ULTIMATE ANGUILLA TRAVEL BLOG & GUIDE (2024)

2. Day Trip To Little Bay - Little Bay is one of those hidden gems that are only accessible by either water vessel or by 'activating' the adventurer in yourself & doing a little cliff climbing hike! Trust me when I say this is a MUST-SEE! This is simply because of how secluded it is! Talk about feeling like you have a private oasis all to yourself, surrounded by massive limestone walls, beautiful soft white sand, & some of the smoothest waters on the island!

A few noteworthy things to know about Little Bay:

• How do you get to Little Bay - There are two specific ways to get to Little Bay: by water vessel or by hiking in and climbing down the cliffside: 

1. Suppose you want to experience Little Bay as we did & do a self-guided tour. In that case, there is a small parking area for your car (enter this latitude & longitude precisely as shown in Google Maps): 18.2281995, -63.0678290 & once you are parked near the small fence, you should see a small hiking trail down the side of the hill. You will follow that to where you see the small cove & be on the lookout for a rope that will help guide you down the cliff side. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you take a pair of close-toed shoes that you don't mind getting wet, especially if you plan to jump off the rock! I have these water shoes that have a nice sole & dry quickly.
2. If you prefer to avoid the cliffside & hike, there are multiple tour boats/charters that you can catch. These charters can be as luxurious as you would like ($$$$) or a little simpler & much friendlier on the pocketbook ($$). For instance, you can catch a sailboat, hop on board a private speed boat or yacht, find Calvin under the big Tamarind Tree on Crocus Bay near Da'Vida, or adventure by  Kayaks from Crocus Bay (also nearest Da'Vida)

• Do a little cliff diving - There is a larger rock that sits just below this Villa property (yes, you can rent the villa!) that is known for cliff diving. In the first 20 seconds of this 1-minute clip, you can see exactly what I'm talking about if you want to see our experience! A word of advice... to climb the rock, you have to be able to hoist yourself up with a rope (it's secure) & you will be essentially climbing up a coral-like rock & it's incredibly sharp! I wore these shoes to climb up the rock, but Nate & our siblings decided to go barefoot. It's roughly 20 feet up, and when you get to the top of the rock & are ready to jump, try to jump as far as possible. It is deep enough, but if you are taller, I suggest jumping and tucking! It's deep enough to step right off, but I don't like to take any chances.... just JUMP & TUCK... and remember to empty your pockets BEFORE you jump!
• Little Bay has nothing else - meaning no food, no drinks, no bathrooms, no chairs, & one tiny tiny shade tree. So make sure you are prepared 
• Take a backpack - We easily spent 6-7 hours at Little Bay & after doing this, here is a list of items that we brought & wish we would have brought (ps, we used this drybag backpack 40L):

1. Snorkel Mask & flippers (make sure you burn the inside of the lens of your goggles & wash with dish soap; this will help with fogging)
2. Towel or thin blanket to lay on or to use for shade cover
3. Hat
4. Sunglasses
5. Sandwich/snack items
6. Portable Charger
7. Water/Gatorade (at least 2-3 per person, depending upon how long you are staying)
8. Water Shoes/tennys to climb
9. Deodorant
10. SPF long-sleeve shirt (Nate's preference & my women's preference)
11. Hairbrush/comb (long hair & saltwater = nasty tangles)
12. Ocean-friendly SPF (I have a sun allergy & this is the one lotion that doesn't irritate my skin & is ocean-friendly)
13. Ziplock Baggy with wet, clean washcloth (this was amazing to use on our faces after swimming for hours in the saltwater!)

• The sea life is not as dense as it used to be - just like any location in the ocean that becomes a popular area sadly, the coral dies off, and the sea critters disappear as well. Yes, you will see sea life as you snorkel, but unfortunately, it isn't as good as it used to be.

As I said before, Little Bay is very secluded, and most likely, you will have the entire beach to yourself. But do keep in mind, if you go snorkeling, be aware of your surroundings & watch for the incoming boat traffic. They very rarely pull up to the beach and tend to anchor closer to the rock where you would jump off. So, snorkel with caution and keep an eye out for incoming boats. 

