Anguilla travel guide

Getting there

Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport has short regional flights, but most visitors fly into Princess Juliana Airport on Sint Maarten and take a quick ferry or charter boat across from Marigot or nearby.

Best time to visit: Dec–Apr – dry, sunny weather outside hurricane season.

Tougher months: August to October – peak hurricane season, when storms can disrupt travel and some businesses close.

Weather by month in The Valley

• 28°J●
• 28°F
• 29°M
• 29°A●
• 30°M●
• 31°J●
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• 31°A●
• 31°S●●
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• 28°D●

Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).

Time zone: America/Puerto_Rico. Compare with your local time.

Official advisory: Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (U.S. Department of State, updated 2026-05-22). Read the advisory.

Source and more: Anguilla travel facts on RoamSun

Stay

Most trips to Anguilla are based around Shoal Bay East, Sandy Ground or Meads Bay. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.

Typical daily budget: about US$150–220 for a backpacker and US$350–700 mid-range, per person.

Source: RoamSun Anguilla page · Browse hotel guides

Connect

Plug types: A, B. Voltage: 110 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.

Calling code: +1264.

Mobile data: read the travel eSIM setup guide before you fly so the plan is installed and ready on landing.

Source: Advinne eSIM guide · RoamSun

Do

• Shoal Bay East (North coast · beach): A long sweep of soft white sand and turquoise water, often ranked among the Caribbean's finest beaches.
• Sandy Ground (Northwest · harbour village): The island's liveliest spot for beach bars and live music, set between a salt pond and a calm bay.
• Meads Bay (West coast · beach): A calm, swimmable beach lined with restaurants, perfect for sunset dinners on the sand.
• The Valley (Central · capital): The small capital where you can see Wallblake House, a historic plantation-era home, and local churches.
• Little Bay (North coast · cove): A hidden cove beneath limestone cliffs, reached by boat or rope, with excellent snorkelling.
• Sandy Island (Offshore · islet): A tiny sand cay off Sandy Ground that delivers castaway vibes in a half-day trip.

Things to do

• Beach-hop the west coast. Spend a day moving between powder-white Meads Bay, Rendezvous Bay and Shoal Bay West with the hills of St Martin on the horizon.
• Watch a boat race. Cheer from the shore as locally built wooden racing sloops battle it out, Anguilla's national sport.
• Snorkel at Little Bay. Clamber down to a tiny cliff-ringed cove where calm water hides turtles and schools of reef fish.
• Day trip to Sandy Island. Take a short boat ride to a speck of sand with a single beach bar and snorkelling on the surrounding reef.
• Eat at a roadside barbecue. Grab ribs, chicken and johnny cakes from a smoky lolo stand where locals gather on weekend evenings.
• Explore Heritage Museum. Browse old photographs and artefacts that tell the story of island life and the 1967 revolution.
• Sail to Prickly Pear Cays. Join a catamaran trip to uninhabited cays with dazzling sand and clear water for swimming.
• Dance at Shoal Bay East. Spend a lazy afternoon on one of the Caribbean's most celebrated beaches, then stay for live music at sunset.

Source: full Anguilla guide on RoamSun

Eat and drink

• Grilled crayfish – local spiny lobster cooked over a flame
• Pigeon peas and rice – the national dish
• Johnny cakes – fried dough bread
• Saltfish fritters – crispy salted cod bites

Source: RoamSun Anguilla guide

Money and safety

Currency: Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD). Currency and plug checker.

Tipping: 10–15%; a service charge is often added to bills.

Emergency numbers: 911 police, fire & ambulance.

• The official currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar, but US dollars are widely accepted.
• Cards are accepted at most hotels and restaurants, though small barbecue stands may prefer cash; ATMs are found in The Valley.
• Anguilla is generally very safe, but lock rental cars and do not leave valuables unattended on beaches.
• Check forecasts during hurricane season and follow local guidance if a storm approaches.

Source: RoamSun Anguilla facts