A First-Timer's Guide to Island Harbour, Anguilla
Visiting Island Harbour, Anguilla for the first time is simple once you know three things: fly into the island or take the ferry from St. Martin, plan on a car or driver, and stay in a villa elsewhere in East End. Island Harbour itself is a working fishing village, best enjoyed for its harbour, its boats and a slower island rhythm.
What to Expect in Island Harbour
Island Harbour is a fishing village set around a sheltered harbour on Anguilla's north-eastern coast. Brightly painted wooden boats are moored in the bay, and the village has the easy, lived-in feel of a place that has always faced the sea. Boat racing is Anguilla's national sport, and that maritime heritage is easy to feel here.
First-timers should set expectations accordingly. This isn't a resort strip. It's a real community, and the pleasure lies in a long lunch by the water, a walk along the shore and watching the boats come and go.
Getting There: Flights to Anguilla and the Ferry
For anyone still asking where is Anguilla: it's a small, flat island in the northern Leeward Islands, a British Overseas Territory just north of St. Martin. There are two main ways in.
- Fly into Anguilla. Flights to Anguilla land at Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport, on the edge of The Valley. Our East End listings place it a short drive away: 6.6 kilometers from Alkera and 6.1 kilometers from Tequila Sunrise.
- Fly into St. Martin and cross by sea. Many visitors land at Princess Juliana International Airport on St. Martin and take a ferry or private boat to Blowing Point, on Anguilla's south coast. Our listings put Blowing Point 13 to 13.7 kilometers from these East End homes.
Either way, we can arrange your transfer. Tequila Sunrise even lists a meet and greet at the airport or ferry among its services.
Getting Around East End
You'll want wheels. Anguilla has no cruise ship port and no large public transport network, so most of our guests rent a car or book a driver for the length of their stay. Anguilla drives on the left, which takes a day or so to feel natural.
East End is spread out, with homes set well apart. A car lets you move between Island Harbour, the snorkeling beach at Shoal Bay East and the shops of The Valley on your own schedule. If you'd rather not drive at night, a driver for dinner evenings is easy for our concierge to arrange.
How Long to Stay, and What to Plan Ahead
For a first visit, we suggest a week. That gives you time to settle into an East End rhythm, explore Island Harbour, and still spend a day or two on the western beaches.
A few things we'd plan before you travel:
- Choose your dates early. December through April is the busiest period on Anguilla, and our East End collection is small.
- Know the season. Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, so we talk through timing with anyone travelling then.
- Arrange arrival in advance. Decide between flying in and the ferry, and let us set up the transfer.
- Plan your dining. Some nights you'll want to cook, some you'll want dinner arranged at the villa, and some you'll want to drive out.
- Book a boat day. Island Harbour is a maritime village at heart, and a day on the water is a fitting way to see it.
Where First-Timers Stay Near Island Harbour
Our Island Harbour page doesn't list any homes, so first-timers usually choose a villa elsewhere in East End. None of the three below is in Island Harbour, and our listings don't give a distance to the village, so plan on a drive.
Alkera sits in the Turtle Cove neighbourhood of Shoal Bay East, according to our listing, with Shoal Bay East Beach 1.1 kilometers away. It has a heated pool, furnished terraces with ocean views, a gym, an outdoor kitchen and an office with a sea view. Twice-daily housekeeping and laundry service are part of its service list.
For couples, Tequila Sunrise is an oceanfront home on Long Pond Bay, according to our listing, with an infinity pool and sunrise views. The closest beach is listed at 170 meters, and a daily continental breakfast can be arranged.
On Sandy Hill Bay, Bird of Paradise is listed as beachfront, with a short path down to the sand. Two heated pools, an outdoor fireplace and a wet bar make it a natural fit for luxury villa holidays with friends or family.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Island Harbour, Anguilla?
Most visitors fly into Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport, or fly into St. Martin and take the ferry to Blowing Point. From either point, a rental car or private driver takes you across the island to East End. We can arrange the transfer for you.
Do I need a car in Island Harbour?
Yes, a car or driver makes life much easier. East End is spread out, and Anguilla drives on the left. Many guests rent a car for the week and book a driver for evenings out.
Are there villas in Island Harbour?
Our Island Harbour page doesn't list any homes. Guests usually stay elsewhere in East End, at homes such as Alkera, Tequila Sunrise or Bird of Paradise.
Visiting Island Harbour, Anguilla Without the Guesswork
Visiting Island Harbour, Anguilla works best as part of a wider East End stay: a quiet villa, a car, and time to slow down. Whether you base yourself at Alkera near Shoal Bay East, Tequila Sunrise on Long Pond Bay or Bird of Paradise on Sandy Hill Bay, the village is part of the rhythm of your week.
Every one of our luxury holiday villas is personally inspected, and we check each home again before you arrive. Start with our Island Harbour and Anguilla pages, and when you're ready, we're here.
Our Destinations
