers |
| Rendezvous Bay | Long quiet beach | Privacy + calm |
| Sandy Ground | Beach bars + dining | Social travelers |
Booking tip: If beach access is your top priority, Shoal Bay or Meads Bay are strong bases.
Best Beaches
| Beach | Why Go | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shoal Bay East | Long white-sand beach and turquoise water | Check current sea conditions before swimming |
| Meads Bay | Luxury stays + sunsets | Conditions vary by day |
| Rendezvous Bay | Long, peaceful beach | Good walking beach |
| Maundays Bay | Photogenic turquoise water | Resort area |
| Little Bay | Cliff-backed cove | Boat/kayak access |
Shoal Bay is one of Anguilla’s signature beach stops, but no beach should be described as “perfect every day”; wind, swell and currents can change conditions.
Top Things to Do
1) Shoal Bay Day
Beach time, swimming when conditions suit, and a relaxed waterfront lunch.
2) Meads Bay
Combine beach time with restaurants and sunset.
3) Little Bay Snorkeling
Reach by boat or kayak and check water conditions before entering.
4) Sandy Island / Prickly Pear Cays
Use a reputable boat operator and verify weather and return times.
5) Dining
Anguilla is well known for seafood, grills, beach restaurants and upscale dining.
Transportation
- Rent a car if you want to explore several beaches independently.
- Taxis are widely used but can become expensive for repeated long trips.
- Road quality, lighting and traffic conditions vary. Drive cautiously, especially at night or on unfamiliar roads.
3–7 Day Itineraries
3 Days:
Day 1: Shoal Bay
Day 2: Meads Bay
Day 3: Little Bay + sunset dinner
5 Days:
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: Add Sandy Island, extra beach mornings, and additional restaurant nights.
Safety & Practical Notes
Current advisory — August 2026: Anguilla is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. The U.S. State Department describes it as generally safe for travelers, but normal precautions still apply and hurricane risk remains part of trip planning.
- Secure valuables and use normal awareness, especially after dark.
- Use trusted transport and reputable boat operators.
- Check beach and marine conditions before swimming or snorkeling.
- Use strong sun protection.
- Verify current ferry and flight schedules close to travel.
Ready to Book Your Anguilla Trip?
Internal Links
- St. Maarten / St. Martin Guide
- St. Lucia Guide
- Barbados Guide
- Aruba Guide
- Curaçao Guide
- Bonaire Guide
Spanish Summary — Resumen en Español
Anguilla es conocida por sus playas tranquilas y ambiente relajado. Si llegas al aeropuerto SXM y quieres usar el ferry público principal, debes trasladarte por tierra hasta Marigot, en el lado francés de St. Martin, y desde allí tomar el ferry a Blowing Point. Anguilla está actualmente en Nivel 1: precauciones normales; sigue usando transporte confiable, protege tus objetos de valor y revisa las condiciones del mar y los horarios actuales del ferry antes del viaje.