 4. Explore the larger resorts & their restaurants/amenities - Don't be afraid to explore the resorts on the island, especially the larger resorts. Most of the larger resorts have excellent restaurants and bars open to the public, & not to mention you can get access to their Spa & onsite shops. These larger resorts typically have a guard & and a gate at the front entrance. They will let you in if you tell them you are headed to one of the restaurants or lounges. We suggest checking out these resorts:

• Four Seasons Anguilla - If you didn't know, Four Seasons Anguilla was where Nate & I stayed on our first visit to Anguilla (watch our resort tour here). We suggest checking out the Sunset Lounge for a cocktail & dinner, along with some live entertainment (typically on a nightly basis). Also, check out the Half Shell Beach Bar & the Bamboo Bar & Grill for a late lunch or early dinner. You can also book an appointment with their incredible Spa team!
• Belmond Cap Juluca - Also, on our first visit to Anguilla, Nate & I got an entire resort tour of the Belmond Cap Juluca as well (watch our resort tour here) & WOWZA! We suggest checking out the Cap Shack for a late lunch or early dinner & Uchu for lunch or dinner & also expect some live entertainment. 
• Zemi Beach House - On our most recent stay, we decided to change it up a bit & we stayed here over the week of July 4th (click here for a quick snapshot). Every Wednesday, they have a MASSIVE all-you-can-eat cookout & it was delicious! Along with this unique all-you-can-eat meal, they also are home to two very distinct amenities that you will NOT be able to find on the rest of the island, a Rhum Room & a Thai House Spa.
• Aurora Anguilla - I'll be honest, we have not explored Aurora Anguilla, but they do seem to have the one thing on the island that no other resort has... a Golf Course! Here is the direct link if you want to make a request for a tee time while on vacation in Anguilla (do this well in advance!).

1. IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL TO ANGUILLA? This is one of the SAFEST tropical islands we have ever traveled to (day & night). But we know it's always best to double-check! If traveling from the USA, check the travel information HERE to ensure no warnings on the Anguilla Travel Advisory website. Since we are on the subject of safety, if you're looking for travel insurance, we always use Travel Insurance Masters. Click HERE to get a quick free quote (you should see my name - Ashley Broders - in the top left corner)

2. HOW DO YOU GET TO ANGUILLA? There are two primary ways to get to Anguilla: you can either fly directly into Anguilla or fly to Sint Maarten (SXM) & catch a water vessel over to Anguilla. 

• Getting To Anguilla From Sint Maarten/Saint Martin - Most visitors choose to fly into Sint Maarten (SXM) & then either catch a ferry, a privately chartered boat (request a transfer) or a private air charter to Anguilla. There are multiple private companies that you can get a transfer from, but the majority of visitors use the Sint Maarten Public Ferry, which can be found across from the Princess Juliana Airport (SXM). Keep in mind that there are 2 ferry terminals, & if you are flying into SXM, the fastest & easiest terminal will be the Sint Maarten Ferry Terminal (Dutch side). The second ferry terminal is about 10 minutes from SXM, known as the Marigot Ferry Terminal in Saint Martin (French side). Here are five essential details that you should know: 

1. You will go through 2 sets of customs & immigration before you reach your final destination in Anguilla. So be sure to have your passports readily available & on hand upon your arrival to Sint Maarten (we use this small over-the-shoulder travel bag for passports, travel docs, & phones)
2. Expect to pay 2 sets of departure tax & terminal/security fees on top of your 'crossing fee' - the first is when you depart Sint Maarten to get to Anguilla & the second is when you leave Anguilla to return to Sint Maarten. Make sure to have cash on hand, just in case they aren't accepting cards. Your main 'crossing fee' can range from $30-$75 per person & your additional 'fees' can range from $15-$30 per person
3. The waters can be VERY rough, so if you don't have your 'sealegs', be sure to take some Dramamine at least 30 minutes before you board your boat. 
4. Ferry's typically depart every 30-45 minutes (starting at 9 am) & the ferry ride from Sint Maarten to Anguilla (& vice versa) can take about 25-35 minutes to cross the ocean. Click here for the Sint Maarten departure times (nearest SXM), here for the Saint Martin Marigot departure times, & here for the Anguilla Blowing Point Terminal departure times. Try to book in advance if possible, but don't panic if you can't book early. Just be sure to arrive at the terminals as early as possible to ensure a ride in a timely manner.
5. Remember that you will be lugging around your luggage the entire time, so try to be mindful of how many bags you carry around with you. We typically stick to 1 backpack per person (considered a 'personal item') & 1 carry-on-sized bag per person. If you need more 'space', consider using these compression packing cubes to help with creating more room in your bag.

