The 15 Best Beaches in Anguilla

Which part of Anguilla has the best beaches?

The West End is particularly strong for luxury beach vacations. Meads Bay, Rendezvous Bay, Maundays Bay, Barnes Bay, Long Bay and Cove Bay all lie around this side of Anguilla, alongside many of the island's best-known restaurants and resorts.

Farther east, Shoal Bay is one of Anguilla's signature stretches of sand, while Island Harbour offers a more local coastal atmosphere. Sandy Ground sits on Road Bay and is the better choice when you want to pair a beach day with restaurants, bars, sailing and nightlife.

Best Beaches in Anguilla for Swimming and Families

Shoal Bay East

Shoal Bay is one of the names most closely associated with an Anguilla beach vacation. A long ribbon of bright sand, clear turquoise water and plenty of space for walking make it an excellent all-round choice. Swimming and snorkeling are popular, while beach restaurants and facilities make it straightforward to spend most of the day beside the water.

Meads Bay

Meads Bay combines a broad sweep of silky white sand with the upscale but relaxed character of Anguilla's West End. Its extraordinary water color and spacious shoreline make it equally appealing for swimming, morning walks and long afternoons beneath an umbrella. Some of Anguilla's notable beachfront restaurants also sit around Meads Bay, making this a particularly good choice when lunch by the water is part of the plan.

Rendezvous Bay

Long, open and beautifully positioned along Anguilla's southwest coast, Rendezvous Bay is made for relaxed beach days. The bay provides ample space for walking and sunbathing, with views across the Caribbean towards neighboring Saint Martin on clear days. Beach bars and watersports add energy without taking away from its laid-back atmosphere.

Maundays Bay

Maundays Bay forms an elegant crescent around clear Caribbean water on Anguilla's West End. Its pale sand and manicured surroundings create one of the island's most recognizable luxury beach scenes. Visit for swimming, unhurried walks and an exceptionally scenic Caribbean shoreline. The Anguilla Tourist Board continues to highlight Maundays Bay among the island's celebrated beaches.

Best Beaches in Anguilla for Snorkeling

Little Bay

Little Bay is one of Anguilla's great hidden-beach experiences. The tiny cove is enclosed by cliffs and is reached by boat, giving it a much more secluded atmosphere than the island's larger beaches. Clear water and the rocky shoreline make snorkeling a major attraction, while adventurous visitors may also recognize the bay for its well-known cliff-jumping spot.

Crocus Bay

Crocus Bay provides another scenic alternative to Anguilla's sweeping resort beaches. Its sheltered position and clear water make it attractive for swimming and exploring the coastline, while boat excursions can connect visitors with nearby Little Bay. The beach is also conveniently positioned close to The Valley.

Sandy Island

Sandy Island looks much like its name suggests: a tiny strip of brilliant sand sitting offshore in blue Caribbean water. Reached by boat from Sandy Ground, it makes a memorable day trip for swimming, snorkeling, shell hunting and lunch by the sea. The boat journey takes only around ten minutes, so it is easy to combine with time around Sandy Ground.

Prickly Pear Cays

For an offshore snorkeling day, the Prickly Pear Cays are among Anguilla's standout choices. The surrounding water is popular for swimming and snorkeling, with birdwatching and walking adding variety once you step ashore. Boat shuttles and private charters also offer easy access from the main island.

Most Peaceful Beaches in Anguilla

Long Bay

Long Bay is an appealing choice when privacy and open space take priority. The West End location places it close to many of Anguilla's best-known beaches and restaurants while retaining a noticeably quieter character. Our Anguilla villas' collection also includes stays around Long Bay, making it possible to keep one of the island's quieter stretches of coastline close to home.

Cove Bay

Cove Bay is a spacious West End beach where white sand meets calm-looking Caribbean scenery and relatively low-density surroundings. It is a strong option for travelers who prefer peaceful walks and a less developed beach setting while remaining within easy reach of Anguilla's West End dining and resort scene.

Barnes Bay

Barnes Bay feels intimate compared with Anguilla's longest beaches. Its West End setting combines pale sand and blue water with a small collection of luxury properties and beachfront dining. That makes it particularly attractive for couples or anyone looking for a quieter beach without traveling far from Meads Bay and the surrounding West End.

Shoal Bay West

Shoal Bay West is distinct from the much better-known Shoal Bay East and offers a considerably quieter experience. Set on Anguilla's southwestern side, it is an appealing place for an uncomplicated afternoon of sand, sea and Caribbean views. Its proximity to Maundays Bay and the wider West End makes it easy to visit several contrasting beaches during one stay.

Best Anguilla Beaches for Island Atmosphere

Sandy Ground

Sandy Ground is where beach life meets Anguilla's social scene. The broad beach sits on protected Road Bay, while restaurants, sailing operators and some of the island's best-known beach bars line the waterfront. The water here seldom sees significant waves, and the bay is also an important starting point for boat trips to Sandy Island and other offshore spots. After sunset, Sandy Ground becomes one of Anguilla's liveliest areas for music and drinks. Island Harbour For a more local side of Anguilla, head towards Island Harbour on the island's eastern end. Fishing boats and coastal views give the area a noticeably different atmosphere from the polished resorts of the West End. It is a good addition to a day exploring Shoal Bay and eastern Anguilla.

Savannah Bay and Junk's Hole

Savannah Bay offers a wilder-feeling coastal escape away from Anguilla's main resort strips. At the eastern end around Junk's Hole, Palm Grove provides a well-known stop for food in a secluded beach setting. The Anguilla Tourist Board describes this corner of the island as something of a secret hideaway, making it particularly appealing when escaping the busier beaches is the goal.

FAQs for the best beaches in Anguilla

What is the prettiest beach in Anguilla?

Choosing one is difficult, but Meads Bay, Shoal Bay and Maundays Bay are all strong contenders. Meads Bay is particularly impressive for its long sweep of white sand and turquoise water, while Maundays Bay offers an almost perfectly curved shoreline. The island's official tourism material regularly highlights all three among Anguilla's signature beaches.

What is the best beach in Anguilla for swimming?

Shoal Bay, Meads Bay, Rendezvous Bay and Maundays Bay are excellent places to start. Anguilla is generally known for calm, clear water and gently shelving beaches, although sea conditions can change and visitors should always assess conditions before swimming.

What is the best beach in Anguilla for snorkeling?

Little Bay is one of the island's most memorable snorkeling spots, particularly if you enjoy smaller coves and rocky underwater scenery. For a dedicated boat excursion, Prickly Pear is promoted by the Anguilla Tourist Board as a snorkeling destination, while Sandy Island is another easy offshore option.

Are beaches in Anguilla public?

Yes. All of Anguilla's beaches are publicly accessible, including those beside luxury resorts and villas. Resort loungers, watersports equipment and other facilities may still be reserved for guests or require payment.

Where to stay for the best beaches in Anguilla

The West End is particularly attractive if your vacation revolves around beaches. Staying here places Meads Bay, Maundays Bay, Rendezvous Bay, Long Bay, Barnes Bay and Cove Bay within a relatively compact part of the island, alongside excellent restaurants and other luxury amenities. Our award-winning collection of Anguilla villas includes beachfront homes and private retreats with pools, ocean views, spacious terraces and selected on-site staff, giving families, couples and groups a private base from which to explore Anguilla's coastline.