Anguilla Beaches

Captain’s Bay - Is a rough and tumble surf at the eastern tip of the island. It is a long drive down a sand road. The reward is total seclusion with surf in a beautiful setting. Please note, however, that the surf can be extremely rough and the undertow quite strong. Access: Difficult.

Cove Bay - Located on the southwestern part of the island, Cove bay is a lovely crescent beach trimmed with palm trees. It is one of the less frequented beaches because there is no beach bar, but it is very easy to reach. This may change when a nearby hotel is completed. The water is calm, but we have not had any luck with snorkeling. It does have a great view of St. Martin and what we think is the best sand on the island - just like talcum powder. It stretches down to Maunday’s Bay beach. To get there, just follow the signs to Cove Road when you are at the west end of the island. Access: Easy.

Crocus Bay- This beach is picturesque because of the bluffs nearby. The water is quite clear, and there is good snorkeling near the bluff, although you have to be careful. We watched New Years Day boat races from here. It was very exciting and everyone had lots of fun. Check locally to find out where the Sunday races will be during your stay . Follow the signs to Roy’s Place, near the Cottage Hospital. The steep road down to the water has been paved. Access: Easy.

Island Harbor - This is the most active beach for local fishermen. There is a lot of shade on this beach and it is across the street from Cyril’s Fish Restaurant. A boat will take you out to Scilly Cay, a little "island" only a few hundred yards from the beach (see entry under Scilly Cay). Access: Easy.

PLEASE NOTE that ALL beaches on Anguilla are public beaches. Feel free to explore anywhere. You will not be hassled or bothered anywhere you go. There are many beaches and coves that are not on this list - don’t let that stop you from discovering a new one. Most beaches have very limited shade. Carry the beach umbrella from the villa.

Katouche - Of the more than 30 ravishing beaches, a challenging trail walk (from the caves) that leads to little-known Katouche, with its sybaritic snorkeling and perfect picnic site under the trees. By car - head west on Crocus Hill from the old hospital.

Limestone Bay - This wonderful, cove-like beach is picture perfect and a secluded spot. The road has recently been improved, so it is not too difficult to get to. To get there, drive towards the hospital at Crocus Bay. Just as you approach the hospital, there is a turnoff (unpaved) to the right. Follow it over a hill for about half-a-mile. Access: Moderate.

"Little" Shoal Bay - This is adjacent to Maunday’s Bay at the west end of the island, but is certainly worth the trip. It is not the great stretch of Shoal Bay, but it is very nice, nonetheless. It is the site of Cove Castles, a set of futuristic looking villas designed by NY architect, Myron Goldfinger, and was recently featured in a recent travel issue of Architectural Digest. Chuck Norris owns the huge home in the center of the beach (although according to local gossip, his estranged wife will live there after the divorce). There is a beach bar and restaurant, The Oasis, serving the usual luncheon fare (hamburgers, chicken, etc.). The snorkeling at the Oasis end of the beach is good and we were able to pick up many beautiful conch and other shells from the water to take home as souvenirs. To get there, follow the signs to Covecastles at the west end. If it is after 11 a.m., drive towards the Oasis (before then, that stretch of road is blocked). In the early morning, park just before Ciovecastels and walk down to the beach. Access: Easy.

Maunday’s Bay - This is the site of the Cap Juluca Hotel, the latest of the super luxury hotel-villa complexes on the island. It is a long, crescent shaped beach, which is getting more activity because of the hotel and Pimms Restaurant. It is a really lovely spot. Follow the signs to Cap Juluca at the west end. There is a watersports center here. Access: Easy.

Meads Bay and Long Bay - These beaches are located by Malliouhana Hotel (and also Carimar Beach Club and Coccoloba). During one trip, there was a strong surf but it is usually calm. It is a gorgeous, long stretch of beach and quite dramatic looking because of the hotel. There is a beach bar next to Malliouhana and a watersport center as well. Don’t expect to be able to use the beach chairs or umbrellas for the hotel guests - you will promptly be asked to move. To get there, follow the sign to Meads Bay. Park across from the Drug Store/Pro Shop complex. Access: Easy.

