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Anguilla Travel Guide: Where to Stay, What to Do, and Why It's Worth It
- Heather Vergara
- 5 days ago
- 14 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
My family and I visited Anguilla for February Break 2026, and here’s why it became one of our favorite Caribbean islands. Anguilla is in a category of its own for exceptional beaches, stunning turquoise water, outstanding dining, and a more relaxed, refined feel versus Caribbean destinations like Turks & Caicos, St. Lucia, or the Bahamas.
Anguilla isn’t loud about its beauty. It doesn’t compete for attention the way some Caribbean islands do. There are no cruise ports, no high-rise resorts, no flashy nightlife scene. And yet, the moment we arrived, we understood why those who know Anguilla tend to return again and again.
This is an island of wide, powder-soft white sand beaches, breathtakingly clear blue water, both refined and casual beachfront dining, and understated luxury that feels effortless. After spending time exploring the island — from long beach walks to sunset dinners and touring its most sought-after resorts — we left convinced that Anguilla deserves a permanent spot on more travelers’ vacation calendar.
So why do you go to Anguilla? What makes it different from Turks & Caicos, St. Lucia, the Bahamas, or Mexico? Read on for a Travel Guide to Anguilla, including the top five reasons Anguilla should be on your vacation dream board.
Why Travel To Anguilla
1) Unreal shades of turquoise water and powder-soft white sand beaches
Anguilla’s beaches are considered some of the best in the Caribbean, known for their soft white sand, calm turquoise water, and a sense of space that’s increasingly rare on other islands. With 33 beaches along just 35 square miles, the island offers remarkable variety — yet almost all share the same defining qualities: powdery sand, gentle waves, and uncrowded shorelines.
What makes Anguilla’s beaches stand out most is how natural and unspoiled they feel. With no cruise ports and strict building height restrictions that keep large developments off the shoreline, even the most famous beaches feel peaceful and open. The water is typically calm and crystal clear, making it ideal for swimming, paddleboarding, and relaxing.
That gorgeous Anguilla water!
Each beach has its own personality:
Shoal Bay East is the island’s most celebrated stretch, famous for its vivid blue water and laid back beach bars. Zemi Beach House, where we spent the second half of our stay, sits on lovely Shoal Bay East. We walked for long stretches every morning and enjoyed rum punch, grilled seafood, and live music at neighboring Gwen’s Reggae Bar, Madeariman, and Tropical Sunset.
Meads Bay, the most popular stretch, offers a perfect mix of beautiful sand and island restaurants with sunset views that draw visitors each evening. Four Seasons Anguilla’s north side sits on Meads Bay, while its southern section and villas are set on Barnes Bay, a quieter, more secluded beach. Make sure not to miss Elvis’ Beach Bar, the most famous spot for sunset on Meads Bay.
Maundays Bay, home to Cap Juluca, feels especially serene with its sweeping crescent of bright white sand and glassy water with luxury yachts moored in the distance. My jaw dropped when I got my first glimpse of this spectacular bay!
For something quieter, Rendezvous Bay provides expansive views across the channel to St. Martin and long, tranquil walks along the shore. Aurora Anguilla’s Rendezvous section sits on Redezvous Bay.
What many travelers remember most about Anguilla’s beaches is the sense of calm. Even during peak season, it’s easy to find stretches of sand that feel nearly private.
1) Anguilla's Shoal Bay East, 2) Meads Bay, 3) Maundays Bay, 4) Meads Bay at sunset
2) Quiet and chill luxury - no cruise ships, no high-rise hotels
Boutique resorts and beachfront villa properties are Anguilla’s main accommodation options. However, for the first half of our trip, we chose the one property that doesn’t fit the “boutique” classification - Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club, a sprawling 300-acre resort that’s home to the island’s only golf courses. Aurora wouldn’t have been my choice, but my golf-obsessed son wanted as much golf time as possible. In three days, he and my husband got in 66 holes! If golf is your priority, make sure to stay on the Rendezvous side where the beach is better, the dining options are more plentiful, and the vibe is more lively. Unfortunately, we were on the Merrywing side in the Tower, which we likened to an office building. Live and learn.
While staying at Aurora, I toured Four Seasons Anguilla and Cap Juluca, two dreamy 5-star resorts that left me wishing golf wasn’t a mandate for us. Four Seasons offers a lively vibe plus tons of amenities, activities, and dining options across two beaches, while Cap Juluca, a Belmond Hotel, boasts a stunning setting on Maundays Bay and a peaceful, intimate vibe. I fell in love with both of them.
Zemi Beach House on Shoal Bay East was our home for the second half of our trip. We loved the Balinese aesthetic, the pool and restaurants at the water’s edge, and the boutique charm and smaller footprint. This side of the island is quieter (versus the Meads Bay area where the Four Seasons is), which was fine by us for the end of our stay.
