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…
© 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
- SSandy 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…
- SShoal 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…
- PPrickly 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…
- LLittle 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…
- MMeads 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…
- SSandy Island Office
Buy tickets for the trip out to Sandy Island at this little office next to Johnno's.
- SSandy 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…
- HHeritage 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…
- RRendezvous 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…
Latest Stories from Anguilla
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
Learn more about Anguilla
Ready to go? Get to the heart of Anguilla with one of Lonely Planet's in-depth, award-winning guidebooks.
