Things to do in Shoal Bay

Best time to visit Shoal Bay

• a note or something on   ✦ an occasion worth the trip

• December to April

  High season: best weather, calmest seas, highest prices; book everything ahead.

• May and June

  Shoulder; good weather, lower rates, quieter beaches.

• July and August

  Hotter, occasional tropical waves; still very visitable.

• September and October

  Peak hurricane season; some restaurants and hotels close. Watch forecasts closely.

• November

  Reopening month; good value as the season restarts.

What's on

• Anguilla Summer Festival late July to early August

  Boat racing, music, and beach parties around Emancipation Day.

• Festival del Mar Easter weekend

  Island Harbour's seafood festival in the fishing village.

Best things to do in Shoal Bay

• Shoal Bay East

  Free

  Two miles of white sand and calm water; the best shore snorkelling is off the eastern rocks.

• Island Harbour

  Free

  Working fishing village: painted boats, lobster traps, and the island's best-value seafood dinners.

• Scrub Island

  $$

  Private island off the eastern point with an empty beach and good snorkelling.

• Sandy Island

  $$

  Tiny sandbar island for a half-day of swimming and rum punch.

• Prickly Pear Cays

  $$$

  Uninhabited cays with turtles and rays; the classic full-day sail.

• Little Bay

  $$

  Boat-access-only cove with cliffs to jump from and caves to swim into.

• Crocus Bay

  Free

  Sheltered bay with calm water and the departure point for Little Bay boats.

• Shoal Bay West

  Free

  The quieter namesake beach on the Caribbean side; sand without the scene.

Best restaurants in Shoal Bay

• Madeariman Bar & Restaurant

  $$

  Beachfront favourite for seafood and pizza; the best-positioned tables on the sand.

• Gwen's Reggae Grill

  $$

  Caribbean grill with live reggae Sundays; order the painkiller and stay for the set.

• Tropical Sunset Restaurant & Bar

  $$

  Open-air beach lunches and dinners; reliable seafood and the namesake view.

• Elodias Beach Bar

  $$

  Laid-back beach bar for lunch, drinks, and long afternoons.

• Hank's

  $$

  Small beach bar and grill at the east end; burgers, ribs, cold beer.

• Ola's Bar and Grill

  $$

  Easy mid-beach lunch spot; grilled fish and rotis.

• 20 Knots

  $$$

  Upscale beach restaurant at Zemi: curry and seafood under string lights.

• Artisan

  $$$

  Italian restaurant in the fishing village; the dinner worth driving east for.

Outdoor things to do in Shoal Bay

• Big Spring

  $

  National Trust cave with pre-Columbian rock art; pair with the Fountain.

• Dog Island

  $$$

  Uninhabited island with excellent diving and snorkelling; pick a calm day.

Best hotels in Shoal Bay

• Zemi Beach House, LXR Hotels & Resorts

  $$$$

  Luxury pick on the beach: Thai House spa, Rhum Room, four restaurants.

• The Manoah Boutique Hotel

  $$$

  25-room boutique hotel on the beach with large terraces; polished and intimate.

• Shoal Bay Villas

  $$

  Apartment-style villas mid-beach; the practical pick for families and longer stays.

• Fountain Anguilla

  $$

  Intimate all-suite property near the east end; quiet and well run.

• Arawak Beach Inn

  $$

  The village's long-running small hotel, a short drive from the beach.

• Allamanda Beach Club

  $$

  Apartment-style rooms between the village and the beach.

• CeBlue Luxury Villas

  $$$$

  Villa resort on the Crocus Bay bluffs with clubhouse, spa, and concierge.

Is Shoal Bay expensive? What a day costs

A day of food, drink, sights and getting around, before the room

What to book ahead

• Scrub Island: a few days ahead
• Sandy Island: a few days ahead
• Prickly Pear Cays: a few days ahead
• Little Bay: a few days ahead
• The Fountain Cavern: a few days ahead
• Big Spring: a few days ahead
• Dog Island: a few days ahead
• Madeariman Bar & Restaurant: a few days ahead

• Prickly Pear and sunset sails: book a day or two ahead in high season
• Madeariman and Falcon's Nest dinners: reserve the same day at the latest in season
• Zemi Beach House: book rooms well ahead in winter

Is Shoal Bay safe?

• One of the safest islands in the Caribbean; crime is rare and mostly opportunistic theft. Lock rental cars, do not leave valuables on the beach. Swim inside the buoy lines on the Atlantic side. Emergency: 911.

Shoal Bay travel tips: tourist traps to skip

• 'Beachfront' rooms facing the road at some apartment properties; confirm the view
• Day-trip boats that overfill: ask the capacity before paying
• The ATM network goes down; bring USD cash as backup

Getting around Shoal Bay: public transport and more

• Rent a car to eat beyond Shoal Bay; driving is on the left
• Taxis are unmetered; agree the fare first (Shoal Bay to West End ~$30-35)
• Blowing Point ferry connects to St. Maarten in 20 minutes
• Walking the beach at night is fine; the roads are not lit, take a taxi

Who Shoal Bay suits

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