This tiny British Overseas Territory in the northern Caribbean—barely 16 miles long and 3 miles wide, is one of the region’s most exclusive destinations—not because it flaunts glitz and bustle, but because it celebrates tranquility, authenticity, and understated elegance. What makes Anguilla so special is not only its postcard-perfect beaches or its high-end resorts, but its refusal to commercialize its considerable charm. Here life moves at the rhythm of the waves, and Caribbean luxury is distilled to its purest form: no crowds, no chaos, no honky tonk, no cruise ships, no high-rise hotels or casinos – just just pristine beauty and effortless grace. The island has deliberately kept mass tourism at bay, preserving its laid-back character. Instead it has cultivated an image of refined seclusion—appealing to those who serenity, genuine hospitality, and the feeling of being somewhere discreetly exclusive.
Aguilla´s greatest natural asset besides its friendly, hospitable inhabitants is of course its beaches. There are more than 30 of them, each with powdery white sand and crystalline turquoise water. But what sets them apart is their serenity: even in peak season you can often find a stretch entirely to yourself. The flat limestone landscape also means the sea displays that distinctive electric-blue clarity found only in a few parts of the Caribbean.
Johnno´s Beach Stop
Beyond the beaches, Anguilla has a proud music heritage, particularly calypso and reggae, which spill out of beach bars in the evenings. Plus its food scene is outstanding, with a blend of world-class fine dining and rustic seaside shacks. Restaurants like Blanchards and Veya serve elegant Caribbean fusion cuisine, while the likes of Johnno´s Beach Stop and Sunshine Shack deliver grilled seafood and rum punch right on the sand (Blanchard´s also has a beach shack). Simple and local is just as rewarding as fancy and upscale (I once asked a local chef why the johnny bread there tastes so much better than it does on any other island. He held up a piece and answered, "It's the love"). Anguilla may be tiny, but some have given it the (admittedly overused) title of “culinary capital of the Caribbean.”
For Whom Is Anguilla Best Suited?
Anguilla is best suited for travellers who crave luxury without ostentation; it´s ideal for discerning travelers who appreciate fine living but in a relaxed, unpretentious setting. Privacy and exclusivity are the hallmarks here—there’s no nightlife to speak of beyond mellow beach bars and intimate live-music venues. Those seeking parties or crowds might find it too quiet, but for anyone wanting genuine rest and reconnection—with themselves, with nature, or with a loved one—Anguilla is perfection.
It also appeals strongly to couples (especially honeymooners), foodies (see below), sailors, and repeat Caribbean visitors looking for something quieter than St. Barths but more refined than Antigua or St. Martin. Families are welcome, as well, especially at resorts such as the Four Seasons and Zemi Beach House, with their kids’ clubs and multi-bedroom villas.
Finally, this is not an island of thrills but rather about subtle, understated pleasures: a morning swim in a calm cove, a sunset cocktail at a barefoot beach bar, or a boat trip to a tiny offshore cay. Travelers who love diving, snorkeling, and sailing will find plenty to do, but the emphasis is on serenity, sophistication, and slow living.
How Pricey Is It?
Not gonna sugarcoat it: Anguilla is undeniably upscale, and travel here is for the most part not cheap. Most accommodation ranges from about US$500 per night at smaller boutique hotels to well over US$2,000 for beachfront villas at the top resorts during high season (though more moderate options do exist; see below). Having a feed can also be pricey; expect to spend US$60–100 per person at most fine-dining venues, although casual beach bars offer more affordable (and equally delicious) local fare.
And then there are extra transport costs: because Anguilla has no direct long-haul flights, most visitors fly into St. Maarten (SXM) and take a 20-minute ferry or a private boat across the channel, which can add another US$100–$200 round trip per person.
That said, many visitors consider it worth every penny. What you pay for is not just luxury, but peace of mind—uncrowded beaches, impeccable service, and the absence of commercial chaos. For those seeking exclusivity and relaxation, the experience is unparalleled.
Top Things to See and Do
While beach time dominates most itineraries, Anguilla also offers a range of subtle adventures. The island’s coral reefs make for excellent snorkelling and diving, particularly around Prickly Pear Cays and Dog Island, where the marine life is abundant. Sailing and island-hopping are also top experiences: small catamarans and speedboats whisk visitors to nearby cays for a day of swimming and beach barbecues.
There are also the island´s half dozen villages. The capital, The Valley (pop. 1,500) sits near the island’s center has the airport, government buildings, modest shops, banks, and landmarks like Wallblake House (an 18th-century plantation house) and St. Mary’s Church. Just west along the south coast is Sandy Ground (above, with 200–300 residents), historically a salt-exporting port and now the island’s liveliest harbor village, known for its beach bars, boat moorings, and casual nightlife. On the western tip, West End Village (pop. 1,000) is home to many of Anguilla’s luxury resorts along Meads Bay and Maundays Bay, as well as some of the island’s most beautiful beaches and upscale dining. Along the north coast, Island Harbour (pop. 700) retains a traditional fishing-village feel, with colorful boats, offshore islets, and access to boat trips and snorkeling. Nearby East End, with around 1,000 residents, is quieter and more residential, near scenic windward shores and limestone bluffs. Finally, Blowing Point (pop. just under 1,000) on the south coast is the main ferry gateway to St. Martin and features quiet beaches, little guesthouses, and the Dolphin Discovery program.
