This Secluded Caribbean Island Has White-sand Beaches, a Standout Culinary Scene, and World-class Snorkeling

The Dominican Republic brims with all-inclusive resorts. Much of St Barts is about megayachts and swanky restaurants. Families and springbreakers flock to the Bahamas in droves. Nevis exudes an off-the-beaten-path allure (and celebs love it). For a sun-splashed getaway with a little bit of everything that makes a Caribbean vacation so enticing — adventure, relaxation, sea-view accommodations, breathtaking shores, and flavorful cuisine — plus a whole lot of luxury, you really can't beat Anguilla in the Lesser Antilles. 

With beautiful beaches and gorgeous sunsets, it's one of the most picturesque islands in the region. “What makes it so special is, without a doubt, the people. Visitors will encounter warm, humble, and genuine hospitality throughout the island,” Colleen Harrigan-Walsh, an Anguillian native and the sales manager at the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla, told Travel + Leisure. Anguilla also has some truly next-level resorts with service, amenities, and a romantic ambiance that rivals anywhere.

Not surprisingly, it’s a top destination for honeymoons and babymoons. More than just a setting to let sparks fly, this Caribbean gem is also a great place to bring kids thanks to properties with kids clubs, sparkling swimming pools, and direct ocean access. Foodies rave about the standout culinary scene with seafood — especially local crayfish — as the star. 

Ready to dip your toes in the warm ocean waters, frolic on the white sand, and sip fresh-cracked coconuts? Before jetting off to paradise, scroll on for expert guidance on everything you need to know to plan an unforgettable trip to Anguilla.

Best Hotels and Resorts

Malliouhana

It’s no secret that Malliouhana knows a thing or two about luxury. This locally operated beachfront icon makes glamour look effortless with decor so chic and colorful it’s an instant mood boost. Couples with gracious hospitality and an utterly intoxicating atmosphere, it's also a place that’s tailor-made for romance — whether you’re blissing out on a striped lounge by the tumbling oceanfront infinity pool, lazing in a palm-shaded hammock, or doing date night at Celeste.

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla

The rebranded Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla (formerly the Viceroy Anguilla) shows off a more modern aesthetic and kid-friendly setup than many of the luxury properties on the island. That certainly doesn’t mean it’s anything less than an ideal spot to unwind. Thoughtful service, three pools, sprawling suites and villas, and activities ranging from kayaking to volleyball ensure a family vacation full of ease and excitement where you won’t have to lift a finger.

Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel, Anguilla

Generations of discovering and loyal travelers remember Cap Juluca as the Anguillan resort that started it all. Luxury continues to hit new levels at this beloved Belmond property. Besides an immaculate setting on Maundays Bay and white-glove service, guests beam at the white-washed architecture, superb restaurants, and spa treatments. Suites aren’t just for snoozing, but rather full-blown sanctuaries with king-sized beds, double tubs, and private pools just steps away from the waves.

Quintessence Hotel

Couples seeking relaxation and romance will be in total ecstasy at the Quintessence Hotel, an adults-only Relais & Chateaux retreat overlooking the shores of idyllic Long Bay. Framed by lush tropical gardens, this intimate Relais & Châteaux property combines the best parts of a grand mansion and a luxury beachfront resort. There are nine sophisticated villas and suites — all of which come with 24/7 butler service — plus an infinity pool, spa, tennis courts, a celebrated French restaurant with an impressive wine cellar, and a well-curated art gallery. 

Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club

A great option for families, newcomer Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club spans over 300 acres of tropical gardens and a beachfront that looks photoshopped. The 178-suite property also boasts an array of impressive facilities sure to delight travelers of all ages — including sparkling pools, multiple restaurants, a 27,000-square-foot spa, a Greg Norman-designed golf course, and a forthcoming waterpark — in addition to pickleball clinics, socceramma games, and lobster BBQs.

Best Beaches

Rendezvous Bay

You’d be hard-pressed to find a prettier beach on the island of Anguilla than Rendezvous Bay or one with a better view of St. Martin. A stunning destination for seaside strolls, swimming, and snapping photos, the palm-fringed crescent of snow-white sand lapped by aqua tides looks like the product of a really good Instagram filter — but we assure you, it’s all-natural. 

Mead’s Bay

Repeatedly ranked among the top beaches in the world and one of the most beloved spots to soak up some sun in Anguilla, Meads Bay holds its own against any other sandy stretch of shoreline in the Caribbean. “Beyond being a pristine place to lay out, it’s dotted with superb restaurants and resorts,” notes Harrigan-Walsh. 

Little Bay

A secluded cove in northwest Anguilla that’s only reachable by boat, Little Bay is the definition of a hidden and halcyon gem. The remote location definitely helps combat the crowds, guaranteeing you’ll only have to share the aquamarine ocean and white sand with a handful of other sun worshippers and snorkeling enthusiasts. 