• Flying Direct To Anguilla - We have traveled to Anguilla (both of our trips) by flying direct to Anguilla (AXA). In my opinion this is the fastest way, but it can also be a bit risky because there aren't as many flight directly to Anguilla & it may cost a little more. Also, getting thru security and immigration only takes about 10 minutes (huge bonus)! The airport is very small, and can only receive certain sized planes at the moment, which is why the majority of visitors fly into St Maarten (SXM). Be warned, if you fly into AXA direct from Miami, American Airlines consistently has issues, such as THIS one when we flew direct. Also a side note: if you are flying out of AXA, be sure to eat before you get to the airport. There is a small cafe, but nothing else once you get thru security in preperation for your flight home. 

3. WHAT IS THE CURRENCY IN ANGUILLA? The currency in Anguilla is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$). However, US dollars are also widely accepted. I suggest downloading the US Dollar to East Caribbean Dollar app to your phone, and then you can have an exact conversion. Also, be sure to carry cash on you, not just a card. Major stores & resorts will have a credit card machine, but if you go to these smaller restaurants & shops, most only take cash. Also, the GAS STATIONS ONLY ACCEPT CASH! So if you plan to rent a car, make sure you have cash to get fuel!

4. WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW BEFORE GOING TO ANGUILLA? I go over these specific details in THIS short video, but here is a few things I think are worth mentioning:

• Renting a car in Anguilla (we suggest renting for at least 2 or 3 days)- If your are renting a car in Anguilla (check rates here), here are a few things to know: (1) You will have to purchase a temporary drivers license, 3 days for $15 or 3 months for $25. Essentially, whomever you rent the car from, they will do this paperwork with you. (2) You can either pre-book a car or wait until you arrive at your hotel & evaluate how many days you want a car for. Your hotel can call a rental company & the rental company will bring the car to you & pick it up after you are finished. (3) Be prepared to drive on the left side of the road in Anguilla. If you are not used to this, at first it will take a minute to get used to, but after that, it's pretty easy. (4) Most of the roads are dirt, besides the one main road that circles around the island. Also, very few of the roads have road signs/names. So if you are looking for a specific restaurant down on one of Anguilla's 33 beaches, it will most likely be down a dirt road that looks like a dead end, but just keep going, you will find it! (5) Anguilla has 6 gas stations & the one we went to ONLY TOOK CASH! So, be sure to have cash on hand just in case they don't accept card.
• Anguilla has 2 taxes that total to an amount of 28%. So, just as a heads up, be aware of the additional tax that you will be paying for nearly everything that you purchase. We may sound like lushes after I say this, but it was MUCH cheaper to purchase our alcohol from the grocery store. And if you are considering doing the same, we suggest going to Albert's Marketplace & Wholesale for your bulk items & alcholic beverages. And if you are wanting a MUCH larger grocery selection, check out Best Buy West, which is closest to Four Seasons Anguilla.
• Before you travel back home, you will pay a $28 departure tax (per person)

5. DOWNLOAD THESE APPS before leaving home (unless you have an unlocked phone or a  an International plan)

• WhatsApp - In every country we have traveled to, we noticed this was the app we used the most! This has been the best way to communicate to other people (especially the locals) via wifi, without getting charged for roaming services!
• US Dollar to East Caribbean Dollar - This is an exchange rate calculator for the Anguilla currency (and other Caribbean countries)
• Maps.me or download Google maps for an offline map - download before leaving your home! While exploring Anguilla, this was a HUGE HELP! There is one main paved road that circles the island with all the other connecting roads that are primarily dirt & have NO NAMES on them! So, haveing a gps or map of some sort is a HUGE help, especiallly if you are trying to find a certain restaurant along the beach, which is down a road with no name.
• Netflix - download whatever series/movie you are watching to your phone while connected to strong wifi & watch without an internet connection... great for the plane ride!
• Your Airlines app - For instance, we flew with American Airlines (we are not fans because of THIS incident) & downloaded their app. This will allow you to get checked in, see your gate & flight details, and your boarding pass, and it should send you updates for delays & cancelations. 

