Anguilla
Covers 25 islands from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands to Aruba, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Cozumel and Roatán, with prices, flights and entry rules checked at the source.
UpdatedThis page carries dated prices, schedules or seasonal facts checked on the date above, and that window has now passed. Re-check the sources at the foot of the page before you book.
Anguilla is a beach island and nothing else. That is the reason to go. It is low, dry and ringed with long white-sand beaches, and the water off the north and west coasts is usually calm. There are no high-rise hotels, no cruise piers and few sights. You come to swim, eat well and do very little.
Getting there has changed. Older guides say Anguilla has no US nonstop. That is out of date: American Eagle flies nonstop from Miami, and Kayak showed two nonstops on January 13, 2027. In winter, an Anguilla-based service sold as AnguillAir adds seasonal nonstops from Boston, Newark and Baltimore. Even so, the Anguilla Statistics Department counts 59% of 2025's 114,965 tourists arriving by sea, mostly on the short ferry from St. Martin. The island had a record year in 2025: 229,734 visitors in all, the most in 33 years.
At a glance
- Best for
- Couples and families who want long, calm beaches and good food, and nothing more
- Skip it if
- You need nightlife, sights or a cheap winter room
- Getting there
- American Eagle nonstop from Miami to AXA; seasonal nonstops from Boston, Newark and Baltimore; or the ferry from St. Martin
- Hotel, mid-January
- $320 (Anguilla Great House Beach Resort, 3-star, taxes in)
- Hotel, mid-July
- $159 (same hotel)
- Island size
- 35 sq mi (91 sq km), flat and mostly scrub
In this guide
How Anguilla scores
Six factors, scored 0 to 10 the same way for all 64 islands. How we score
- WeatherData · 20%9.3
- Beaches & seaEditors · 25%9.5
- Things to doEditors · 25%5.0
- Getting there from the USData · 10%8.2
- ValueData · 10%4.6
- Room to breatheData · 10%5.6
Weather month by month
Best months by our weather score: April, May, December. Daytime highs, rain and sunshine are 2016–2025 averages at Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport (Open-Meteo historical weather archive); sea temperatures are 2022–2025 averages for the nearest sea area (Open-Meteo marine archive). Months marked in the storm row fall in the Atlantic hurricane season (June 1 to November 30); the score takes that risk into account.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 79 | 78 | 78 | 79 | 80 | 82 | 83 | 83 | 83 | 83 | 82 | 80 |
| Sea °F | 80 | 80 | 80 | 81 | 83 | 84 | 84 | 85 | 86 | 86 | 84 | 82 |
| Rain (in) | 1.4 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 1.7 | 2.1 | 1.7 | 2.6 | 3.5 | 5.1 | 4.9 | 4.8 | 1.7 |
| Weather score | 9.6 | 9.5 | 9.5 | 9.7 | 9.9 | 9.4 | 8.9 | 7.3 | 6.1 | 6.8 | 7.9 | 9.8 |
| Storm season | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
The numbers behind the score
- Gateway airport
- Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport (AXA)
- US nonstops
- MIA, BOS, EWR, BWI
- Distance
- 3,559 mi from Los Angeles, 1,676 mi from New York
- Passport
- Needed for US citizens
- Hotel, one night
- $320 on Jan 13, 2027 · $159 on Jul 14, 2027 (Anguilla island-wide (cheapest result on Rendezvous Bay))
- Visitors a year
- 114,965 overnight visitors (2025), plus 14,769 cruise passengers
- Bringing a dog
- Possible: Import permit from the Government of Anguilla's Department of Agriculture plus a USDA APHIS-endorsed health certificate; no quarantine listed
Hotel prices: Cheapest 3-star-or-better double, 1 night, 2 adults, nightly total with taxes and fees, Kayak (Anguilla search), checked 2026-10-20. Both dates: Anguilla Great House Beach Resort. Only about a dozen 3-star-or-better hotels were listed.. Visitor figures: Anguilla Statistics Department, Tourism series tables 2.4.5 (Tables 2.4.5-V8, 2.4.5-T1, 2.4.5-C1).
Where Anguilla ranks
Who Anguilla is for, and who should skip it
Anguilla is for couples and for families with young kids who want calm, shallow water and an easy daily routine. It is quiet, flat and small, so a car gets you anywhere in minutes. Driving is on the left.
