Sailing around Anguilla

Johan Maier

Anguilla is a relaxed, safe and scenically stunning destination with some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. This guide will show you what to look out for whilst sailing, which stops are particularly worth making, and what local highlights there are. Ideal for adding to your itinerary in the Northern Leewards.

Anguilla is beautiful. The island has an American feel to it, yet it doesn’t seem dirty or unsafe. The people are very friendly, but make sure you sort out your dinner in good time, as many restaurants close earlier than you might expect. There are an incredible number of stunning beaches, which is why the island is also popular with tourists who aren’t travelling by boat.

Rules:
Check-in and check-out usually take place via Road Bay. Blowing Point is also an option, but is generally used for emergencies; you must also inform the other station if you check in or out there.

Contrary to popular belief, you are also allowed to anchor in the Marine Park (e.g. at Prickly Pear) and stay there overnight – provided you pay the Marine Park fee for the following day as well. If buoys are available, you should use them. Anchoring is only permitted on sand, but is generally allowed.

Please note: Sailclear does not work in Anguilla.

Financial tip:
Where possible, pay in US dollars (cash or card), not in cash euros, as a 1:1 exchange rate is often applied. If the dollar is weak, you will otherwise incur unnecessary losses.

For divers:
Anguilla is an excellent destination for diving. There are numerous tours and many beautiful spots with a diverse underwater world.

Top spots:

- Rendezvous Bay:
A very beautiful bay, though with swell when the wind is from the east to north-east. The Coconut Bar is highly recommended. You can anchor here in about 3 metres of sand, usually with only a slight swell.

- Road Bay:
A central, lively hub with several restaurants and plenty of activity. This is where you clear in and out. The Elvis Beach Bar is highly recommended: the food is decent, the drinks are good, and there are plenty of games for children.

The Immigration Office in Road Bay is very friendly and helpful. However, over lunchtime, the break may sometimes last a little longer than stated.
Two days in the National Park cost around €150 for a 45-foot catamaran, for example.

- Crocus Bay:
A beautiful, sheltered bay with plenty of space. There are often several mega-yachts here. The only restaurant sometimes closes early, and there is no Digicel network coverage – meaning a complete dead zone for some providers.

- Shoal Bay:
Best reached by taxi, not really suitable for anchoring. If you want to spend a classic day at the beach, this is the ideal spot. Excellent snorkelling available, but watch out for the surf and currents around the reef.

- Prickly Pear:
You can anchor at the usual anchorage in the south-west and then go ashore in a dinghy. When the wind is from the south-east, it may be advisable to head north, directly in front of the beach – though this requires good visual navigation. You’ll need to navigate around the reef; best to head between the islands and close to the coast until you’re south-west of the reef, then head in on a course of about 90°. Google Maps satellite view is much more helpful here than Navionics, as the reef isn’t quite right on that one. Watch out for the surf when landing.

The beach bar in the south by the Captain Morgan statue is highly recommended:
Large menu (lobster, prawns, etc.) approx. 65 USD per person, small menu (ribs, chicken, mahi-mahi) approx. 35 USD per person. Very good food, drinks comparatively expensive (e.g. approx. 20 USD for a glass of rosé).
The beach is very beautiful; a walk northwards is well worth it. In April 2026, there was a shipwreck at the northern tip. Sun protection is essential, as it gets extremely hot. The reefs are excellent for snorkelling, and there are also a few day-trip boats passing by.

- Dog Island:
Beautiful, but often with a strong swell. Many bird colonies. Anchoring is possible on the south-east side in shallow water, but watch out for the surf.

- Meads Bay:
A very beautiful bay; you’ll need a permit to stay overnight. In the north of the bay, a few boat lengths from the rocks, there’s a very good anchorage on pure sand. Several beach bars invite you to relax.

I hope this helps you with your planning and I hope you have a great time in Anguilla.