THE BEST BEACHES ON THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN ISLAND
Unlike some other well-known Caribbean islands, Anguilla is still relatively undiscovered. Anguilla offers gorgeous scenic beaches, luxury accommodations and a diverse high-quality culinary scene. Named number one island in the Caribbean by Travel and Leisure magazine, this tiny island is a great place for a true beach getaway. You will be spoilt for choice, because at just 35 square miles, Anguilla has a whopping thirty-three white-sandy beaches. What makes it even more spectacular is all the island’s beaches are open to the public, with many completely deserted.
Here’s a list of the top Beaches in Anguilla, recommended by Nori Evoy and Louise Fayet, the two ladies behind Anguilla’s top tourism website www.Anguilla-Beaches.com
LITTLE BAY: Cliffs & Hidden Escapes
Little Bay is a true hidden treasure of Anguilla. It’s relaxed, almost deserted and yes, it’s little. To access it you must either climb down a rock ledge or hire a boat. If you like diving, snorkelling or swimming and jumping off large rocks, you are going to love Little Bay.
MAUNDAY’S BAY: Swimming & Walking Paradise
Maunday’s Bay with its platinum-white sand and turquoise calm waters looks like an ideal destination for honeymooners. One of the island’s poshest resorts, Belmond Cap Juluca, is located on this scenic crescent-shaped beach. Cap Juluca’s Pimm’s restaurant is an expensive and chic place for a romantic dinner too. This beach is great for relaxed swimming and walks. You can book a wonderfully soothing massage in a beachside tent and there’s free public parking too.
ISLAND HARBOUR: Sandy Coves & Fishing Boats
Located in northeast Anguilla, Island Harbour is a picturesque and laid-back fishing village packed with great restaurants. Grab a slice of pizza, a beer and have a stroll along a tranquil beach. If you come back to that place late in the afternoon, you can see little boats coming back with the day’s catch. This is where you take a quick boat ride to famous Scilly Cay for some potent rum punch and mind-blowing BBQ lobster.
SHOAL BAY: Iconic Views
Ranked time after time as “the best beach in the world” by travel writers and journalists, Shoal Bay is the most photographed of Anguilla’s beaches. It’s appreciated for its powder-fine sand, pristine turquoise water and gentle Caribbean breeze. There are Shoal Bay East and Shoal Bay West, but people usually refer to Shoal Bay East, when talking about Shoal Bay. The two-mile beach has calm blue waters and it’s perfect for relaxed swimming and snorkelling. There are plenty of bars and restaurants here, mainly set up to cater for day-trippers from St. Maarten, so you won’t go hungry either.
MEADS BAY: Culinary Delights
Some of Anguilla’s chicest hotels like Four Seasons, Malliouhana, and Carimar Beach Club are set around gorgeous Meads Bay, making it a destination for fine restaurant lovers and luxury connoisseurs. For a quintessential Anguilla experience, book a table at Blanchards Beach Shack. Launched back in 1994, it is still very popular. When visiting, you’ll find yourself surrounded by tropical gardens where you can dine by candlelight.
RENDEZVOUS: Regulars' Favourite
This beach, set on the southern shore of Anguilla, features uninterrupted breath-taking views of the Caribbean Sea and St. Maarten. It’s home to the beautiful CuisinArt Golf Resort and Spa and Rendezvous Bay Hotel – one of the oldest leisure properties on the island. Surrounded by lush greenery, it stretches for miles. This bay is one of the most popular areas for birdwatching.