6. WHAT IS THE BEST MONTH TO VISIT ANGUILLA? This is a bit of a loaded question, but in my honest opinion, we suggest going during the 'low/end season' for Anguilla. We personally enjoy traveling to Anguilla between the last week of June to the end of July. Let me try to break it down a bit more, because traveling to Anguilla isn't like traveling to the United States, where everything is open all year around and where the 'seasons' make a HUGE difference:

• Anguilla's dry season (also known to be the 'high' season & MUCH higher rates) is from December to April. During this time, the weather is sunny and clear, with an average temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit. The humidity is also low, making it a comfortable time to be outdoors. But again, keep in mind that rates will be inflated during this time of year. Check rates yourself here to get an idea.
• Anguilla's wet season is from May to October, and the humidity is heightened a bit more, with average temperatures of 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Now, I would say the likelihood of it raining on a consistent 'daily' basis is VERY rare unless of course, there is a nearby hurricane. Hurricane season typicallly can start as early as June to November, but again, this is VERY rare for Anguilla to get hit with a hurricane & the weather tends to offer sunny skies with the occasional rain here and there. Not to mention, rates will be lower during this time of year. With this being said, I think it's important to know that a majority of the smaller business & restaurants typically only open Thursdays - Sundays during this time of year. So make sure you are staying over a Thursday - Sunday, to experience that true local feel.

Basically, if you are looking for the best weather and the least amount of rain, then the best time to visit Anguilla is during the dry season, from December to April. However, if you are on a budget, then you may want to consider visiting during the wet season, from May to November. The prices for flights and accommodation are lower during this time, and the island is still beautiful, even if it rains a little bit more. 

7. PRINT OFF ALL YOUR TRAVEL INFORMATION & TAKE IT WITH YOU! Let's be honest... all your travel details will be on your phone & most of the time, this is how you will gain access to them, but trust me when I say... PAPER COPIES ARE A HUGE HELP, and here's WHY I suggest you print ALL your travel documents to take with you:

• Just in case your phone dies... you will not always conveniently be sitting next to a charging port... especially is you are waiting at the Anguilla airport, which I don't recall seeing ANY chargers in the one tiny waiting area. Do what we do... make sure your portable charger is nearby!
• No access to the internet/wifi... and I'm primarily talking about while walking in/out of customs, on the airplane, or in transit to/from your resort. Plus, don't try to depend on the wifi at the Anguilla airport, just take my word for it!
• If your resort/hotel can't find your reservation or they want proof... we have been lucky so far and have never had to deal with this, but I have heard horror stories. If you have your printed documentation & you need to show them proof of payment & the confirmation numbers, you are better off with the paper document!
• When filling out any airline documentation or going thru immigration... having quick access to your destination information is vital.... and most of the time, this is when your phone is dead, lol

QUICK TIP: Take screenshots of your travel details as well! This has ALWAYS served us well for obvious reasons, especially when we need the travel details fast!

QUICK TIP #2: We use THIS small over-the-should bag specifically for our documents, passports & phones

8. PACK A FEW SNACK ITEMS & A REFILLABLE WATER BOTTLE FOR YOUR FLIGHT... 

I don't know about you, but as soon as we step foot into the airport, we see all the snacks & beverages, then end up paying double for a Snickers bar, Pringles & water 🤦‍♀️ and then do it AGAIN while ON THE FLIGHT 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️ Don't be like us 😂

QUICK TIP: Most airlines allow you to have a free personal item (purse/backpack) & after flying a bazillion times, I found there are specific items that will come in handy to have immediate access to vs being in your carry-on luggage up above your head. These items are:

• Cell phone
• Pen (black or blue) 
• Portable charger, charging cord & cube
• Headphones with a 'regular' old school jack (not wireless) to listen to the TVs on the plane (if your plane offers it)... they might sell you crummy headphones if you didn't bring any, & if you are not sitting in first class
• Light sweater - the plane gets very cool during transit
• Snacks 
• Laptop/tablet (make sure it's fully charged!)
• Book or other paperback entertainment
• Sanitizer or wipes for your tray