Anguilla’s east end feels like a different island. The road from The Valley narrows, the resort density drops, and the beaches open onto long, quiet arcs of sand where the only sound is the surf. For families looking to trade the island’s more polished west-coast scene for something slower and more immediate, this side of Anguilla delivers exactly that.
Yes — noticeably so. With no cruise ship docks and a fraction of the island’s hotel rooms, the east end’s beaches (Savannah Bay, Captain’s Bay) often see more fishermen than tourists. The trade-off is limited dining and shopping within walking distance; you’ll want a rental car to reach the handful of excellent spots scattered between Island Harbour and Blowing Point.
What Makes the East End Different
Anguilla has 33 beaches and no cruise ships, but the east end distills that quiet even further. Savannah Bay runs nearly a mile of white sand with views across to St. Martin, and on a weekday morning you might share it with a single family and a kite surfer. The water stays shallow a long way out, which matters when you’re watching a six-year-old test the limits of her floaties.
The area around Blowing Point and Island Harbour holds a handful of boutique guesthouses — often family-run, within a short walk of the beach. High-end properties like Zemi Beach House sit nearby, but the east end’s character leans more toward barefoot independence than resort programming. My husband Julien and I found that suited us better than a full-service property; Sofia could spend an hour collecting shells without anyone rushing her toward a scheduled activity.
The east end’s beaches aren’t all the same, and knowing the difference saves you a wrong turn down a dirt track. Savannah Bay is the obvious starting point — wide, calm, and easy to access by car. Sandy Point Beach at Blowing Point offers solid snorkeling around the rocky edges, though the current picks up closer to the point. Captain’s Bay is the one you have to work for: you’ll park near the end of the paved road and walk a short sandy path, and you’ll likely have it entirely to yourselves.
Captain’s Bay has no shade, no facilities, and no cell reception. Bring water, a pop-up tent, and plan to leave before the midday sun turns the sand hot enough to burn bare feet.
Eating on the East End — No Reservations Required
Dining here is casual and early, and that’s the point. Ken’s BBQ near Island Harbour serves smoky ribs and grilled chicken from a roadside stand — no menu, no website, just meat cooked over coals until it falls apart. Palm Grove Bar & Grill requires navigating an unpaved road, but the payoff is crayfish with hot sauce and johnny cakes eaten at a picnic table with sand between your toes. Both spots work best for an early dinner, before the mosquitoes arrive and the kids’ energy runs out.
For something slightly more structured, Elvis Beach Bar at Shoal Bay Village has cold drinks and a solid conch fritter order, plus live music on weekend afternoons. If you’re self-catering, JW Proctors Grocery Store and ABC Supplies in Island Harbour stock basics, though selection is limited compared to markets near The Valley. For families who want to mix a few beach days with a proper meal out, the east end’s dining scene is best treated as a supplement to a kitchen-equipped rental — not a replacement.
Restaurants on the east end close early — often by 8 or 9 PM. Plan dinners around a 5:30–6:00 window, especially with young children. After that, your options shrink to whatever the nearest resort bar is serving.
What to Do Beyond the Beach
The east end doesn’t have a water park or a mini-golf course, but it has things that work better for a certain kind of family trip. Mini golf and ice cream at the Anchor Complex on the east end is a low-key afternoon option. A short nature walk or guided hike near Katouche Bay rewards steady walkers with cave views and a chance to see the island’s drier interior landscape.
For families who want to get on the water without a full day commitment, boat rides from Crocus Bay to Little Bay for snorkeling run about two hours and work well for kids who are comfortable in a life jacket. Sandy Island — a small cay reachable by ferry from Sandy Ground — offers a picnic-and-snorkel day trip with water so clear you can see the sand dollars from the boat.
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If you’re looking for a guided option, there are several snorkeling tours worth browsing — most depart from the island’s west side but include east-end cays like Prickly Pear. For a half-day on the water without a full itinerary, half-day tours let you set the pace.
Getting Around and When to Go
Public transport on the east end is essentially nonexistent. Renting a car is the only practical way to reach the beaches and restaurants, and the roads between Blowing Point and Island Harbour are narrow, unlit at night, and occasionally unpaved. A compact SUV handles the bumps better than a sedan, and many rental agencies will deliver the car to your accommodation.
Recommended (Dec–Apr)
Off-season (May–Nov)
The dry season from December through April offers the most reliable weather — lower humidity, steady trade winds, and almost no rain. July and August see the driest conditions of the off-season, but also the highest heat and the occasional afternoon squall. The best time to visit for families is between late January and early April, when the water is calmest and the beaches are emptiest outside of holiday weeks.
Is the east end right for your family?
It depends on what you want from a Caribbean trip. If you need a resort with a kids’ club, a swim-up bar, and a schedule of daily activities, the east end will feel too quiet. If you’re after mornings on an empty beach, afternoons with a book and a cooler of snacks, and evenings eating grilled fish at a plastic table while your kids dig holes in the sand, it’s hard to beat.
The east end asks you to bring your own rhythm — and rewards you for it.
Do I need a car on the east end?
Yes. Taxis are available but expensive for the distance between beaches and restaurants, and there’s no reliable public transport. A rental car gives you the freedom to move between Savannah Bay, Island Harbour, and Blowing Point on your own schedule. Most agencies will deliver to your accommodation.
Are the east end beaches safe for toddlers?
Savannah Bay and Sandy Point Beach have very shallow entries and minimal current in calm weather, making them good choices for young children. Captain’s Bay and Windward Point Bay have stronger surf and no facilities — better for older kids or as a quick stop.
What’s the closest grocery store?
JW Proctors Grocery Store in Island Harbour is the largest option on the east end. It stocks basics — bread, eggs, fruit, canned goods — but selection is limited compared to the supermarkets in The Valley. Stock up on anything specific before heading east.
Is the east end safe at night?
Generally yes — Anguilla has low crime rates and the east end is quiet after dark. The main concern is road safety: the roads are unlit and narrow, so driving after sunset requires caution. Stick to early dinners and you’ll avoid most of the issue.
Can I visit the east end as a day trip from a west-end resort?
Easily. The drive from Meads Bay or Shoal Bay West to Savannah Bay takes about 20–25 minutes. Pack a lunch and make a morning of it — the east end’s beaches are worth the drive even if you’re not staying there.
Sources and further reading
Anguilla Destination Guide. Curated by Isabella, 2025.
East End Caribbean — Anguilla. The Caribbean, 2025.
Our Family Adventure in Anguilla: A Caribbean Gem for Little Explorers. Tiny Tales Expedition, 2025.
East End Village Guide. Evendo, 2025.
