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Territory of United Kingdom

Caribbean

AnguillaTravel guide

Explore Anguilla visa rules

Anguilla is a British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean Sea, a few miles north of Saint Martin. Visitors come for white sand beaches, turquoise water, swimming and quiet days in the sun.

Why go

  1. White sand beaches and sheltered bays.

  2. Swimming, snorkeling and boat trips.

  3. Horseback riding on the beach.

  4. Beach bars, live music and island festivals.

Getting there

By air

  • Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport has the airport code AXA. Cape Air provides a daily direct flight between Anguilla and St. Thomas.
  • You can also fly to Sint Maarten from many eastern United States cities and European cities, then travel on to Anguilla.
  • Anguilla Air Services offers three or four flights each way from Sint Maarten, depending on the season. The flight takes about 10 minutes.

By sea

  • Boats are the most common way to travel between Saint Martin and Anguilla. Public ferries connect Marigot in French Saint Martin with Blowing Point in about 20 minutes.
  • The public ferry service starts at 7 AM and runs every 45 minutes. The last departures are at 6 PM from Anguilla and 7 PM from Saint Martin.

Getting around

  • Rental car

    A rental car is the best option for most visitors who want to explore beaches and restaurants. Drive on the left side of the road. Speeds are low, and the island is small. Main roads are paved and mostly in good condition. Smaller roads may be sand or dirt and can be in very poor condition. Road names are not always shown, and some roads change names along the way. Destination signs appear at main junctions and roundabouts. Pick up a Skyviews map, which is usually available at Immigration and elsewhere. There are no rental agencies at the airport, but agencies will deliver cars to your hotel. Island Car Rental and Hertz-Triple K are nearby.

What to see and do

  • The Valley

    Anguilla's capital is home to the post office and English Rose Restaurant.

  • Sandy Ground

    Several beach bars and places to listen to music are here.

  • Sandy Island

    This tiny offshore island offers a place to relax and try rum punch.

  • Scilly Cay

    This tiny island off Island Harbour has food, rum punch and a place to lounge on Sunday afternoons.

  • Swim and snorkel

    Enjoy the sea around Anguilla's beaches and bays.

  • Ride horses on the beach

    Seaside Stables at Cove Bay offers beach rides; El Rancho Del Blues and Cliffside Stables also offer horseback riding.

Food and drink

  • Pigeon peas and rice

    Often considered Anguilla's signature dish.

  • Elodias

    A place at Shoal Bay with a live band on Sunday evenings.

  • English Rose Restaurant

    A venue in The Valley with karaoke on Friday nights.

  • Dune Preserve

    A West End venue listed among places to lounge, listen to music and dance.

  • Elvis Beach Bar

    A beach bar in Sandy Ground.

  • Johnno's Beach Bar and Grill

    A bar and grill in Sandy Ground.

Money

Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD), written as EC$ or $

  • The Eastern Caribbean dollar is fixed at EC$2.70 for US$1.
  • Most businesses serving tourists show prices in United States dollars. All locations accept United States dollars for payment.
  • You may receive small change in a mix of United States and Eastern Caribbean dollars.
  • Hotels and restaurants accept credit cards. Mastercard and Visa are preferred; American Express is not accepted everywhere.

Typical costs

  • A same-day public ferry return costs EC$53, including departure taxes.
  • A taxi from Princess Juliana Airport to Marigot costs about EC$24–26.
  • A taxi from Simpson Bay to Marigot costs about EC$15.
  • High-season accommodation rates are quoted in United States dollars. Unless stated otherwise, taxes of 20% plus $1 are extra.

Language

  • English is the official language and is spoken everywhere.

Staying safe

  • Anguilla has a low crime rate, but take normal precautions.
  • Lock your doors at night.
  • Do not leave personal belongings in an unlocked rental car.
  • Do not give rides to pedestrians.

Staying healthy

  • Princess Alexandra Hospital is Anguilla's only hospital.
  • Private doctors are available, including at Hughes Medical Center in West End.
  • Medical clinics are found in villages including The Valley, West End, East End and Blowing Point.
  • Gyms, spas, wellness centres and healthy food stores are available on the island.

Where to stay

  • Accommodation includes hotels, villas, guest houses and apartments.
  • High season is typically January to April.
  • High-season rates are quoted in United States dollars and exclude taxes of 20% plus $1 unless stated otherwise.

Outdoor adventures in Anguilla

Anguilla offers white sand beaches, coral reefs, swimming and snorkelling. Outdoor trips include beach horse rides, glass-bottom boat rides and visits to small islands. Some beaches also have nesting sea turtles from April through November.

  • Shoal Bay East

    Snorkellingnear Shoal Bay Village

    Enter at Shoal Bay Village or Gwen's Reggae Bar. Look for signs on the road between Shoal Bay Village and Island Harbor. Snorkel over coral rock near the eastern end.

    • The water is usually calm, but conditions can vary.

  • Meads Bay

    Beache

    Use the designated public parking at Frangiapani Resort. Follow the public path to the left of the building.

    • The beach is less protected from waves than Shoal Bay.