Shoal Bay East

Calm waters, coral gardens, and abundant marine life add up to Shoal Bay East topping the list of the best spots in all of Anguilla for snorkeling (and that’s really saying something). And because it’s always lovely to relax after searching for vibrant tropical fish, umbrellas and lounge chairs are available for rent. 

Sandy Island

For even more peace, quiet, and tropical scenery, it’s worth booking a boat excursion to Sandy Island, a sliver of white sand surrounded by turquoise water. Daytrippers can catch some rays, go snorkeling along the pristine reef, and sip rum punch at the one brightly colored restaurant.

Best Things to Do

Big Spring Cave

Archaeology might not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think of Anguilla, but maybe it should be (or, at least, in the top five). Big Spring Cave is a prehistoric Amerindian ceremonial site that dates back to 600 A.D. and showcases many anthropomorphic petroglyphs alongside freshwater springs.

Fountain Cavern

Another site with a lot of Pre-Columbian historical significance, Fountain Cavern preserves a fascinating array of ancient artifacts from the indigenous Amerindians, who lived on Anguilla some 1,500 years ago, including petroglyphs etched into the bedrock and carved stalagmites.

Scrub Island

Scrub Island is small, uninhabited, and steeped in myth. Despite being located not far from the eastern tip of Anguilla, it has a windswept, uncharted appeal with wild goats roaming free and near-empty beaches. Legends swirl around the abandoned hotel, wreckage of a smuggling plane, and notorious Deadman's Bay, making for a mystical and memorable day trip. 

Best Anguilla Restaurants

Sunshine Shack

Perched on Rendezvous Bay, the Sunshine Shack — locally referred to as “Garvey’s” according to Harrigan-Walsh — is everyone’s favorite, colorful good-time-haunt for fresh food and great vibes. Locals and tourists pack the open-air tables to dig into plates of grilled chicken, ribs, snapper, and lobster and toss back a cold beer or rum punch while watching the flags flap in the breeze and gazing at the waves lapping the sand.

Blanchards

Set on photogenic Meads Bay, Blanchards is renowned as one of the best restaurants on the island. The menu highlights local ingredients with plenty of delicious seafood as well as vegetarian and vegan options, the service is always stellar, and the choice to dine in the open-air dining room, at the bar, or outside on the leafy patio keeps things delightfully laid-back. 

Jacala

A fantastic spot for lunch or dinner, Jacala treats diners to artfully plated seafood dishes (the lobster risotto, conch ceviche salad, and red snapper get rave reviews) as well as a beautiful beachfront position and warm hospitality. Oh, and in case you need another reason to check it out, Martha Steward is a fan. 

Sharky's Restaurant

Sharky's Restaurant has the rare distinction of being adored by residents and out-of-towners alike. It’s also one of the few places in Anguilla that’s not on the beach — but don’t let that be a deterrent. The outdoor patio and live Caribbean music give it a lively feel. And once you try the stir-fried lobster, it’s all you’ll dream about until the next visit.

The Cap Shack

Some of the best (and no that doesn’t necessarily translate to fanciest) bars and restaurants are at high-end hotels, so it should come as no surprise that The Cap Shack calls Cap Juluca home. It’s a breezy beachside eatery but done the Belmond way. That means attentive service, fabulous views of Maundays Bay, and taste bud-tantalizing food — the tuna poke bowl and lobster roll are not to be missed. 

Best Time to Visit

Anguilla has great beach weather year-round, but it's especially faultless in the winter and early spring. Prices and demand are highest during this time (especially on holiday weekends) with many people attempting to trade ice and snow for blue skies, sunshine, and consistent temps in the low 80s. Travelers can score good deals from May to August because it marks the start of hurricane season, though the chance of a big storm remains low.

If you're really trying to pinch pennies (though to be clear, Anguilla is never what we'd call cheap), it may be tempting to take advantage of the reduced rates and lack of crowds in September, October, and early November. Just keep in mind that many businesses will be closed and inclement weather may impact your travel plans.

How to Get There

Most travelers fly into Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) on Sint Maarten, which welcomes nonstop flights from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Miami International Airport (MIA), and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). They then hop on the ferry or a private vessel over to Anguilla. There’s also a 10-minute flight courtesy of Anguilla Air Services that links to the two islands.

Alternatively, if you’d rather skip the boat and small aircraft, and don’t mind a stopover in the Magic City, Envoy Air, the largest regional carrier for American Airlines, operates a direct route between Miami International Airport (MIA) and Anguilla-Clayton J. Lloyd Airport (AXA). Tradewind provides scheduled service between Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport (SJU) and Anguilla-Clayton J. Lloyd Airport (AXA) seasonally, from December to early April.

The most streamlined option comes by way of Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club, which recently launched charter flights exclusively for guests. These routes depart from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and zip straight to Anguilla. On the way back, it’s a quick stop in San Juan to clear customs before returning stateside. 

How to Get Around

Because Anguilla doesn’t have public transport, visitors typically get around by taxi or rental car. You’ll also see sunglass-wearing vacationers driving Mokes, the top-down, fun-in-the-sun British rides that are all the rage in the Caribbean.