Ask anyone who has visited Anguilla what their single best memory was, and Sandy Island comes up more than almost anywhere else. It is not a resort. It is not even a proper island. It is a narrow crescent of brilliant white sand rising just above the waterline, surrounded by water so clear and so impossibly blue that photographs of it look like they've been colour-corrected. They haven't. That's just how it looks.
Sandy Island sits inside a National Park, about a mile off Sandy Ground on Anguilla's west coast. The crossing takes less than ten minutes. And yet stepping onto its beach feels like the rest of the world has ceased to exist.
What Sandy Island Actually Is
Sandy Island is a protected National Park — a small, undeveloped sandbar with no permanent structures beyond the beach bar and a few palm trees. There is no accommodation, no plumbing, no electricity grid. What there is: one of the finest stretches of sand in the Caribbean, water shallow and calm enough to walk 30 metres from shore and still be standing comfortably, and a snorkelling reef a short swim away.
The island is roughly 200 metres long at its widest and is completely encircled by sand and sea. On one side the water is millpond-calm and waist-deep for a long stretch — perfect for floating and swimming. On the reef side, the water drops off into deeper turquoise and the coral starts. Parrotfish, sergeant majors, angelfish, and the occasional sea turtle are common sightings.
How to Get to Sandy Island
There is no road to Sandy Island. The only way to reach it is by boat — and that is part of its appeal.
Water Taxi
A water taxi runs from Sandy Ground beach throughout the day. The crossing takes 5–10 minutes and the roundtrip fare is approximately $20–25 USD per person. No booking required — you can simply walk to the beach and wait for the next boat. Perfect for a spontaneous morning visit.
Cash only · Runs roughly 9am–5pm
Private Boat Charter
A private captained charter gives you full flexibility — depart when you like, stay as long as you want, and add Prickly Pear Cay to the itinerary in the same day. Snorkelling gear, soft drinks, water, beers, and light snacks included. From $2,000 for the whole boat (up to 8 guests).
Includes captain & crew · All supplies
The Sandy Island Beach Bar
Sandy Island's beach bar is the kind of place that feels like it shouldn't exist but somehow does — a palm-thatch open-air bar sitting right on the sand, serving cold Carib beers, rum punches, and frozen cocktails to people with wet feet and nowhere to be. It is, by any measure, one of the best bars in the Caribbean.
Food is available — typically grilled fish and fresh lobster, caught locally and served simply. The menu is limited (cash only, no card machine), and quantities depend on what came in that morning. If you plan to eat lunch there, arrive by late morning before the popular items run out. Prices reflect the location — expect to pay $40–60 USD per person for a full lunch with drinks.
The bar operates roughly 9am–5pm daily, but it runs on island time — if it's a quiet day, it may open later or close earlier. When chartering a boat, your captain will know the current status.
Best Time to Visit Sandy Island
Early morning is the best time to visit Sandy Island — arrive by 9 or 10am before the day-trip boats from St Maarten begin arriving. By midday in peak season, the island can feel crowded relative to its size. Early visitors get the beach almost to themselves, the light is perfect for photographs, and the water is at its calmest.
Peak season runs December through April. The island is busy but the weather is reliably excellent — flat calm seas, minimal rain, temperatures in the mid-80s°F. Low season (May–November) sees far fewer visitors and lower prices overall, though summer afternoons can bring short tropical showers. Hurricane season is July–November; Sandy Island remains accessible except during actual storm events.
Sandy Island vs Prickly Pear Cay
Visitors often ask which is better. The honest answer is that they're different enough to be worth visiting both — and many boat charters combine them in a single full-day trip.
| Sandy Island | Prickly Pear Cay | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from Anguilla | ~1 mile (5–10 min) | ~5 miles (20–30 min) |
| Size | Tiny sandbar | Two larger cays |
| Beach bar | Yes (famous) | Yes (Prickly Pear Beach Bar) |
| Snorkelling | Good reef on one side | Excellent reef, more variety |
| Vibe | Intimate, laid-back | More dramatic, wilder |
| Water taxi access | Yes (from Sandy Ground) | Charter only |
What to Bring
- Cash in USD. The beach bar is cash-only. There is no ATM on Sandy Island or at Sandy Ground beach.
- Reef-safe sunscreen. The National Park waters are protected — standard chemical sunscreens containing oxybenzone are harmful to coral. Use mineral/reef-safe alternatives.
- Snorkelling gear. A mask and fins make an enormous difference. Water taxi visitors should bring their own; chartered boats supply gear as part of the service.
- A towel. Basic beach chairs are available to rent from the bar. The sand is fine enough that towels double as ground cover.
- A waterproof bag. The water taxi landing and departure involves stepping through shallow water. Keep your phone and valuables dry.
Your Own Boat. Your Own Day.
Charter a Private Boat to Sandy Island
Sandy Island and Prickly Pear Cay in one full day — snorkelling gear, drinks, snacks, and a captain who knows these waters better than anyone. Private charter from $2,000 for the whole boat. Shared trips from $200/person.
View Boat ChartersFrequently Asked Questions
How do you get to Sandy Island Anguilla?
By boat only. A water taxi runs from Sandy Ground beach (approx. $20–25 USD roundtrip, no booking required) and takes 5–10 minutes. You can also reach it via private boat charter, which gives you full flexibility and includes snorkelling gear and drinks.
Is Sandy Island Anguilla worth visiting?
Yes — most visitors rate it among the best experiences of their entire Caribbean trip. The combination of protected National Park status, stunning turquoise water, world-class snorkelling, and a relaxed beach bar makes it genuinely exceptional.
Is there a bar on Sandy Island Anguilla?
Yes. The Sandy Island Beach Bar serves tropical cocktails, cold beers, and fresh grilled seafood including lobster. It is cash-only and operates approximately 9am–5pm. Arrive before noon for the best food selection.
What is the difference between Sandy Island and Prickly Pear Cay?
Sandy Island is closer (5–10 min from shore), smaller, and famous for its intimate atmosphere and beach bar. Prickly Pear Cay is larger, farther north (20–30 min by charter), and has more dramatic snorkelling. Many visitors do both in a single day on a private boat charter.