Anguilla

Key facts

• Region: The Caribbean
• Sovereignty: Non-sovereign territory administered by United Kingdom
• Capital: The Valley
• Currency: East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
• Languages: English
• Main airport: AXA — Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport, near The Valley
• Best time to visit: December to April, the dry season; the hurricane season runs June to November

Overview

Anguilla is a low, flat coral island in the eastern Caribbean, sitting just north of St. Martin. It is best known for long stretches of white-sand beach and a deliberately low-key, low-rise tourism scene centred on villas and small hotels. It has far less commercial development than many neighbouring islands, which is the main reason people choose it.

Airports

Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport (AXA) is the only airport, located near The Valley, and it handles regional turboprops and small jets. There is no direct long-haul service; most travellers connect through St. Maarten (SXM), San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU) or Antigua (ANU). A public ferry links Blowing Point on Anguilla with Marigot, St. Martin, in roughly 25 minutes, and a separate passenger ferry runs from the Dutch side near Princess Juliana Airport.

Main cities

Anguilla has no cities; its settlements are small. The Valley is the capital and commercial centre, with banks, government offices and shops. Blowing Point in the south is the ferry terminal, Sandy Ground is known for its restaurants along the bay, and West End, Island Harbour and East End are the other main villages.

Places to go

Shoal Bay East is the best-known beach, with beach bars and good snorkelling off the reef. Rendezvous Bay and Meads Bay offer long, calm swimming beaches, while Barnes Bay and Maundays Bay are quieter and more upscale. Little Bay is a small bay reached by boat or by climbing down a rope, and offshore lie Sandy Island and the Prickly Pear Cays, both popular day trips.

Getting there

Cheapest cached round-trip fare into Anguilla, refreshed every 6 hours:

Where to stay

Practical information

Frequently asked