Anguilla Travel Planning Guide

The ideal months are December through April, when the weather is dry, sunny, and perfect for the beach. May and June are also great for fewer crowds and lower rates. If you want to avoid seasonal challenges, skip August–October (peak hurricane season) and late May–August when mosquito activity increases after heavy rains. Some beaches may also see sargassum seaweed between July and September.

• 🌐 Language: English is the official language and spoken by nearly everyone.
   
• 💰 Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD) is the official currency, but U.S. dollars are widely accepted.
   
• 🚗 Driving: Cars drive on the left-hand side of the road. Rental cars require a temporary Anguilla driver’s permit (available through most rental companies).
   
• 🛬 Getting There: Most travelers fly into St. Maarten (SXM) and take a short ferry or small flight to Anguilla.
   
• 💡 Helpful Tips:
   
  • Many restaurants add a 10–15% service charge automatically.
     
  • Beach access is public, even in front of resorts.
     
  • Pack reef-safe sunscreen to protect marine life.
     
  • Taxis are available but renting a car is the best way to explore.

1. Relax at Shoal Bay East 🏖️🐠

• One of the best beaches in the world with soft white sand and turquoise waters.
   
• Snorkel the offshore reef for colorful marine life.
   
• Lunch at Madeariman Beach Bar or Gwen’s Reggae Grill.
   

2. Explore Rendezvous Bay 🌊🎶

• Mile-long stretch of calm water perfect for paddleboarding.
   
• Visit Sunshine Shack for BBQ and Bankie Banx’s Dune Preserve for live music.
   

3. Visit Sandy Island 🏝️🍤

• Short boat ride from Sandy Ground to a tiny offshore cay.
   
• Snorkeling, swimming, and fresh seafood at the beach bar.
   

4. Go Snorkeling at Little Bay 🐟🛶

• Only accessible by boat or a rope climb down the cliffs.
   
• Quiet waters with tropical fish and sea turtles.
   

5. Enjoy a Sunset at Meads Bay 🌅🍹

• Upscale resorts and fine dining line this calm, swimmable beach.
   
• Ideal for a romantic sunset walk.
   

6. Explore Maundays Bay 💍🌴

• Home to Cap Juluca resort with crystal-clear waters.
   
• Great for paddleboarding and honeymoon photos.
   

7. Experience Anguilla’s Food Scene 🍽️🌺

• Dine at Veya for gourmet dishes, Blanchards Beach Shack for casual eats, and Tasty’s for local favorites.
   
• Don’t miss the island’s famous crayfish and lobster.
   

8. Visit Heritage Collection Museum 📜🏛️

• Located in East End Village.
   
• Learn about Anguilla’s history and culture.
   

9. Attend the Moonsplash Music Festival 🎶🌕

• Held annually at Dune Preserve on Rendezvous Bay.
   
• One of the Caribbean’s most iconic live music events.
   

10. Explore Prickly Pear Cays 🛥️🐬

• Uninhabited islands for snorkeling, kayaking, and bird watching.
   
• Day trips leave from Sandy Ground.
   

11. Try Kite Surfing at Cove Bay 🏄‍♂️🌊

• Great wind conditions for kite surfing.
   
• Quiet and undeveloped setting.
   

12. Take a Scenic Island Drive 🚗🌴

• Explore small villages, beach bars, and ocean viewpoints.
   
• Remember: drive on the left.
   

13. Discover Fountain Cavern National Park 🪨🌊

• Archaeological site with petroglyphs from Anguilla’s indigenous people.
   
• Guided tours available.
   

14. Enjoy Water Sports in Sandy Ground 🛶🍹

• Hub for sailing, paddleboarding, and boat tours.
   
• Nightlife hot spot with beach bars like Elvis’ and Johnno’s.
   

15. Go Beach Hopping 🏝️🌞

• Visit some of Anguilla’s 33 public beaches.
   
• Don’t miss Barnes Bay, Savannah Bay, and Long Bay for fewer crowds.

1️⃣ Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla
📍 Location: Barnes Bay & Meads Bay

• Closest Beach: Barnes Bay & Meads Bay (Beachfront — 0 minutes)
   
• Nearby Restaurants: Blanchards, Jacala (both on Meads Bay)
   
• Things to Do: Paddleboarding, snorkeling, sunset cocktails at Sunset Lounge
   

2️⃣ Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club
📍 Location: Rendezvous Bay

• Closest Beach: Rendezvous Bay (Beachfront — 0 minutes)
   
• Nearby Restaurants: Sunshine Shack, Bankie Banx’s Dune Preserve
   
• Things to Do: Kayaking, golf, boat trip to Sandy Island
  
   

3️⃣ Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel
📍 Location: Maundays Bay

• Closest Beach: Maundays Bay (Beachfront — 0 minutes)
   
• Nearby Restaurants: Pimms, Cap Shack, Veya (10-min drive)
   
• Things to Do: Complimentary water sports, yacht charters, sunset walks
  
   

4️⃣ Zemi Beach House
📍 Location: Shoal Bay East

• Closest Beach: Shoal Bay East (Beachfront — 0 minutes)
   
• Nearby Restaurants: Madeariman Beach Bar, Tropical Sunset
   
• Things to Do: Snorkeling, beach bar hopping, Fountain Cavern National Park
  

5️⃣ Malliouhana, Auberge Resorts Collection
📍 Location: Meads Bay

• Closest Beach: Meads Bay (Beachfront — 0 minutes)
   
• Nearby Restaurants: Blanchards, Ocean Echo
   
• Things to Do: Sunset catamaran cruises, paddleboarding, spa days
  
   

6️⃣ Frangipani Beach Resort
📍 Location: Meads Bay

• Closest Beach: Meads Bay (Beachfront — 0 minutes)
   
• Nearby Restaurants: Straw Hat Restaurant, Blanchards Beach Shack
   
• Things to Do: Complimentary water sports, beach volleyball, glass-bottom kayaking
  
   

7️⃣ Quintessence Hotel
📍 Location: Long Bay Beach

• Closest Beach: Long Bay Beach (Beachfront — 0 minutes)
   
• Nearby Restaurants: Leon’s at Malliouhana, Jacala (short drive)
   
• Things to Do: Private chef dinners, wine tasting, yoga
   
• Best Months: December–April for the driest weather.
   
• Avoid: Late summer (sargassum possible) + mosquito season after heavy rains.
   

8️⃣ Shoal Bay Villas
📍 Location: Shoal Bay East

• Closest Beach: Shoal Bay East (Beachfront — 0 minutes)
   
• Nearby Restaurants: Gwen’s Reggae Grill, Madeariman Beach Bar
   
• Things to Do: Snorkeling, live music on Sundays, paddleboarding
  

9️⃣ Paradise Cove Resort
📍 Location: Cove Bay area

• Closest Beach: Cove Bay (5-min walk)
   
• Nearby Restaurants: Sunshine Shack, Bankie Banx’s Dune Preserve (10-min walk)
   
• Things to Do: Kite surfing, snorkeling, fishing charters
  

🔟 Turtle’s Nest Beach Resort
📍 Location: Meads Bay

• Closest Beach: Meads Bay (Beachfront — 0 minutes)
   
• Nearby Restaurants: Jacala, Blanchards Beach Shack
   
• Things to Do: Romantic sunset swims, wine and tapas, beachfront walks