The Caribbean's Best Kept Secret! Anguilla — a flat 26km coral island — has the Eastern Caribbean's most consistently spectacular beaches (Shoal Bay East is a perennial world top-10), a surprisingly sophisticated dining scene, and a tranquility that its wealthy habitués guard jealously. Unpretentious luxury at its finest.
Anguilla has luxury villa rentals (Cap Juluca, Belmond Cap Juluca, CuisinArt Golf Resort) and smaller boutique hotels. Meads Bay and Shoal Bay East anchor the main resort clusters. The island deliberately limits mass tourism — accommodation books out months ahead in peak season.
Spend a morning at Shoal Bay East (arguably the world's best easily accessible beach), take a water taxi to Sandy Island (a tiny deserted sandspit with a beach bar), snorkel the reef at Little Bay, and eat a fresh grilled lobster at Trattoria Tramonto on the Sunday boat session.
Anguilla's reef systems are protected within the Anguilla Marine Parks. The island's nationally significant brown pelican and frigatebird colonies nest undisturbed along the eastern bird sanctuary coastline.
Anguilla's 100+ restaurants relative to its 18,000 population makes it one of the Caribbean's most sophisticated culinary scenes. Try fresh spiny lobster from Hibernia Restaurant, cracked conch with festival bread, and local salt fish cake appetisers at beachside beach bars.
Anguilla Summer Festival (August) is the island's carnival — a week of calypso, boat racing (Anguilla's traditional wooden sailing boat races are uniquely spectacular) and street parties. Moonsplash Music Festival (March) is a beloved outdoor music event.
August Monday (first Monday of August, Emancipation) is the most significant public holiday — Anguillans celebrate their African heritage with joyful community events. Boat racing remains Anguilla's most passionate sporting tradition.
No mandatory vaccinations. Tap water is desalinated and safe. Hurricane season June–November — Irma (2017) caused significant damage, now largely rebuilt. Healthcare at Princess Alexandra Hospital is adequate for a small island; serious cases to Puerto Rico.
Flow and Digicel offer 4G coverage across the island. Excellent resort Wi-Fi. Most villa rentals include high-speed internet as standard.
