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Where to stay in Anguilla
Anguilla is a flat, low-lying coral and limestone sliver in the Eastern Caribbean, stretching roughly sixteen miles from tip to tip. Because public transport is virtually non-existent, your base determines your daily rhythm. Staying near the western beaches puts you in walking distance of powdery sand and upscale dining, while central inland spots require a rental car for every single trip to the coast.
Meads Bay
Meads Bay feels lively and polished, anchoring some of the island's best contemporary resorts. From here, you can easily walk along the wide crescent of white sand between resort restaurants like Straw Hat and Blanchards, or stroll up to the local roadside barbecue spots just back from the beach.
Sandy Ground
Sandy Ground wraps around a sheltered salt pond and harbor filled with moored sailboats. It functions as the island's social hub, offering a walkable strip of barefoot beach bars, live music venues like the Pump House, and calm waters where fishermen bring in the daily catch.
Blowing Point
Blowing Point is the bustling ferry port terminal area on the southern coast. It feels distinctly local and unpretentious, serving as the practical arrival point from St. Maarten. While lacking major resort amenities, it offers functional guesthouses and easy road connections to the rest of the island.
West End Village
West End Village retains a sleepy, residential character far removed from mass tourism. It is a quiet collection of lanes dotted with local churches, small groceries, and neighborhood bakeries. You can walk down to secluded coastal access points and view the offshore keys, though you will need a car for evening dining.
One thing to think about
Think twice about renting a villa deep in the eastern interior around East End without a guaranteed four-wheel drive and a firm plan for meals. While wonderfully quiet, it leaves you entirely isolated from grocery stores, beaches, and restaurants, turning every simple lunch or swim into a twenty-minute drive.
Once you have a bed
The things that sell out first in Anguilla are the small-group tours and the skip-the-line tickets.
Common questions
Do I need to rent a car in Anguilla?
Yes, absolutely. There is no reliable public bus system, and taxis are metered per trip at very high fixed rates. Renting a car is essential for exploring the island's thirty-three distinct beaches, grocery shopping, and visiting different restaurants across the island.
Which side of the island has the best beaches?
The western and northern coasts, including Meads Bay, Barnes Bay, and Shoal Bay East, feature the widest stretches of powdery white sand and turquoise water. The southern and eastern shores tend to be more rugged, wind-swept, and rocky, though great for solitude.
Is Anguilla walkable between different areas?
No. While individual areas like Meads Bay or Sandy Ground are walkable within themselves, walking between different towns or regions is dangerous and impractical. Distances are long, roads lack continuous sidewalks, and the midday sun is intense.
Hotel links go to Booking.com.