Long before sailing ships appeared on its horizon, Anguilla was home to Amerindian peoples who paddled up the island chain from South America. Arawak-speaking communities settled here well over a thousand years ago, leaving behind shell tools, pottery and the carved rock images at Fountain Cavern, a sacred site that hints at a rich ceremonial life. The island's low, flat shape and long eel-like outline later inspired its European name.
English settlers arrived from neighbouring St Kitts in 1650, attempting to farm tobacco, cotton and later sugar on the thin, dry soil. Harsh droughts, poor harvests and raids by French forces meant the plantation economy never flourished as it did elsewhere in the Caribbean. Many islanders turned instead to fishing, salt harvesting from the island's ponds, boatbuilding and small-scale farming, creating a tight-knit, self-reliant community. Slavery was abolished across the British Empire in the 1830s, and over time most land passed into the hands of local families.
Read the full history
In the nineteenth century Britain grouped Anguilla administratively with St Kitts and Nevis, an arrangement many Anguillians resented. When the three islands became an associated state in 1967, Anguillians expelled the St Kitts police and declared their own path in what became known as the Anguilla Revolution. Britain stepped in in 1969 with a largely peaceful operation, and the island was eventually separated from St Kitts, formally becoming a distinct British dependency in 1980. Today it is a self-governing British Overseas Territory with its own elected government.
Since the 1980s, tourism has transformed Anguilla into one of the Caribbean's quieter, more upscale escapes, while hurricanes such as Irma in 2017 tested its resilience. For visitors, the legacy is a place with a strong local identity: boat racing traditions born from the old sailing and fishing days, historic sites like the Wallblake House and the Heritage Museum, and a pride in independence that you will hear about in conversations at beach bars and roadside grills.
Timeline
c. 600 ADAmerindian communities established; Fountain Cavern used as ceremonial site
1650English settlers arrive from St Kitts
1834Slavery abolished across British colonies
1967Anguilla Revolution rejects rule from St Kitts
1969British forces land and restore administration
1980Formally separated from St Kitts as a British dependency
2017Hurricane Irma causes major damage; island rebuilds
Anguilla🛂 Visa & entry
Entry rules depend on your passport and change often.
Before you book, check the official rules for your passport:
Explore two oceanfront resorts in California and Anguilla, with beach activities, spa treatments, wellness experiences, and opportunities to relax and recharge.
Beach-hop the west coastSpend 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 raceCheer from the shore as locally built wooden racing sloops battle it out, Anguilla's national sport.
Snorkel at Little BayClamber down to a tiny cliff-ringed cove where calm water hides turtles and schools of reef fish.
Day trip to Sandy IslandTake a short boat ride to a speck of sand with a single beach bar and snorkelling on the surrounding reef.
Eat at a roadside barbecueGrab ribs, chicken and johnny cakes from a smoky lolo stand where locals gather on weekend evenings.
Explore Heritage MuseumBrowse old photographs and artefacts that tell the story of island life and the 1967 revolution.
Sail to Prickly Pear CaysJoin a catamaran trip to uninhabited cays with dazzling sand and clear water for swimming.
Dance at Shoal Bay EastSpend a lazy afternoon on one of the Caribbean's most celebrated beaches, then stay for live music at sunset.
Dive the shipwrecksDive deliberately sunk wrecks off the coast that now teem with coral, rays and reef life.
Visit the salt pondsWalk around the old salt ponds at Sandy Ground, where salt harvesting once sustained islanders.
Anguilla🗺️ Where to visit in Anguilla
Where to go in Anguilla
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Shoal Bay EastNorth coast · beachA long sweep of soft white sand and turquoise water, often ranked among the Caribbean's finest beaches.
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Sandy GroundNorthwest · harbour villageThe island's liveliest spot for beach bars and live music, set between a salt pond and a calm bay.
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Meads BayWest coast · beachA calm, swimmable beach lined with restaurants, perfect for sunset dinners on the sand.
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The ValleyCentral · capitalThe small capital where you can see Wallblake House, a historic plantation-era home, and local churches.
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Little BayNorth coast · coveA hidden cove beneath limestone cliffs, reached by boat or rope, with excellent snorkelling.
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Sandy IslandOffshore · isletA tiny sand cay off Sandy Ground that delivers castaway vibes in a half-day trip.
Anguilla✨ Must-do experiences
Take a boat to a tiny offshore cay like Prickly Pear
Eat grilled lobster at a beach shack
Snorkel over reefs at Shoal Bay East
Catch live reggae at a beach bar in Sandy Ground
Anguilla🍽️ Taste of Anguilla
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
Anguilla🌦️ Weather & best time to visit Anguilla
Best time to visit Anguilla
Anguilla is low, flat and dry, with warm temperatures all year moderated by trade winds. Rain is light compared with mountainous neighbours, and most falls in short bursts during late summer and autumn.
