Tucked away in the Northeastern Caribbean lies the inviting, intriguing and truly incomparable Caribbean island of Anguilla.
The British Overseas Territory, renowned for its powder-white beaches, turquoise waters, culinary scene helmed by some of the Caribbean’s most talented chefs, and outstanding accommodation, lies refreshingly off the beaten path. Anguilla has enjoyed bumper visits in 2023, with tourist arrivals up 20% on last year, putting it on track to exceed the previous record set in 2019.
Across the island, that success is evident in a flurry of investment by resorts, hotels and villas in expanded amenities and experiences, and by airlines forging new partnerships to ease access from the UK and the USA. With the island’s original and iconic luxury hotel, Malliouhana, celebrating its 40th anniversary, as well as the Anguilla Summer Festival, aka: Carnival, turning 50 years old, 2024 is an unbeatable time to visit.
Aurora Anguilla, located on beautiful Rendezvous Bay, is slated to open its new Entertainment Park in late 2023, complete with a world-class tennis centre, pickleball courts, climbing wall, beach volleyball, clay bocce and basketball courts, a 9-hole mini golf course, and a stunning family-friendly pool complex. Elsewhere on the resort, accommodations feature spacious suites, multi-bedroom villas and estate home options in the resort’s Merrywing Bay area, perfect for larger families or groups traveling together.
Home to Anguilla’s only golf courses, there is also a new clubhouse for the 9-hole Avalon Links short course which opened in November 2022, to complement the redeveloped Greg Norman-designed 18-hole International Course. Kokoon Villas is a private enclave of 6 two- and three-bedroomed homes overlooking the Caribbean Sea and the hills of St. Maarten.
The new properties, which are currently in construction, will be fully powered by solar energy and include rainwater collection, water treatment and filtration systems. ÀNI Private Resorts’ two existing villas overlooking Little Bay are also set to be joined by an additional 15-suite estate on Shoal Bay Beach, due to open in 2024.
The new Cap Juluca Spa by Guerlain is set to open at Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel in Spring 2024. The new US$8 million spa facility is inspired by the Arawak Indians, Anguilla’s earliest inhabitants, who celebrated the renewal and rejuvenation of each new day and will offer a full menu of exclusive Guerlain treatments.
At Four Seasons Resort & Residences, wellness specialist Melissa Fox will be offering her signature facials during her residency from December 17 – 22, 2023, while Stefanie DiLibero, founder of the legendary Gotham Wellness in New York City, will be in residence from December 26 - January 1, 2024. On the culinary front, famed TV personality and celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian will take over SALT, their signature main restaurant, from December 19 – 22, 2023.
The island’s reputation as the ultimate culinary destination in the Caribbean remains unchallenged. The third annual Anguilla Culinary Experience (ACE) will take place from May 23 – 26, 2024, where international guest chefs will work alongside local chefs across four days of parties, dinners, barbeques and tastings at various resorts and restaurants.
Anguilla’s grande dame, Malliouhana, celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2024. A new wine program is on offer, led by James Beard award-winning sommelier Shelley Lindgren, offering elevated wine experiences at each of Malliouhana’s signature dining concepts.
Local restaurants continue to be among the most popular dining spots. Tasty’s POV, overlooking Sandy Ground and led by chef Dale Carty, has expanded its menu to include sushi, alongside his signature menu using the finest fresh and local ingredients and flavors served in colourful and traditional Caribbean surroundings.
At Arawak Beach Club Mediterranean-inspired tapas is now on the menu at their new eatery, Arawak’s Taverna. With indoor and outdoor tables, diners will enjoy dinner with a view of Island Harbour, followed by cocktails around the firepit. In addition to the return of ACE in May 2024, a host of established annual festivals will be taking place in 2024.
Island legend Bankie Banx will be bringing Moonsplash music festival back to the iconic Dune Preserve beach bar from March 22 – 24, 2024. The lineup is yet to be confirmed, but with the likes of Maxi Priest, the FAB 5 Band and Big Mountain among recent headliners, it's sure to be another memorable weekend.
The island will be celebrating 50 years of carnival with Summer Festival 2024, taking place from August 1 – 11, 2024. The island will be a kaleidoscope of colour for ten solid days of non-stop festivities ranging from the J’Ouvert parade set to a soundtrack of soca music, to the spectacular Parade of Troupes, calypso competitions, beach barbecues and the Miss Anguilla pageant.
Anguilla’s new Blowing Point Ferry Terminal opened in January 2023, welcoming travelers arriving by private charter and public ferry. While the island does not permit cruise ships to dock, construction is also set to commence on Anguilla’s first yacht marina in December 2024 to expand its welcome to those arriving by smaller marine craft.
For travellers arriving by air, Phase Two of the expansion of Clayton J Lloyd International Airport is well underway, with build of a new Cargo Facility starting in November 2023. The third phase will comprise a new terminal, slated to begin construction in January 2024, and the final stage will be a runway expansion to accommodate larger aircraft.
A new FBO terminal operated by Lloyds Aviation Services is slated to open in 2024, and over at the Princess Juliana International Airport in St. Maarten, a key gateway for Anguilla, the new Departure Hall and expanded Check-In Hall are both scheduled to open this winter. It’s easier than ever for US travellers to access Anguilla this winter. American Airlines is currently operating daily direct flights from Miami International (MIA) to Anguilla (AXA), with two flights on Saturdays, and increasing to twice-daily service from December 20, 2023 through the summer of 2024.
For travellers from the New York area, the Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club is offering charter service flights direct to the island from the Westchester County Airport (HPN). The Aurora Charter Air Service will operate from mid-December through April 2024, and is available to Aurora guests as well as travelers to and from Anguilla who are not staying at the resort.
Intra-regional service has also expanded with new routes between Anguilla, Antigua and St. Barths. Anguilla Air Services (www.anguillaairservices.com) is operating scheduled flights between Anguilla (AXA) and Antigua (ANU) three times per week on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday, from November 3, 2023 until April 2024.
In October 2023, Tradewind Aviation announced a codeshare with British Airways to offer interline booking. Flights between Antigua (ANU) and Anguilla (AXA) will operate from mid-January 2024 to early April, on Saturdays and Sundays. The carrier will also run a scheduled service from St Barths to Anguilla three times per week between January 18 and April 8, 2024, while their regular scheduled service from San Juan (SJU) to Anguilla will operate five days a week from December 14 through April 8, 2024.