Four Seasons Anguilla, Cap Juluca, and Zemi Beach House
Read more about Where to Stay on Anguilla.
3) Safest island in the Caribbean
Anguilla, part of the British West Indies, is a small 35-square-mile island known for its warm and welcoming islanders. With no language barrier, a refined British vibe, low crime, and easy roads, you can feel comfortable exploring the island on your own. We rented a car and drove most of the island for meals and excursions. Roads are easy to navigate with no traffic, but driving is on the left, which takes some getting used to. If you're golfing and bringing your own clubs like my boys did, make sure you rent a larger car! Ours was tiny, and we had to put one set of clubs in the front seat with me, the other across my family's lap in the back, and the suitcases were stacked in the trunk! If you don't want to rent a car, you can rent an open-air moke on days you want to explore. Most of the resorts have them available.
Our crowded car and the cute open-air moke
4) The culinary scene is remarkably good for a small island
Anguilla is widely considered the culinary capital of the Caribbean, offering a blend of chic upscale beachfront dining and authentic local BBQ shacks with picnic tables in the sand, white lights in the palm trees, and live music. The scene is defined by fresh seafood, particularly lobster and crayfish, a petite and sweeter lobster, as well as West Indian curries, Johnnycakes (a dense fried bread), and pigeon peas and rice (the national dish).
Top: sailing to Prickly Pear Island
Bottom: crayfish and steak lunch on Scilly Cay and lobster on Prickly Pear
We dined around the island - and off the island, too. Anguilla has several small strips of sand off its shores where you can spend an afternoon lounging on the beach and dining at open-air restaurants designed for daytrippers. We spent a day on Prickly Pear Island with Traditions Sailing, enjoying calm turquoise waters and a lunch of grilled lobster and fresh-caught red snapper. My son helped reel in the snapper!
Another afternoon, we made our way to Scilly Cay for a crayfish lunch and the strongest rum punch in Anguilla. You arrive at the dock, wave to the island, and a boat comes to pick you up. We even brought our snorkeling gear, and the kids snorkeled while we waited for lunch.
We didn't make it to Sandy Island this time, a treasured spit of sand off Sandy Ground beach, home to the most famous beach bar in the middle of the Caribbean. Over the years, Sandy Island has been washed away or “renovated” by hurricanes countless times. New sand deposits and rebuilds have brought it back every time. Next visit, we’re there!
5) Sailing, snorkeling, and relaxing - plus golf, too
Anguilla is perfect for travelers seeking clear blue Caribbean water, pristine beaches, good food, and time to relax. If you’re looking for lots of adventure, Anguilla may not be the best fit.
For golfers, Aurora Anguilla’s International Course offers the island’s only 18-hole course. On this par-72 course, you can enjoy spectacular views of St. Martin. Avalon Links, ranked the Best 9 Hole Golf Course in the Caribbean, is perfect for quick rounds and beginners. You don’t have to stay at Aurora to golf there, but if you want to get in as much playing time as possible, it helps!
Golf, beach, and Prickly Pear Island
We loved our time on Anguilla. The only downside to this beautiful island is the logistics of getting here.
How to Get to Anguilla
Although expansion is underway, Anguilla’s airport (AXA) is small with limited international flights. American Airlines offers only one flight per day from Miami to AXA, but the return schedule from Anguilla to the U.S. is less reliable. Many travelers find it easier and less expensive to fly in and out of St. Maarten (SXM) and take a 25-minute boat transfer to Anguilla. However, this makes for a long day, given wait time for the boat. For us, our travel time was 12 hours door-to-door.
I recommend checking the AXA roundtrip schedule first, then a multi-city itinerary where you fly into AXA and out of SXM, so you at least have a shorter travel time upon arrival. Your last option is roundtrip SXM with a boat transfer. If you do go the SXM route, splurge on a private boat transfer to shorten the wait time and make the whole process more enjoyable. Our 2+ hour wait time and manifest issue with Calypso Charters Anguilla is not something I would recommend.
Who Anguilla is Perfect For
Anguilla is perfect for couples looking for quiet luxury, time together on spectacular beaches, and the ability to safely explore the island to check out all the culinary options. For families with kids, Anguilla is best for those travelers who prioritize the beach and water over activities and want a luxurious Caribbean vacation away from the crowds.
Where to Stay in Anguilla
Where you stay in Anguilla shapes your entire experience more than almost anywhere else in the Caribbean. We stayed at two resorts, and I had the pleasure of touring two more. I’ll include one other resort I didn’t have a chance to visit, and among those five, I think you’ll get a taste of the five best places to stay in Anguilla.
