A First-Timer's Guide to Little Harbour, Anguilla
Little Harbour, Anguilla, is a quiet stretch of the island's south coast, looking across the water to St. Martin. For a first visit, the essentials are simple: arrive through St. Martin or by a connecting flight, keep a car or driver for the week, and choose a home with the sea in front of it. The rest is about pace.
This guide covers the practical side of a first stay in Little Harbour: getting there, getting around, how long to stay and what to settle before you fly.
Where Is Anguilla, and Where Is Little Harbour?
Anguilla is a low, flat coral island in the northern Leeward Islands, a British Overseas Territory just north of St. Martin. Its character comes from its small scale: no high-rises, no cruise port and a strong sense of local life.
Little Harbour lies in Mid Isle, the island's central district, on the south-facing shore. The homes here look across the channel to the hills of St. Martin, which is the defining view of the area. The famous white-sand beaches sit mostly on the north and west coasts, so think of Little Harbour as a residential base rather than a beach strip.
Getting There: Flights to Anguilla and the Boat Crossing
First-timers usually have two ways in, and both are easy once you know them:
- Through St. Martin. Many international flights to Anguilla's region land at Princess Juliana International Airport on the Dutch side of St. Martin. From there, a short boat crossing brings you to the ferry terminal at Blowing Point on Anguilla's south coast.
- Straight into Anguilla. Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport receives smaller regional and connecting flights, which suit travelers who'd rather skip the boat.
Both arrival points work well for Little Harbour. According to our listings, Tigh na Mara is 3.5 kilometers from the airport and 6 kilometers from the Blowing Point ferry terminal, while Angel Point is 4.1 and 6.6 kilometers away. Our concierge can help arrange the transfer either way, so the hand-off from plane or boat to villa is simple.
Getting Around the Island
A car gives you the island on your own terms. Anguilla drives on the left, and the island is compact. If you'd rather not drive, our concierge can arrange a driver for dinners and beach days.
From Little Harbour, expect to drive to the north and west coast beaches. Our listing for Tigh na Mara puts Shoal Bay East Beach at 9.4 kilometers and Meads Bay Beach at 12 kilometers. That's part of the trade: you sleep on a quiet harbour and choose a different beach each day.
Two practical notes for a first trip: the local currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar, and US dollars are widely accepted across the island.
How Long to Stay in Little Harbour
A week is the comfortable first stay. It gives you a couple of days to settle into villa life, a few days for the north and west coast beaches, and time for one day on the water. Shorter trips work, but arriving through St. Martin adds a step, so a long weekend can feel rushed.
If you're combining Anguilla with another island, we'd still give Little Harbour at least five nights. The pace here is slow by design, and it takes a day or two to fall into it.
What to Plan Ahead
Most of a Little Harbour stay can be decided on the island, but a few things are better settled before you fly:
- Your villa. The drier months, roughly December through April, are the island's peak season, and the right home goes first.
- Arrival transfers. Tell us whether you're coming through St. Martin or flying direct, and we'll time the crossing or the pickup.
- A boat day. Offshore cays and snorkeling trips are among the island's highlights, and peak-season dates fill early.
- Dinner reservations. Anguilla's dining culture is a real draw, and popular tables on the west-end bays book up in the busy months.
- Your timing. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, which shapes when we suggest traveling.
Choosing Your First Villa in Little Harbour
Little Harbour is a place of individual homes rather than one long beachfront, so the villa sets the tone of the whole trip. Our Little Harbour page lists five luxury homes for rent, and these two show how different a first stay can feel.
For a contemporary, water-focused stay, look at Angel Point, a contemporary waterfront villa with a private heated pool, sun decks facing St. Martin and floor-to-ceiling sliding doors that open the living space to the sea air. Kayaks and paddleboards are on hand, along with a wet bar, a barbecue and covered outdoor dining. Daily housekeeping and a property manager are part of the listing, and the views face the sunrise.
For something with more old-island character, Tigh na Mara, Gaelic for "House by the Sea," is an oceanfront villa in classic West Indies style, with teal and white shutters, cedar paneling, wicker furnishings and screened terraces. It has a lap pool, a renovated chef's kitchen, media rooms and views of St. Martin from almost every room. Housekeeping is daily except Sundays and holidays.
Both are luxury holiday villa stays where the sea stays in view, and both make easy first bases for exploring the island.
Ready for Your First Little Harbour Stay
A first trip to Little Harbour, Anguilla, rewards a little planning and a lot of patience with the slower pace. Settle the villa, the transfer and a boat day, then let the rest unfold. Every home in our portfolio is personally inspected before it joins, and we check each villa again before you arrive.
Whether you picture yourself on the decks at Angel Point or the verandas of Tigh na Mara, our homes in Little Harbour are a good place to start, and the wider island waits on our Anguilla page. When you're ready, we're here.
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