- Go if you want a different beach every day and long lunches.
- Go if you like the idea of no cruise crowds. Only 14,769 cruise passengers landed in 2025, on small ships in winter.
- Skip if you get bored without sights, shopping or nightlife. Book St. Martin instead and day-trip here.
- Skip if money is tight in winter. The cheapest 3-star room on our January date cost $320.
Where to stay, with the prices we found
We searched Kayak on October 20, 2026 for one night, two adults, taxes and fees included, in a 3-star-or-better hotel. Anguilla had only about a dozen qualifying properties, and the price floor is high.
| Area | January 13, 2027 | July 14, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Rendezvous Bay: Anguilla Great House Beach Resort | $320 | $159 |
| South Hill: La Vue Boutique Inn | $338 | $237 |
| Shoal Bay: Serenity Cottages | $492 | $345 |
| Shoal Bay: Zemi Beach House | $1,780 | $790 |
| West End: Four Seasons Resort and Residences | $2,158 | $1,082 |
Summer is the deal here: the same cheapest room cost about half as much in July as in January. Most visitors split between the West End (Meads Bay, Maundays Bay, Rendezvous Bay), where the big resorts are, and Shoal Bay East on the northeast coast. Villas are a large part of the market and are not in these figures.
Beaches: why Anguilla scores so high
Almost every beach here is sand, not rock, and most are long enough that you never feel crowded.
- Shoal Bay East: powdery sand, shallow water, good snorkeling off the east end. Beach bars and loungers to rent.
- Meads Bay: a long, calm West End curve lined with resorts and restaurants. Good for kids.
- Rendezvous Bay: wide and quiet, facing St. Martin across the channel.
- Maundays Bay and Cove Bay: sheltered southwest bays, usually glassy in the morning.
- Sandy Ground (Road Bay): the harbor beach, with boats, bars and live music on weekends.
- Little Bay: a tiny cove under cliffs, reached by boat or a steep rope climb. Not for small children.
We score Anguilla 9.5 of 10 for beaches. It misses a perfect score only because there is little shade and few facilities on the quieter beaches.
Things to do: a short list
Be honest with yourself here. Beyond the beach you have:
- Boat trips to Sandy Island and the Prickly Pear Cays for snorkeling and lunch.
- Restaurants. Eating out is the main evening activity, from beach barbecue shacks to resort dining rooms.
- Day trips by ferry to St. Martin for shopping and a change of scene.
There are no big-ticket sights, no rainforest and no nightlife beyond weekend music at Sandy Ground. That is about it. Our score of 5 of 10 reflects a beach island with a handful of excursions. If you want hikes, history and nightlife on the same trip, Antigua gives you more.
When to go
The driest, sunniest months are roughly December to April, which is also when prices peak. May and June are the sweet spot for calm seas and lower rates. Summer is hotter and more humid, and our July price was half the January one.
Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, per the NOAA National Hurricane Center, peaking around September 10. Anguilla took a direct hit from Hurricane Irma in 2017; tourist numbers dropped to 87,345 in 2018 before recovering. If you book in that window, choose a refundable rate. See our hurricane season guide.
Getting there from the US: nonstop or ferry
You have three realistic options:
- Nonstop to Clayton J. Lloyd International (AXA). American Eagle flies from Miami. For the 2025/26 winter, the tourism board listed seasonal twice-weekly nonstops from Boston, Newark and Baltimore, December to April; the airport's airline table lists the same routes again for 2026/27.
- Fly to St. Martin (SXM) and take a ferry. The public ferry from Marigot on the French side to Blowing Point costs $30 for ages 12 and up and $20 for children, with about nine departures a day and no reservations. Private ferries from the Dutch side, near the airport, start at $65 one way and should be booked ahead.
- Fly to St. Martin and hop over. Anguilla Air Services flies a seven-minute shuttle. From San Juan there are several small-plane links.
Departure tax is charged when you leave. By air or public ferry it is $28 for ages 12 and up, $15 for ages 5 to 11 and $3 for ages 2 to 4, cash only. Leaving on a Dutch-side private ferry it is $36, $23, $11 and $8 for under-2s, cash or card.
