Cruises to Anguilla

5 Reviews
Anguilla (Photo: Kristopher Kettner/Shutterstock)

About Cruising to Anguilla

A spindly spoke in the archipelago surrounding St. Maarten/St. Martin, Anguilla is a beach-lover's dream. Mile after mile of loamy, cream-white sand fringes this supine island, with tony resorts and high-end restaurants dotting the coastline. A relative newcomer on the cruise circuit, Anguilla is a terrific destination for beach- and resort-focused travelers, but cruise visitors looking for shopping, ziplines and jeep excursions might be left wanting.

If it all sounds a bit like nearby St. Barts, that's because Anguilla sparked to life in the years following the French island's emergence on the celebrity scene. They share a notable trait: Both islands are rocky and were unsuited for farming, which made for a hardscrabble existence, mostly devoid of the plantations that cropped up through most of the region. Like the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla remains a British overseas territory, but it probably owes a bit of its success to that Gallic neighbor, which provided inspiration for what a polished, swank beach destination could be. Because Anguilla took shape well after the initial arrival of tourists to the region, it escaped the mass development that coursed through most of the Caribbean in the 1960s and after.

Anguilla is a tender port and, for now, attracts only smaller ships (under 500 passengers). The island covers just 35 square miles but the population is less than 15,000, so you won't find yourself following in the footsteps of a bazillion other cruise visitors, much less fighting for your own patch of sand with the easygoing, exceedingly friendly Anguillians.

  • More about Anguilla

  • Why Cruise to Anguilla?

  • Anguilla Cruise Port Facilities?

Loading...

We found you 3 cruises

Loading...
Loading...
Cruise Critic Favorite
Seabourn Ovation
Seabourn Ovation (Photo: Seabourn Cruises)

21 Night
Antillean Treasures & Caribbean Sea

79 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • Fare Insight
Cruise Critic Favorite
Seabourn Ovation
Seabourn Ovation (Photo: Seabourn Cruises)

14 Night
Antillean Treasure Holiday

79 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • Fare Insight
Seabourn Ovation
Seabourn Ovation (Photo: Seabourn Cruises)

25 Night
Captivating Antillean Treasures

79 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • Fare Insight

More about Anguilla

Why Cruise to Anguilla?

Pros:

Possibly the Caribbean's finest collection of beaches, served with a side of fine dining.

Cons:

Scrubby, uninteresting landscape; limited activities beyond the sea and sand.

Bottom Line:

It's beach bum and foodie heaven and colorful island tours might leave you wanting more.

Anguilla Cruise Port Facilities?

Anguilla is a tender port, and you'll come ashore at Road Town, a small dock fronting a beach village known as Sandy Ground. Customs formalities are simple and straightforward.

Good to Know?

Like St. Barts, Anguilla draws A-list celebrities looking for upscale resorts packaging privacy and pampering. While many of them stay sequestered in their extravagant villas or by the resort pool, don't be surprised if you see Ellen DeGeneres, Paul McCartney and other Page Six types tooling around in a rental car in search of an under-the-radar lobster lunch.

Getting Around?

On Foot: While Anguilla is relatively flat and easy to navigate, there are few sidewalks and walking along dusty roads with little to no shade is no fun. If you want to explore on foot beyond Sandy Ground, get yourself to a long carpet of sand, like Rendezvous Bay or Shoal Bay, and enjoy a beach walk.

By Public Transportation: There is no public transportation connecting Sandy Ground with most beaches or sights.

By Taxi: Because of the limited services on Anguilla, taxis might be in short supply when you arrive. Budget $20 to $30 for a taxi for two to most points on the island; add $5 for each additional passenger. A two-hour island tour runs about $55.

By Rental Car: Since taxi fares can add up quickly, a rental car could be your best option if you want to really see the island. Be aware that you'll be driving on the left, and roads aren't always in great shape, but traffic is so light that these shouldn't be issues. There are few pedestrians along the roads, though goats do scamper about.

The supply of rental cars is limited, so you'll want to reserve a car in advance. Most vehicles will cost under $50 per day to rent. Andy's Rentals, Bryans Car Rental and Junie's Car Rental are among the options that provide online booking. You'll need to purchase an Anguilla driver's license, which is $25 for a three-month permit -- the rental car company will supply the paperwork and can process the application on the spot.

Currency & Best Way to Get Money?

Anguilla is a dual-currency island, and ATMs give you the option of receiving cash in US dollars or Eastern Caribbean (EC) dollars. Menu prices are in U.S. currency, so there's little reason to opt for EC dollars. There are no ATMs at Sandy Ground (where your ship will be docked); you'll need to go 3 miles away into The Valley, Anguilla's main settlement, to find a bank with an ATM. Credit cards are accepted at most island restaurants.

Language?

English is the language of Anguilla.


Anguilla Cruise Reviews
We stayed on the beach where the tender let us off, primarily because it was tough to get a taxi elsewhere. We got chairs at Elvis’ Beach Bar. The beach was beautiful and uncrowded with a small swimming area. Elvis’ Read More
User Avatar
Kakiwynn
Great stop with great beaches and beach restaurants. A great island, like the Caribbean probably was 40 years agoRead More
User Avatar
Misty Morning
We rented a taxi from the port and got dropped off at the long beautiful beach there. It was one of the most beautiful beaches I have seen. Read More
User Avatar
laurieha
This is a beautiful island. Great beaches and waters. We booked a tour through Calypso tours and the boat ride was awesome. Capt. Vince did a great job and were very knowledgeable. I would recommend them and will useRead More
User Avatar
REO

Related Cruises

Cruises to Newport

Cruises to Newport

261 Reviews
Cruises to Amsterdam

Cruises to Amsterdam

1,057 Reviews
Cruises to Rouen

Cruises to Rouen

121 Reviews
Cruises to Saint John (New Brunswick)

Cruises to Saint John (New Brunswick)

449 Reviews
Cruises to Kauai

Cruises to Kauai

628 Reviews
Cruises to Gdansk (Warsaw)

Cruises to Gdansk (Warsaw)

120 Reviews
Cruises to Marseille

Cruises to Marseille

936 Reviews
Cruises to Izmir

Cruises to Izmir

187 Reviews
Cruises to Adelaide

Cruises to Adelaide

106 Reviews
Cruises to Lima

Cruises to Lima

110 Reviews
Cruises to Rangiroa

Cruises to Rangiroa

30 Reviews
Cruises to Penang

Cruises to Penang

134 Reviews
Cruises to Phuket

Cruises to Phuket

149 Reviews
Cruises to Hakodate

Cruises to Hakodate

26 Reviews
Cruises to Picton

Cruises to Picton

165 Reviews
Cruises to Cinque Terre

Cruises to Cinque Terre

355 Reviews
Cruises to Bernkastel-Kues

Cruises to Bernkastel-Kues

37 Reviews
Cruises to Kinderdijk

Cruises to Kinderdijk

8 Reviews
Cruises to Dawson City (Yukon)

Cruises to Dawson City (Yukon)

Cruises to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve

Cruises to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve

290 Reviews

Get special cruise deals, expert advice, insider tips and more.By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

© 1995—2024, The Independent Traveler, Inc.