© Diego Maritottini/Getty Images

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

  • S
    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…

  • S
    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…

  • P
    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…

  • L
    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…

  • M
    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…

  • S
    Sandy Island Office

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

  • S
    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…

  • H
    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…

  • R
    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…

Top attractions

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

  • See

    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…

  • See

    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…

  • See

    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…

  • See

    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…

  • See

    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…

  • See

    Sandy Island Office

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

  • See

    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…

  • See

    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…

  • See

    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…

Guidebooks

Purchase our award-winning guidebooks

Get to the heart of Anguilla with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.