Four Seasons - Best for families and travelers looking for a lively vibe and a wide range of amenities and entertainment
Malliouhana - Best for families looking for a glamorous boutique experience with lots of activities
Cap Juluca - Best for beach-loving couples looking for privacy and an intimate vibe
Zemi Beach House - Best for beach lovers and travelers looking to chill
Aurora Anguilla - Best for golf enthusiasts and families with young kids who will take advantage of the waterpark. Book the Rendezvous wing.
All but Zemi Beach House are on the west side of the island, where most of the bars and restaurants are along Meads Bay. Four Seasons and Malliouhana sit on opposite sides of Meads Bay, while Cap Juluca and Aurora are on Anguilla’s southern shore, a short drive from Meads Bay. Zemi Beach House is about a 30-minute drive east on beautiful Shoal Bay East.
Four Seasons Anguilla is the island’s most recognized brand and offers the most comprehensive range of amenities, dining venues, and accommodations. With Meads Bay to the north and Barnes Bay to the south, Four Seasons guests can choose from two beaches that offer calm water for watersports and swimming, long stretches of sand for strolls, and beachfront bars and restaurants in walking distance.
Choose from three different pools - two family-friendly pools plus the adult-only sunset pool with an infinity edge overlooking the bluff. With a spa, both an indoor and outdoor gym plus fitness classes, and a sports pavilion with basketball, tennis, and rock climbing, activity seekers have a host of options. Kids 5-12 can participate in the Kids For All Seasons programs, while mom and dad can enjoy culinary or cocktail classes or just lounge at the Sunset Pool.
Four Seasons Anguilla pools
Restaurants at the Four Seasons draw foodies from around the island. Plan ahead for reservations at Salt for seafood and spectacular views. We enjoyed sunset and sushi appetizers at the Sunset Lounge and then dinner at Lima-Limon for coastal Mexican, one of my favorite evenings!
From regular oceanview rooms to five-bedroom beachfront villas, this property appeals to couples seeking a lively getaway, families looking for lots of activities, and multi-generational groups in need of space and all the amenities of home.
Four Seasons Anguilla is ideal for families and couples celebrating a milestone who want a full-service resort experience without losing that barefoot island vibe.
Four Seasons Anguilla room and Sunset Lounge
Malliouhana sets the standard for glamour and boutique charm on Anguilla. Set atop a bluff that rolls down to pristine white sands and azure blue sea, this beachfront oasis offers travelers spacious suites and villas, family amenities, and a whole range of activities. Daily classes include tennis, pickleball, yoga, fitness, and more.
Anguilla is known for 33 stunning beaches, and 3 of them grace Malliouhana’s property - Mead’s Bay, Turtle Cove, and Bobbing Cove. A two-tier infinity edge pool - family on the bottom, adult-only on top - overlooks the Caribbean with uninterrupted views.
Malliouhana Anguilla is ideal for families looking for a glamorous boutique experience with lots of activities to fill their days as well as beautiful beaches and pools for when they just want to chill.
Malliouhana's pool, suites, rooms, and beach
Cap Juluca sits majestically along Maundays Bay, a 1.5-mile curved stretch of soft sand and clear Caribbean water that feels like a postcard come to life. Effortlessly elegant yet relaxed, Cap Juluca’s white-washed suites and villas draw inspiration from Moorish Mediterranean style and emphasize spacious privacy. Given the villas are perched along a long stretch of sand, guests are given a beach cruiser upon arrival to get around, or they can call for a golf cart pickup.
Cap Juluca's Moorish Mediterranean aesthetic
The Spa by Guerlain is an oasis of relaxation, set amid lush botanical gardens overlooking the cerulean-blue bay. The rooftop lounge with jaw-dropping views is reason enough to book an appointment. The custom-made fragrance at the Guerlain boutique is the icing on the cake.
Cap Juluca is perfect for beach-loving couples seeking refined and romance-focused luxury.
Cap Juluca sits majestically along Maundays Bay
Located on Shoal Bay East, one of Anguilla’s best beaches, Zemi Beach House stands out as an intimate boutique resort with a chill vibe and Southeast Asian aesthetic. Coming from Aurora Anguilla’s sprawl and lack of charm, we fell in love with Zemi’s smaller footprint, lush landscaping, and cozy “right-on-the-beach” experience.
The beach and architecturally interesting oceanfront pool and restaurant complex are the draws at Zemi. We spent our days here, never venturing far. The chairs and bali beds are super comfortable, and the pool and beach service are impeccable. We enjoyed strolls on the beach and the ability to walk to meals off-property.
Zemi Beach House
Our favorite night was the Wednesday Beach BBQ, with grilled lobster and live entertainment that kept us dancing long after we finished eating. Zemi’s other claim to fame is its Thai House Spa and Juice Bar, housed in a 300-year-old authentic Thai House that was transported from Thailand and reassembled on Anguilla.