  • Rendezvous Bay

    Beache

    From the main road, follow the sign for Anguilla Great House at Willow Lane. Continue past its entrance and park in the unpaved lot beside the salt pond.

  • Little Bay

    Snorkellingnear The Valley

    Go to Crocus Bay in The Valley and ask for Calvin at the tamarind tree. He offers motorboat trips to Little Bay with an agreed pickup time.

    • An alternative path leads down the cliff surrounding the beach.
    • Stay near the shore for beginner fish watching; the source describes turtle sightings farther out for better swimmers.

  • Savannah Bay

    BeacheEastern Anguilla

    On the paved road across the eastern end of the island, look for the Palm Grove sign. Follow the sand road and park beside Palm Grove.

    • The approach road is rough and rocky in places.
    • The described driving access is during daylight.

  • Shoal Bay West

    Beache

    Stay on the main road until the paving ends. Park beside the salt pond and use the public path between two villas.

  • Crocus Bay

    Beachenear The Valley

    Take the steep road down from The Valley.

    • The access road is steep.

  • Barnes Bay

    Beache

    Access details are not provided.

  • Road Bay

    Beache

    Access details are not provided.

  • Maundays Bay turtle watching

    Wildlife

    April through November

    Visit the beach during the turtle nesting season. Specific access and tour details are not provided.

  • Captains Bay turtle watching

    Wildlife

    April through November

    Visit the beach during the turtle nesting season. Specific access and tour details are not provided.

  • Limestone Bay turtle watching

    Wildlife

    April through November

    Visit the beach during the turtle nesting season. Specific access and tour details are not provided.

  • Anguilla coastal coral reefs

    Scuba divingOff Anguilla's coast

    Scuba diving is available on reefs just off the coast. Specific dive operators and departure points are not provided.

  • Anguilla glass-bottom boat rides

    More to doOff Anguilla's coast

    Join a glass-bottom boat ride to see the reefs. Specific operators and departure points are not provided.

  • Scrub Island

    Wildlife

    Travel arrangements and departure points are not provided.

  • Sandy Island

    More to donear Sandy Ground

    The island is not far from Sandy Ground. Transport details are not provided.

  • Scilly Cay

    More to doIsland Harbornear Island Harbor

    Visit from the Island Harbor area. Specific transport arrangements are not provided.

  • Seaside Stables beach horse riding

    More to doCove Bay

    Arrange a beach horse ride with Seaside Stables at Cove Bay.

  • El Rancho Del Blues horse riding

    More to do

    Arrange horse riding through El Rancho Del Blues. Location and booking details are not provided.

  • Cliffside Stables horse riding

    More to do

    Arrange horse riding through Cliffside Stables. Location and booking details are not provided.

  • Dolphin Discovery dolphin swim

    More to doBlowing Pointnear Blowing Point

    Visit Dolphin Discovery at Blowing Point for a dolphin swim. Booking details are not provided.

  • Golf beside Aurora Resort

    More to do

    The golf course is beside Aurora Resort. Booking and access details are not provided.

Airports, metros and trains in Anguilla

Airports with scheduled flights

  • AXAClayton J. Lloyd International AirportThe Valley

People and safety in Anguilla

Religion

Most people are Christian. Mostly one faith.

  • Christian91%
  • No religion4%
  • Folk religions3%
  • Other2%

LGBT+ travellers

Legal

  • Same-sex marriage is not recognised.
  • Some laws protect against discrimination.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 36 of 101 countries can visit Anguilla easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required36
  • eVisa19
  • Visa required46

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Oceania13 of 14 countries
  • Americas16 of 19 countries
  • Europe2 of 4 countries
  • Asia1 of 10 countries
  • Africa4 of 54 countries

Questions

Is Anguilla part of United Kingdom?

Anguilla is a territory linked to United Kingdom, with its own entry rules. Check them separately even if you can visit United Kingdom.

Does a United Kingdom visa let me visit Anguilla?

Not automatically. Many territories set their own entry rules, so a visa or visa-free entry for United Kingdom may not cover Anguilla. Check the Anguilla visa page for your passport.

Where is Anguilla?

Anguilla is in the Caribbean Sea, a few miles north of Saint Martin. It is a British Overseas Territory.

How do I get there from Saint Martin?

Public ferries run from Marigot to Blowing Point in about 20 minutes. Direct fast boats from near Princess Juliana Airport take about 30 minutes.

Should I rent a car?

A rental car is the best option for most visitors exploring beaches and restaurants. Drive on the left, and expect some smaller roads to be sand or dirt.

Can I pay with United States dollars?

Yes, all locations accept them, and most tourist businesses show prices in them. You may receive change in a mix of United States and Eastern Caribbean dollars.

Will I be able to speak English?

Yes. English is the official language and is spoken everywhere.

What local food should I try?

Pigeon peas and rice is often considered the island's signature dish.

What can I do besides relaxing on the beach?

Activities include hiking, art gallery tours, horseback riding, fishing, golf and tennis. You can also take a glass-bottom boat trip or visit a spa.

What accommodation is available?

You can choose from hotels, villas, guest houses and apartments. High season is typically January to April, and quoted rates usually exclude taxes.

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