US citizens need a passport valid on entry, plus a return ticket, proof of funds and booked accommodation; no visa. If you route through St. Maarten you also need its online entry form. A dog needs a USDA-endorsed health certificate and an import permit from Anguilla's Department of Agriculture.
Tickets and tours you can book
St. Maarten: Full-Day Catamaran Sail to Prickly Pear Cays
Lunch, drinks and port fees are included; hotel transfers and gratuities are not.
Rating as shown on GetYourGuide
St. Martin: Anguilla South Full-Day Catamaran Cruise
Lunch, an open bar and Anguilla marine reserve and immigration fees are included; transfers to the marina are not. A practical way to see Anguilla's beaches from St. Martin.
Rating as shown on GetYourGuide
Night Kayaking in Clear Kayaks | Glowing Waters & Stars
A short, small-volume operation with few reviews. Towel and safety gear are provided.
Rating as shown on Viator
Booking through these links supports this site at no cost to you. Prices move by date, so we do not print them here; the official prices we checked are in the page above.
Frequently asked questions
Can you fly direct to Anguilla from the US?
Yes. American Eagle flies nonstop from Miami, and in winter there are seasonal nonstops from Boston, Newark and Baltimore. Many visitors still fly to St. Martin and take the ferry, which the Statistics Department's figures show is how most tourists arrive.
How much is the ferry from St. Martin to Anguilla?
The public ferry from Marigot costs $30 for ages 12 and up and $20 for children, per the tourism board. Private ferries from the Dutch side start at $65 one way. You also pay Anguilla's departure tax when you leave: $28 per adult on the public ferry or by air, $36 on a Dutch-side private ferry.
Do I need a passport for Anguilla?
Yes. A US passport valid on entry, a return or onward ticket, proof of funds and booked accommodation. No visa is required for US citizens.
Is Anguilla better than St. Martin?
For beaches and quiet, yes. For things to do, prices and flight choice, no. Many travelers stay in St. Martin and visit Anguilla for a day by ferry.
When is the cheapest time to visit Anguilla?
Summer. On our dates the cheapest 3-star room cost $159 in July against $320 in January. Late summer and fall are also peak hurricane season, so book a refundable rate if you go then.
Further reading
Official sources
- Anguilla Statistics Department - Tourism series tables 2.4.5 (Excel) – 2025: 229,734 visitors, 114,965 tourists (67,971 by sea, 46,994 by air), 114,769 excursionists, 14,769 cruise passengers; 2018: 87,345 visitors; published September 9, 2026; checked October 20, 2026
- Anguilla Statistics Department - Tourism Summary December 2025 – 229,734 visitors in 2025, the highest annual arrivals in 33 years; checked October 20, 2026
- Anguilla Tourist Board - Getting to Anguilla – Seasonal BWI, BOS, EWR nonstops (2025/26), public ferry $30/$20, private ferries from $65, departure tax $28/$15/$3 and $36/$23/$11/$8; checked October 20, 2026
- Anguilla Tourist Board - Entry requirements – Passport, return ticket; pet import form from the Agricultural Department; checked October 20, 2026
- US Department of State - Anguilla travel information – Passport valid at entry, 1 blank page, no visa with onward ticket, funds and accommodation; St. Maarten form if routing via SXM; checked October 20, 2026
- USDA APHIS - Pet travel from the United States to Anguilla – APHIS-endorsed health certificate plus Government of Anguilla import permit; page modified April 1, 2026; checked October 20, 2026
- Wikipedia - Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport, Airlines and destinations – American Eagle to Miami; BermudAir seasonal Baltimore, Boston, Newark; checked October 20, 2026
- Wikipedia - BermudAir – Seasonal Anguilla flights to Baltimore, Boston and Newark launched December 2025 under the AnguillAir brand; checked October 20, 2026
- NOAA National Hurricane Center - Tropical cyclone climatology – Atlantic season June 1 to November 30, peak around September 10; checked October 20, 2026
- Kayak hotel and flight searches, Anguilla – Cheapest 3-star-or-better, 2 adults, taxes and fees in: $320 January 13, 2027 and $159 July 14, 2027; Kayak flights showed 2 MIA-AXA nonstops on January 13, 2027; checked October 20, 2026
