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Anguilla

Fringed by shimmering white-sand beaches shaded by coconut palms and sea-grape trees, and filled with colorfully painted, open-sided beach bars serving sizzling barbecues, feisty rum punches and live reggae tunes, Anguilla is the Caribbean dream come true. Its crystal-clear waters and vibrant reefs offer spectacular snorkeling, glass-bottomed kayaking, and sailing to islets and atolls scattered offshore.

The island's rich and varied history dates back to settlement by the Amerindians and Arawaks, with extraordinary rock art still being discovered in sites such as Fountain Cavern National Park. And unlike many nearby islands, the flat terrain makes it easy to get around by car, bicycle or quad bike.

There's a catch, of course. Anguilla is no shoestring destination and authenticity comes at a premium here. Luxury hotels and private villas cater to jet-setters craving a vacation off the radar. Visit outside high season for a more affordable taste of paradise.

Explore Anguilla

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Anguilla.

  • Island

    Sandy Island

    A trip to this tiny solar-powered islet is the quintessential Anguilla dream experience. Picture pure white-sand beach fringed by palm trees, translucent…

  • Beach

    Shoal Bay East

    Idyllic Shoal Bay East – a shimmering 2-mile stretch of brilliant pinkish-white sand strewn with tiny crushed shells – is still miraculously blight-free…

  • Island

    Prickly Pear Cays

    Perhaps topping even Anguilla's tiara of beaches, this twin island some 6 miles (10km) northwest of Sandy Ground seduces with its pristine white-sand…

  • Beach

    Little Bay

    Among Anguilla's more secluded beaches, west-facing Little Bay is a sublime sliver of sand with excellent swimming, snorkeling and sunsets. It can only be…

  • Beach

    Meads Bay

    This long majestic white-sand beach exudes sultry languor and is a lovely spot to swim or take a sunset stroll. It's bookended by the Four Seasons and…

  • Island

    Sandy Island Office

    Buy tickets for the trip out to Sandy Island at this little office next to Johnno's.

  • Beach

    Sandy Ground

    Fronting bobbing yachts and a couple of small piers, this golden-sand beach is calm, shallow and free from coral, making it a good spot to splash about…

  • Museum

    Heritage Collection Museum

    Anguilla’s lone museum is curated by island historian Colville Petty who has amassed an astonishing and eclectic assortment of artifacts to chronicle…

  • Beach

    Rendezvous Bay

    Cradled by calm, crystal-clear waters, this pearly white crescent is idyllic for an extended stroll with a rum-punch stop or live music at Bankie Banx's…

  • Historic Building

    Wallblake House

    Behind a white picket fence, Wallblake House dates to 1787. It's considered the oldest structure on Anguilla and is the only remaining plantation house on…

  • Beach

    Crocus Bay

    Although off the charts in terms of beauty, Crocus Bay beach is often overshadowed by Anguilla's more famous strands. This calm crescent oozes dreamy…

  • Beach

    Shoal Bay West

    The island road ends at this divine and often deserted south-facing sweep of white powdery sand with views of St-Martin/Sint Maarten and great sunsets…

  • Beach

    Cove Bay

    Sea grapes hem in this fairly narrow sliver of sand along Cove Bay, a refreshingly undeveloped beach that's great for whiling away an afternoon in…

  • Beach

    Junk's Hole

    At the end of a bumpy unpaved road 1.2km off Walter Hodge Rd (turn east at the Island Hill supermarket), this silent stretch of windswept sand flanked by…

  • Church

    St Gerard's Catholic Church

    Built in 1966, after the previous chapel was destroyed by a 1961 hurricane, St Gerard’s has a unique facade of pebbles, stones, timber and tiles, open-air…

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Anguilla.

  • Activities

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