BestDecember to April – dry, sunny weather with steady breezes and calm seas.
ShoulderMay to July – fewer visitors, warm water and mostly fine weather, plus the island's summer festival.
AvoidAugust to October – peak hurricane season, when storms can disrupt travel and some businesses close.
28°💧Jan
28°☀️Feb
29°☀️Mar
29°💧Apr
30°💧May
31°💧Jun
31°💧Jul
31°💧Aug
31°💧💧Sep
30°💧💧Oct
29°💧💧Nov
28°💧Dec
Typical daytime highs and rain in The Valley (approximate averages).
Anguilla🎉 Festivals & events in Anguilla
Late July – early August
Anguilla Summer FestivalThe island's carnival, with boat races, calypso contests, pageants and street parades known as J'ouvert.
March
MoonsplashA long-running reggae music festival held around the full moon at a beach bar on Rendezvous Bay.
Easter weekend
Festival del MarA seafood and fishing celebration in Island Harbour with cooking, fishing contests and music.
30 May
Anguilla DayA national holiday marking the 1967 revolution, celebrated with a round-the-island boat race.
Anguilla🧭 Anguilla itinerary ideas
How many days in Anguilla?
4 daysBeach break 4 days
Day 1-2 settle into the west coast with Meads Bay and Rendezvous Bay, plus a sunset at Sandy Ground. Day 3 take a boat to Sandy Island or Prickly Pear Cays. Day 4 spend the day at Shoal Bay East.
7 daysIsland in a week
Day 1-2 explore the west-end beaches and a roadside barbecue. Day 3-4 visit The Valley, the Heritage Museum and Little Bay, then snorkel or dive. Day 5-7 enjoy Shoal Bay East, a catamaran day trip and a fresh lobster lunch in Island Harbour.
Anguilla🎒 Backpacking Anguilla – tips & hacks
Backpacker budget: about $150–220 a day
Anguilla is an expensive destination with no hostels, so look for small guesthouses or self-catering apartments and split costs with friends.
Consider staying on neighbouring St Martin, which has cheaper options, and visiting Anguilla on the short ferry crossing.
Public buses are almost non-existent, so budget for a rental car or arrange taxis carefully; drivers keep to the left.
Eat at roadside barbecue stands and local takeaways rather than resort restaurants for filling, affordable meals.
Every beach is public, so you can enjoy the most famous sands without paying for a resort stay.
Anguilla🛡️ Safety & money in Anguilla
Stay safe
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.
Roads can be narrow and unlit at night, and goats often wander across, so drive slowly.
Use strong reef-safe sunscreen and stay hydrated, as there is little natural shade on many beaches.
Money
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.
Many restaurants add a service charge to bills, so check before adding an extra tip.
Emergency: 911 police, fire & ambulance
Anguilla🛬 Getting to Anguilla
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.
Anguilla's name is thought to come from the Spanish or French word for eel, describing its long, thin shape.
The island has over 30 beaches, and all of them are open to the public.
Boat racing with traditional wooden sloops is considered the national sport.
In 1967 islanders broke away from St Kitts in a revolution that led to Britain sending forces in 1969.
Anguilla's internet domain .ai has become popular worldwide with artificial intelligence companies.
Anguilla❓ Anguilla travel FAQ
Anguilla travel questions
Is Anguilla safe for tourists?
Yes, Anguilla is considered one of the safer Caribbean destinations, with a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Petty theft can happen, so use normal precautions with valuables and rental cars.
What is the best time to visit Anguilla?
December to April offers the driest, sunniest weather and calm seas. Late summer and autumn bring the risk of hurricanes, and some businesses close for part of that period.
How many days do you need in Anguilla?
Four days is enough for the best beaches and a boat trip, while a week lets you truly slow down. Many people combine Anguilla with St Martin.
Do I need a visa for Anguilla?
It depends on your passport – check the official Anguilla government site or your nearest British embassy before you travel.
How do you get around Anguilla?
Renting a car is the easiest option, as public transport is very limited. Taxis are available but can add up; remember to drive on the left.
Anguilla💰 What a trip costs
$$$$price level
$150–220backpacker / day
$350–700mid-range / day
Approximate daily cost per person (stay, food, local transport).
Anguilla🚌 Getting around
Taxis and rental cars are the main ways to get around. Ferries connect Anguilla with nearby St Martin.
Anguilla🤝 Local etiquette
Greet people with 'good morning' or 'good afternoon' before asking anything
Wear swimwear only on the beach
Expect a relaxed 'island time' pace
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