Anguilla Holidays: Beaches, Best Time to Visit & How to Get There from the UK

T By Thomas · Updated 20 October 2026 · 3 min read

Airports

Clayton J. Lloyd International, The Valley (AXA); most visitors arrive via Princess Juliana, St Maarten (SXM)

Flight time

about 11-13h from London to St Maarten via Paris or Amsterdam, then a 25-minute ferry

Best time to go

December-April; May-June for value

Currency

Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$); US dollars widely accepted

Anguilla is a long, flat coral island just north of St Martin, and its reason for being on any shortlist is simple: beaches. Around 33 of them ring the island, mostly soft white sand lapped by clear, calm water, and none are overlooked by high-rise hotels. There is no cruise port, little nightlife and a strong sense of community, with some excellent restaurants and casual beach bars serving grilled lobster and crayfish.

Anguilla is a British Overseas Territory, so cars drive on the left and English is spoken, but plugs are the US two-pin type (110V) and US dollars are used as freely as the local Eastern Caribbean dollar. The island is four hours behind the UK in winter and five in summer. Most visitors arrive via Sint Maarten, whose airport is a short boat ride away.

Entry requirements

British passport holders do not need a visa for a tourist visit and are usually admitted for up to three months, though you may be asked for a return ticket and proof of accommodation. If you travel via the US you need an ESTA, and the route through Sint Maarten has its own entry formalities. Rules change, so check GOV.UK foreign travel advice before booking.

Where to go in Anguilla

Shoal Bay East

Often named one of the finest beaches in the Caribbean, Shoal Bay East has dazzling white sand, good snorkelling over the offshore reef and a handful of relaxed bars and restaurants.

Meads Bay

A long crescent on the west end lined with several of the island's best hotels and restaurants. The water is usually calm and the sunsets are excellent.

Rendezvous Bay and Maundays Bay

On the south coast, Rendezvous Bay looks out to St Martin and has a famous laid-back music bar. Maundays Bay, further west, has calm turquoise water and luxury resorts.

Sandy Ground and the offshore cays

Sandy Ground is Anguilla's liveliest spot, with beach bars and live music. From here, boats run to tiny Sandy Island and to Prickly Pear Cays for snorkelling and lunch on the sand.

The Valley and the east

The small capital has the Heritage Collection Museum and Wallblake House, a restored 18th-century plantation house. Island Harbour in the east is a fishing village with colourful boats and seafood restaurants.

Best time to visit Anguilla

Getting to Anguilla from the UK

There are no direct flights from the UK. The usual route is to fly to Princess Juliana Airport on Sint Maarten, with Air France via Paris or KLM via Amsterdam, or via a US hub, then take a public ferry from Marigot or a private boat transfer from near the airport. The crossing takes about 25 minutes. Some regional airlines also fly into Anguilla's small airport from Antigua, San Juan and St Maarten.

Getting around

There is no public bus, so most visitors hire a car, which is the cheapest way to explore the island's beaches; you drive on the left, and a temporary local licence is arranged by the rental company. Taxis are available but charge set fares that add up quickly. Distances are short: the island is only about 16 miles long.

Money and costs

Anguilla is expensive, especially accommodation and fine dining. Budget around £250–400 per person per day for a mid-range trip including accommodation. Cheaper options include villas with kitchens and casual roadside barbecue and lolo stands. US dollars and cards are widely accepted, and many restaurants add a service charge.

We research every guide carefully, but prices, opening times and timetables change. Check them shortly before you travel. Links to our booking partners are affiliate links.