Anguilla
Located in the Eastern Caribbean, Anguilla is known for its 5-star dining, coral reefs, culture and heritage but is well known for its postcard perfect beaches. Thirty-three beaches to be exact and they are all as beautiful as they are diverse. Many have been ranked the world’s best on numerous occasions.
With an embargo on cruise ships, casinos and high-rise hotels, Anguilla is a Caribbean sanctuary offering peace and serenity and much welcomed by visitors to the island. With warm, translucent waters, reaching 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and silky soft sand the island is a haven for all beach enthusiasts!
Anguilla’s renowned accommodations ranging from five-star to charming Airbnb properties, world-class beaches, delicious cuisine, and trademark hospitality ensure the destination remains top-of-mind for travellers seeking the complete Caribbean experience. With a robust offering of both aquatic excursions and spa treatments, the list of reasons to visit Anguilla is long indeed…and is only set to grow longer.
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Sustainable tourism continues to be a growing area of interest for both travellers and destinations. Anguilla is taking its commitment to protecting its environment and ecosystems seriously and doing it in a way that engages and educates its visitors! To this end, the National Trust – an organization dedicated to stewarding Anguilla’s cultural and environmental heritage – is offering a series of sustainable tours in the new year. Explore uninhabited Sombrero Island, patrol sea turtle habitats, and participate in an authentic Anguillian art workshop. As a nonprofit organization, the National Trust uses the funds from these excursions to further its conservation causes. Visit our website
Dining
Travelling is about experiencing and embracing new cultures, and there is no better way to fully immerse yourself while on vacation than through local food. Gastronomic tourism has become immensely popular in recent years and has become the main motivation for travellers when choosing a destination. Even if gastronomy isn’t the main reason for your trip to paradise, we promise Anguilla’s dining will leave your taste buds wanting more. With more than 100 fine dining and local restaurants, Anguilla is an epicurean’s delight. We want you to not just see Anguilla, we want to truly savour it.
Quick Facts
Languages spoken: English
Banking: There are multiple ATMs; the international bank is the Republic Bank (they have an ATM)
Currency: Eastern Caribbean (EC) dollar, but the USD is widely used
Climate: from 24C to 31C
Electricity: 110V – no adaptors are required.
Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time. Anguilla does not observe Daylight Savings Time thus Anguilla is ahead of Eastern Standard Time by one hour in the winter, and observes the same time zone as EST during the summer. (GMT -4)
Driving: Driving is on the left-hand side of the road. Bring your valid Canadian driver’s license; a temporary Anguillian driver’s license will also be required (cost is $15 USD valid for 72 hours). A 3 month license for longer stays can be purchased for $25 USD.
Activities
Imagine yourself on the stunning Caribbean island of Anguilla, where pure white sands, beaches and crystal-clear waters await. Of course, Anguilla offers watersports galore including snorkeling and diving, kayaking (even nighttime kayaking!), sport fishing; windsurfing, kitesurfing and paddle boarding. Want to horseback ride on the beach – we have that too as well as bird watching!
We recommend experiencing one of our many walking tours which include historical and cultural sites and even cooking classes. Visit fascinating art galleries offering an eclectic mixture of Caribbean artistry with work from driftwood sculptures to contemporary paintings and prints from local and pan-Caribbean artists.
Offering something a little different from a traditional day on the beach, a little bit of caving may be just the experience you need to make your vacation truly unforgettable. Anguilla boasts a wealth of caves scattered all over the island that are worth exploring – so back those hiking boots.
Golf at our Greg Norman-designed, championship course…or play tennis at many of our lighted courts.
And make sure you take time to relax in one of our many spas….then enjoy our nighttime activities! Learn more
Travel Essentials
- Flight Info
- Entry Requirements
- Long Stays
- Getting Married
- Local Events
- Medical
- Accessiblity
- Brochures
- Sustainability
Flight Information
Just off the beaten path, Anguilla is the northernmost island of the Leeward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean. Anguilla is easily accessible via flights from North America or by ferry from one of the neighbouring islands.
Canadian flights to St. Maarten: After clearing customs & immigration, you are met and transported across the street to the St. Maarten Ferry Terminal for a 20-25 minute boat ride to Blowing Point Terminal in Anguilla.
In high season, Air Canada, WestJet, Sunwing and Transat fly multiple times per week from Toronto. Air Canada and Sunwing offer direct non-stop flights from Montreal as well.
In low season, WestJet continues to offer direct, non-stop flights from Toronto, 2 to 3 times per week.
Should visitors not wish to take a boat ride to Anguilla, there are short 7 minute flights available with both Anguilla Air Services and TransAnguilla Air.
Canadians can also fly via Miami (with AA connections to Anguilla), via Antigua (with TransAnguilla or Anguilla Air Services connections to Anguilla), via Puerto Rico (with Seaborne Airlines or Tradewind Aviation – just a one hour flight to Anguilla).
Anguilla’s airport, Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport (AXA), welcomes many private planes as well as private charter flights.
For details on other flights into Anguilla, click HERE.
Entry Requirements for Canadians
Canadians do not require visas for stays up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the date you expect to leave Anguilla. You may be asked to present a return or onward ticket.
For visitors staying past 90 days, visit eVisitAnguilla to apply for a visa. Multiple entry and single entry options are available.
For additional information, consult your Travel Advisor or The Government of Canada’s Entry and Exit Requirements: English / French
Getting Married
For romance, barefoot elegance and untrammeled bliss, Anguilla is truly beyond extraordinary. It is the premier destination for destination weddings and honeymoons.