For culture, the Heritage Collection Museum in East End tells Anguilla’s story through artefacts, photos, and oral history. The island’s galleries, such as the Devonish Art Gallery, showcase local sculpture and paintings. Visitors can also explore Old Salt Factory & Pumphouse, a remnant of the island’s salt-harvesting past, and enjoy live music nights at Dune Preserve, owned by reggae star Bankie Banx.
And links-lovers will love the Aurora International Golf Club, an 18-hole Greg Norman–designed course with ocean views (see more about the resort below). There are also opportunities for kayaking in coastal mangroves, horseback riding on the beach, and spa retreats featuring Caribbean botanicals and sea salt therapies.
Several of the Best Beaches
Every beach on Anguilla could star in a postcard, but several especially stand out:
Shoal Bay East – Often ranked among the world’s best beaches, this two-mile crescent of sugar-white sand and vivid turquoise water (above and top) is ideal for swimming and snorkeling.
Rendezvous Bay – A long, calm beach with gentle waves and views of St. Martin; perfect for long walks and lazy afternoons.
Meads Bay – Lined with some of the island’s finest resorts and restaurants, it’s the sophisticated heart of Anguilla’s west coast.
Maundays Bay – Home to the iconic Cap Juluca, this bay is pure elegance: quiet, sheltered, and impossibly beautiful.
Sandy Island – A tiny cay reachable by boat, with one beach bar, endless sea views, and superb snorkeling.
Belmond Ltd.
Where to Stay
There are hundreds of options, and despite the focus on luxury, there are in fact budget options, as well, among them guesthouses like Edwards Guesthouse in Sandy Ground (low season from US$115/night, high season US$140*) and apartment complexes such as Sydans Apartments and Villas (low season typically from US$85, high US$150-$250) and LittleLux Living (low season from US$100 night, high US$133-$234).
(High season, by the way, runs from mid-December through April and low season is roughly May through mid-December.)
On the luxury end more typical of Anguilla, low-season rates typically run US$$595–$700 (though some of the more premium properties can reach US&850-$2,000), and in high season US$2,500 to $4,000-plus. And these are the best known of these luxury resorts:
Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club
Larger than most other island resorts, with approximately 178 suites, villas, and estate homes, it’s set along Rendezvous Bay, one of Anguilla’s longest and most scenic beaches, with expansive views across the water toward St. Martin and reliably calm swimming conditions. And it appeals especially to travelers who want beach luxury combined with recreation, golf, and broader programming rather than a purely quiet retreat.
Here you’ll find multiple pools and a wide range of dining venues—roughly half a dozen restaurants and bars spanning casual beach fare to elevated resort dining. A full spa anchors the wellness offerings, complemented by yoga classes, fitness programming, and extensive water sports. Aurora also boasts family-friendly amenities such as a water park and sports facilities. Speaking of which, its most defining feature of all is a 18-hole Greg Norman signature golf course, a rarity in Anguilla.
With 70 rooms and suites spread across a series of white villas, the island’s most iconic classic – and quintessential understated, romantic Anguilla experience (above) – sits directly on Maundays Bay, widely considered one of Anguilla’s most beautiful beaches: a perfect crescent of soft white sand and calm, luminous turquoise water. The Greco-Moorish architecture evokes a Mediterranean fantasy—arched colonnades, domed roofs, and beachfront terraces, and the resort centers around a large beachfront infinity pool overlooking the bay. Dining options include a blend of refined Italian cuisine with Caribbean flavors, along with more casual beachfront options, and the Guerlain Spa is a major draw, offering a full suite of treatments, steam and sauna facilities, and private plunge areas.
Spread across dramatic bluffs and beachfront along Meads Bay and Barnes Bay, the island’s largest and most comprehensive luxury property, with 181 rooms, suites, villas, and private residences. Its size gives it a different energy from smaller boutique resorts: expansive, polished, versatile, and with a livelier social atmosphere. The resort features multiple swimming pools, including family-friendly areas and quieter adult-oriented spaces, all with sweeping ocean views. Dining varies from refined Caribbean-influenced cuisine to relaxed beachfront grills and lounges. The full-service spa, tennis courts, water sports center, and family programming make it particularly appealing to young and old alike.
Perched on a bluff between Meads Bay and Turtle Cove, arguably the island´s most visually dramatic resort is also blessed with some of its most striking views – this member of Hilton’s SLH luxury portfolio has just 63 rooms, so feels intimate yet expansive. You’ll find several ocean-facing pools, including an infinity-style main pool, as well as paths leading down to the beach (it´s not right on the sand). Dining spots emphasize refined Caribbean cuisine and sunset views, with open-air terraces that capture cooling breezes and panoramic horizons. A spa, yoga programming, and curated island experiences round out the offerings. For travelers who prioritize sunset views, cliffside drama, and a more boutique luxury atmosphere, it provides a distinctive and stylish alternative to resorts directly on the beach.
Located directly on Shoal Bay East—often ranked among the Caribbean’s best beaches—this resort combines contemporary design with a relaxed, boutique sensibility. It also has 70 rooms and suites, making it intimate in scale while still offering full luxury amenities. The main pool area overlooking the sea, along with an elevated adult lounge space, and there are two primary restaurants and several bars, featuring Caribbean-influenced cuisine, fresh seafood, and creative cocktails. The spa, housed in a distinctive Thai-style structure, is a focal point, offering wellness treatments and serene relaxation spaces. Zemi feels contemporary and beach-oriented, less formal than Cap Juluca and less expansive than Four Seasons. It is particularly appealing to couples or travelers who want direct access to one of Anguilla’s best beaches with a chic but relaxed luxury atmosphere.
More info: VisitAnguilla.com.
*these and all rates cited are approximate
Comments