Because the beach and main pool are so beautiful, the rest of Zemi’s amenities seem to be underused. The fitness center is small, and we were usually the only ones there. We played tennis one morning - they have one court - but we never saw anyone else playing. The adult pool is tucked away under tall palm trees and was empty, except for lap swimmers. They do have a Kids Club, but it seemed to be closed most of the time.
Zemi Beach House is ideal for beach lovers seeking a quiet, intimate resort for relaxation.
Aurora Anguilla is home to the island’s only golf course and waterpark, and also has a huge racquet complex and entertainment amphitheater. If you’re looking for all the activities and don’t mind a sprawling resort, Aurora may be right for you.
With two completely separate sections that require a shuttle in between, it’s not easy to experience all that Aurora has to offer. We spent a fair amount of time waiting on the shuttle. The Rendezvous section is the larger of the two, is on a gorgeous stretch of beach, and offers more dining options and a livelier vibe. Merrywing is close to the waterpark and includes beachfront villas and The Tower, where we stayed. The Tower is Aurora's least expensive accommodation, but I wouldn't choose it again due to the lack of charm and outside space, inefficient suite layouts, and super small beds.
While the boys enjoyed golfing and the kids played pickleball, we didn’t take advantage of any other resort amenities. We could see the waterpark from our room, and it never appeared to have much activity.
It’s difficult for me to recommend Aurora given our experience, but it could be a good fit for golf-loving families with young children who would use the waterpark. I recommend staying on the Rendezvous side.
Aurora Anguilla's golf, pickleball, waterpark, and the Merrywing Tower where we stayed. Locals call it the "office building"
Anguilla is one of those islands that looks simple on the surface — but knowing where to stay and how to structure your time makes all the difference. If you’re considering it for your next Caribbean escape, we can help make your dream vacation easy ... and spectacular. When you’re ready for Anguilla, Show Them the World can help you get there!
Anguilla FAQs
Is Anguilla expensive?
Anguilla’s price tag fits well with its barefoot luxury designation. Air and accommodations price on the high side, while food can be more affordable if you dine at casual restaurants. Dining off property is feasible given it’s easy and safe to rent a car, and you can also walk to beach bars and restaurants from many of the resorts.
For the resorts reviewed here, you can expect price tags of close to $2k per night (or higher for ultra-luxe) for a family of 4 in high season.
When is the best time to visit Anguilla?
Anguilla is a three-season island - winter, spring, and summer - with its peak season over Christmas and school winter breaks like President’s Day week in February (when we went) and Spring Break. Because Anguilla is in the hurricane zone, many resorts and restaurants shut down August-October to perform maintenance and minimize risks for travelers.
Do you need a passport for Anguilla?
Yes, as a British West Indies territory, Anguilla is an international destination and requires a passport. Everyone speaks English, and the US Dollar is accepted.
How many days do you need in Anguilla?
Given Anguilla isn’t as easy to get to as other Caribbean islands, I recommend at least a week to be able to fully experience the destination. Because each resort and beach offers something different, I advise my clients to consider a split stay so they can enjoy more than one location. For us, a split stay feels like two different vacations, and we look forward to the move, especially if we aren’t in love with the first resort, which was the case with Aurora Anguilla.
Is Anguilla good for families with teenagers?
Anguilla is perfect for families with all ages of kids, assuming they will be happiest at the beach and don't need to be constantly entertained. I think families with teenagers who love the beach and watersports and who would enjoy the freedom of being able to explore the island without safety concerns are a great fit for Anguilla. Families with young kids who need more activities will also enjoy Anguilla, but it's important to choose a resort with more family amenities and entertainment, like Four Seasons Anguilla or Malliouhana.
Do you need a rental car in Anguilla?
Because the island is safe, small, and easy to navigate - other than the fact that you're driving on the left - I suggest renting a car for all or some of your stay. The island rental agencies will deliver the car to you, so you don't have to rent the entire time. Another option is renting an open-air moke for the days you want to explore. Many of the resorts have these available onsite. Taxis are available but are quite expensive.
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Heather Vergara is a former PepsiCo marketing executive who left the corporate world to be a Mom and never found her way back. Instead, she focused on her passion for travel and adventure and created Show Them the World, a luxury travel planning service for busy families longing to reconnect and see the world together. She's now a Top Producer and Multi-Million Dollar Advisor with Gifted Travel Network, a boutique luxury host agency partnered with Virtuoso. Heather has helped hundreds of families experience Hawaii, Alaska, Costa Rica, the Caribbean, Italy, France, Greece, England, Ireland, Croatia, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Iceland, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, the Maldives, National Parks, and more to come!
Heather has an MBA in marketing from Indiana University, a Digital Marketing Executive Education certificate from Columbia University, and a BA in Journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She lives with her husband, two kids, and two furry dogs in Zionsville, Indiana.