What Is Anguilla? A First-Time Visitor’s Guide
A small British Overseas Territory north of St Martin, built around beaches, villas and quiet evenings
Anguilla
A flat, quiet British Overseas Territory north of St Martin, known for long white-sand beaches, beach restaurants and a low-key island pace.
Anguilla is a low, dry island at the northern end of the Leeward Islands, a few miles across the channel from St Martin. It is a British Overseas Territory with its own government, English-speaking, and it has built its reputation on beaches rather than on towns: there is no cruise port, no large capital and no nightlife district, and most visitors spend their days between the beach, a beach restaurant and a villa or small resort. Reaching it usually means flying to St Maarten and crossing by boat.
These guides cover the practical decisions: which area to base yourself in, how the ferry and airport-boat options work, when to travel around the hurricane season and the low-season closures, which beach suits which day, and how boat trips to the offshore cays are organised.
Start here
The island’s status, atmosphere and layout, the accommodation choices and what an island stay involves.
Quick facts
- Status
- British Overseas Territory with internal self-government
- Size
- About 26 km long and 5 km wide; highest point 73 m
- Capital
- The Valley
- Gateway
- St Maarten (SXM), then ferry or shared boat to Blowing Point
- Airport
- Clayton J. Lloyd International (AXA), regional and limited direct services
- Driving
- On the left; temporary local licence required
- Beaches
- Long white-sand bays, including Shoal Bay East, Meads Bay and Rendezvous Bay
- Offshore cays
- Sandy Island, Prickly Pear Cays and Scilly Cay reached by boat
Plan your trip
What Is Anguilla? A First-Time Visitor’s Guide
A small British Overseas Territory north of St Martin, built around beaches, villas and quiet evenings
Where to Eat in Anguilla: A Practical Dining Guide
Dining areas, beach restaurants and bars, local food, reservations and the seasonal closures that catch visitors out
Where to Stay in Anguilla: Choosing Your Area
Meads Bay, Shoal Bay East, Rendezvous Bay, the West End, Sandy Ground, the east and The Valley compared as bases
Anguilla Beaches: Choosing the Right Beach Day
Ten beaches compared by access, facilities, atmosphere and conditions so you can pick the right one for the day
Anguilla with Kids: Beaches and Family Planning
Which accommodation works, how to get around, calm-water beaches versus exposed ones and the practical details
Best Time to Visit Anguilla: A Seasonal Guide
Weather patterns, the peak weeks, hurricane season and the months when many businesses close
Boat Trips in Anguilla: Cays, Access and Planning
Sandy Island, Prickly Pear, Scilly Cay, Little Bay and Dog Island: departure points, operators and park rules
Getting to Anguilla: Flights, Ferries and Transfers
St Maarten as the gateway, the Marigot public ferry, airport boats to Blowing Point and direct flights to AXA
Is Anguilla Safe? Practical Travel Considerations
What the UK and US governments advise, road and sea conditions, emergency numbers, the hospital and hurricane planning
Meads Bay vs Shoal Bay East: Where Should You Stay?
The two best-known bases compared on dining, atmosphere, accommodation, transport and distance from the ferry
All Anguilla guides
- Anguilla Beaches: Choosing the Right Beach Day
- Anguilla with Kids: Beaches and Family Planning
- Best Time to Visit Anguilla: A Seasonal Guide
- Boat Trips in Anguilla: Cays, Access and Planning
- Getting to Anguilla: Flights, Ferries and Transfers
- Is Anguilla Safe? Practical Travel Considerations
- Meads Bay vs Shoal Bay East: Where Should You Stay?
- What Is Anguilla? A First-Time Visitor’s Guide
- Where to Eat in Anguilla: A Practical Dining Guide
- Where to Stay in Anguilla: Choosing Your Area