Mimi Bay - This is a very isolated beach just east of Seafeathers, but the trip is not that easy. When we were there, the surf was up a bit, so we didn’t feel that we would get much out of snorkeling, but we have heard that the snorkeling is excellent. Because of its location, more things tend to wash up on the sand, but the water is lovely. To get there, turn right at the road just before the end of the pond; then make a left onto a dirt road and follow the line of the road map. Access: Difficult.

Rendezvous Bay - This is another lovely spot with calm water and soft sand. It has a great view of St. Martin. The Anguilla Great House Hotel is here and it has a beach bar/restaurant where we have had some pleasant lunches. To get there, take the main road past Connor’s Car Rental. There is a turnoff to the left just after the Anguilla telephone building - follow the sign to the Anguilla Great House Hotel. Do not confuse this with road to the Rendezvous Bay Hotel which is off the road to the ferry. Access: Easy.

Sandy Ground (Road Bay) - This is the "commercial" area, where there are several restaurants, yacht and watersport activities. The best thing about this area is the activity, which you won’t find at most other beaches. A watersport center is located here, and this area is the site of the Mariner’s Hotel. Follow the signs to Mariner’s, Barrel Stay, Riviera, Palm-Palm, Johonno’s and Ship’s Galley at mid-island off one of the "give-ways". A new spot called "Pump House" just opened last year. Access: Easy.

Sandy Hill - This close-by beach is a treat. The bay has great snorkeling and warm water. A few local fishermen use this as their base. We have been able to buy lobsters right off the boat several times (although the fishermen only to out a couple of times a week). These are Caribbean lobsters and do not have claws. Note about lobsters: if you are lucky enough to get some, break off the antennae so that they will fit in the pot and steam for 20 minutes). We have also bought some fish (rock hin, old wife) at other times. To get to Sandy Hill, turn left onto the main road outside of Seafeathers. Just past the traffic circle on the way to the Valley. It is the first dirt road to the left after the chainlink fence (.9 km from the main road at Seafeathers turnoff). Access: Easy.

Sandy Island - This is one of several small islands off Anguilla. A boat will take you there from Sandy Ground (about $10 round trip), and there is supposed to be excellent snorkeling and a bar-b-cue restaurant. Get information from the Mariner’s Hotel about daily departures or go to the pier near Le Saint Clair.

Savannah Bay - This is a palm fringed beach north of Seafeathers. We have not been there but we saw it on the way to Captain’s Bay and it looked very inviting (and deserted). Access: Difficult.

Scilly Cay - This is reached via a three minute motorboat ride from Island Harbor. When you park at Island Harbor, just tell someone that you want to go to Scilly Cay. The ride is free. The hope is that you will buy a few drinks (or lunch) at the beach bar. Snorkeling equipment is provided. When we went snorkeling there, the water was rough, se we didn’t see much (except for some empty beer cans), but it might be a lot better on calmer days. It is a delightful way to spend an afternoon and has been an extremely popular "excursion" for many of our quests. See the restaurant listing for more details.

Shoal Bay - The most popular beach on the island (and for a very good reason) is a 10 minute drive from Seafeathers on the Northeast coast. There is excellent snorkeling, sunbathing and swimming on this 2 mile stretch. Generally, the surf is extremely calm. There are several restaurants and beach bars at the "center" of the beach which serve lunch, dinner, drinks and sell souvenirs (T-shirts, jewelry) and suntan lotion. There is also a watersport center where you can arrange diving, sailing and fishing trips. Newly opened Fountain Beach Hotel is at the west end. There are usually day-trippers from St. Martin who use this beach, but it is such a long stretch that they usually get "lost" among the sands. This is one of the beaches where there may be some sunbathing au naturel (frowned upon by natives) but it is such a large stretch of sand that it is never an obvious part of the landscape. The beach is north of the house - follow the road signs to Shoal Bay (and Le Beach). Access: Easy.

Sile Bay - This beach is located north of Seafeathers and is supposed to have good snorkeling when the sea is calm. In June, there was a lot of seaweed washed up on the shore and it was not very attractive. It is quite isolated, however, and a very nice spot when it is calm. Access: Moderate.

Palm Grove - This is the beach at the end of our road to which you can walk from our house. Walk through Rainbow Reef Villa on the right down the road to the beach. You will see a gazebo on the sand. Hotel de Health is planning to open this summer