A special license that costs $284 USD is required to get married on Anguilla, which takes just 48 hours to process; this is also the minimum residency requirement.
- Couples wishing to marry on the island should obtain a Marriage License from the Judicial Department, open weekdays between 8:30am and 2:30pm.
- Both parties must present proof of identity (valid passport, birth certificate etc).
- If divorced, the original decree must be presented. If documents are not in English, a certified translation along with the original certificate in the foreign language must be presented.
- Two witnesses must be present during the wedding ceremony.
- If a spouse from a previous marriage is deceased, the original death certificate must be presented and a certified copy in English.
- If parties are under the age of 18, consent must be presented..
- A 48-hour residence period is also required for both parties.
Additional requirements for a wedding in a Catholic church:
- Confirmation papers
- Baptismal certificate
- Freedom to marry papers
- Pre Cana course
- 3-6 months advance notice
For symbolic ceremonies:
Many couples (including same-sex couples) choose to get legally married in their home country and then hold a symbolic ceremony in Anguilla on the beach, or at a restaurant or resort.
Cultural/Annual Events
Although proud of their British history, Anguillians are also proud of their African heritage and culture with a strong influence on faith, family and festive celebrations.
Boat racing is a national pastime and a passion, with events taking place throughout the year.
ACE (Anguilla Culinary Experience) is an annual culinary/epicurean festival event which is a fun event for foodies to enjoy. Talented chefs from Anguilla and around the world showcase the island’s rich history, creativity and fresh farm and sea-to-table ingredients through curated culinary experiences.
World-class musicians – Bankie Banx, Amalia Watty, Omari Banks for example, add to the vibrant music scene found in Anguilla. Moonsplash, held in March-April, is an amazing reggae music event at Dune Preserve on Rendezvous Bay. Learn more
PUBLIC AND/OR GOVERNMENT HOLIDAYS:
The Government of Anguilla observes the following holidays each year:
(Some services may be impacted with reduced hours, or there may be full closures on these days)
2026 Public Holidays
Thursday, January 1, 2026 – New Year’s Day
Monday, March 2, 2026 – James Ronald Webster Day
Friday, April 3, 2026 – Good Friday (Stores closed)
Sunday, April 5, 2026 – Easter Sunday
Monday, April 6, 2026 – Easter Monday
Friday, May 1, 2026 – Labour Day
Monday, May 25, 2026 – Whit Monday
Monday, June 1, 2026 – Anguilla Day
Monday, June 22, 2026 – King’s Birthday
Monday, August 3, 2026 – August Monday
Thursday, August 6, 2026 – August Thursday
Friday, August 7, 2026 – Constitution Day
Friday, December 18, 2026 – National Heroes and Heroines
Friday, December 25, 2026 – Christmas Day
Saturday, December 26, 2026 – Boxing Day
Medical & Dental Information
Princess Alexandra Hospital (public)
Open 24 hours
Address: The Valley, Anguilla
Phone: +1-264-497-2551
Hughes Medical Centre (private)
Open 8am to 4pm
Phone: +1-264-497-3053
Website: https://hughesmedical.com/
Clinics:
Valley Polyclinic: PH +1-264-497-2702
Western Polyclinic: PH +1-264-497-6421
Pharmacies:
Sun Eel Pharmacy (offers mostly French products) and Paramount Pharmacy are privately owned. The government pharmacy attached to the Valley Health Centre, are strictly rx pharmaceuticals and requires prescriptions.
EMERGENCY DENTAL SERVICES:
Connor Dental Center: PH 264-498-1212
Oasis Smile Centre: PH 264-497-6333
FOR DIVERS:
Divers should be aware that there is no hyperbaric chamber. If you require treatment for decompression illness you will have to go to Saba or St. Kitts.
Accessiblity
Please ensure that your airline is aware of any special needs travel prior to departure from Canada.
Airport Services
Clayton J. Lloyd Airport (AXA):
- Accessible parking in the short-term parking lots
- Accessible restrooms with wheelchair access are placed throughout the terminals
- Wheelchair Assistance: available at the airline counters
- Elevators, escalators and ramps are available
Blowing Point Ferry Terminal
Ferries and charter boat services transfer visitors from the island of Saint Martin to Anguilla (ferry from Marigot, French St. Martin; charter boats from Princess Juliana, Dutch St. Maarten). Services available at the ferry terminal include:
- Accessible restrooms
- Ramps
For Accessibility information at hotels located in Anguilla please consult the hotel’s individual websites.
Sustainability
Sustainability Commitment
This secluded gem, once the tropical refuge of choice for celebrities, has become an accessible, inviting eco-adventure haven. This achievement is the product of a robust, island-wide commitment to supporting sustainability initiatives big and small across the 91 km island. What exactly does this commitment look like? At a glance, it involves:
- Top-Down Programmes: In Anguilla, sustainability starts at the top. The Government of Anguilla has been instrumental in leading the charge by joining the Blue Belt Initiative and passing legislation to support marine protection. They’ve also launched the Environmental Stewardship Program, which empowers and incentivizes tourism businesses to operate sustainability.
- Keeping the Island Green (and Blue): The Anguilla National Trust works tirelessly to preserve and develop Anguilla’s green spaces, monitor its turtles, and protect its other native species, supporting its work with guided tours. The Anguilla Renewable Energy Advisory Service is boldly leading the island toward decarbonization.