Anguilla is a small, flat island, 26 kilometres long, never more than 5 kilometres wide, that has become the Caribbean's most sought-after luxury destination through the quality of its 33 beaches and the philosophy of its hotel culture, which prioritises understated excellence over showy resort development. The island has no casino, no chain hotels, no duty-free development of the type that has transformed some Caribbean destinations; instead, it has the finest beach quality in the Caribbean, a hotel inventory of exceptional class, and a quietness that rewards those who come specifically to rest.
The beaches of Shoal Bay East and Meads Bay are frequently cited among the world's top ten beaches, the former for its extraordinary powder-white sand and turquoise water, the latter for its combination of beach clubs and the finest hotel strip on the island. In the shade of a beach umbrella on Shoal Bay, with the Caribbean barely a whisper of surf before you, the case for Anguilla as the finest simple beach destination in the world is compelling.
The Beaches
Anguilla's 33 beaches range from the world-famous (Shoal Bay East, Meads Bay, Rendezvous Bay) to the entirely deserted (Savannah Bay, Junk's Hole, Little Bay, the last accessible only by boat or a short cliff scramble). The common factor is the extraordinary quality of the sand, ultra-white, powdery and deep, and the water, which ranges from the palest turquoise over shallow sand to deep azure further out, with the clarity only coral-filtered Caribbean water can achieve.
Sandbar, a beach restaurant and bar accessible only by taxi-boat from Sandy Ground or Meads Bay, sits on a sandbar between Anguilla and the uninhabited offshore islet of Sandy Island, the setting is almost impossibly beautiful at midday, the sand bleached brilliant white, the bar floating between two shades of blue sea.
Hotels and Villas
Anguilla's hotel culture is defined by privacy, service and restraint. The Anguilla Great House, Belmond Cap Juluca (its white Moorish domes as distinctive as any architecture in the Caribbean, set on the curve of Maundays Bay), Four Seasons Anguilla (on Meads Bay, opened in 2016) and Zemi Beach House are the principal luxury properties. All share a philosophy of understatement that is genuinely Anguillan in character, superb facilities delivered without ostentation.
The private villa inventory is considerable and expanding, Anguilla has attracted a community of second-home owners who build to exceptional standards and release their properties to the rental market for part of the year. Rates are high but the quality matches, a private villa on Shoal Bay with a cook, housekeeper and driver represents a genuinely extraordinary Caribbean experience.
Getting to Anguilla
Anguilla has no international airport, the Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport handles only small regional aircraft. The standard approach for visitors from the UK is to fly to St Maarten (SXM) on British Airways (via Antigua) or direct on Air France or KLM, then take the 20-minute public ferry to Anguilla from Marigot on the French side, or a private water taxi from Sint Maarten's Oyster Pond marina. We arrange the complete transfer sequence as part of all Anguilla itineraries.
St Maarten offers an interesting overnight option in its own right, the French side (Saint-Martin) has several excellent restaurants and the Orient Beach is a good beach.
Dining and the Local Culture
For a small island, Anguilla has a food culture of surprising sophistication, the combination of Caribbean cooking traditions, a high-end tourist clientele who demand quality and an influx of international chefs has created a restaurant scene that routinely surprises visitors. Veya (creative Caribbean cuisine in a garden setting), Straw Hat (on Forest Bay), Blanchard's and the Dune Preserve (on Shoal Bay, the personal project of local musician Bankie Banx) represent the range from fine dining to genuinely local atmosphere.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to visit Anguilla?
December to April is the dry season and the peak period for hotel rates and availability. The Caribbean's finest winter weather makes this the most popular time. The summer months (May to October) are quieter, sometimes discounted, and the water temperature is at its highest, hurricane risk is real from August to October but Anguilla is less frequently affected than the more northern Caribbean islands.
Is Anguilla good for a honeymoon?
Anguilla is among the finest honeymoon destinations in the world, the combination of exquisite beach quality, privacy-focused hotels, a quiet and unhurried atmosphere and the luxury service culture of the island's best properties creates the ideal romantic holiday formula.
Is Anguilla expensive?
Anguilla is among the more expensive Caribbean destinations, reflecting the quality of its hotel inventory and the high cost of importing goods to a small island. The experience is exceptional for the cost, and we work across the full range of Anguilla's accommodation to find the best combination of quality and value for our clients' budgets.
How do you get to Anguilla from the UK?
The standard routing is London to St Maarten via Antigua with British Airways, then a 20-minute ferry crossing to Anguilla. Total journey time is approximately 12 hours. We arrange all connections and transfers as part of our Anguilla packages.
