Corito Bay: Anguilla's Quiet Turtle-Grass Hideaway
A shallow, reef-protected cove where sea turtles outnumber sunbathers.
Why Go
Just south of Wallblake Airport lies one of Anguilla's best-kept secrets, a sleepy pastel-cottage bay where the water stays waist-deep for a hundred yards and eagle rays glide past your ankles.
The Experience
Corito Bay isn't the postcard sugar-white strand that lures cruise crowds to Shoal Bay, and that's exactly the point. A reef sitting roughly 200 yards offshore knocks the swell flat, so the water inside the bay is glassy, protected, and shallow enough to wade for ages. The seabed is stitched with turtle grass, which is why green turtles and spotted eagle rays hang around undisturbed by boat traffic. On land, tiny pastel cottages, conch-shell borders, and a scattering of low-key beach bars give the whole cove a hand-painted, out-of-time feel. Come for a long beachcombing walk, a shady rum punch, and the strange luxury of having a Caribbean bay almost entirely to yourself.
What to Try
Wade out over the turtle grass with a snorkel mask and drift quietly, keeping an eye out for green turtles and eagle rays. Rent a kayak or paddleboard and glide toward the fringing reef, where the water suddenly deepens and the fish life spikes. Walk the shoreline for shells and sea glass, then settle in at one of the small beachfront spots for grilled snapper, johnnycakes, and a cold Carib.
Insider Tip
Wear reef-safe sunscreen and water shoes: the turtle grass hides the occasional urchin, and the bay's shallow shelf means you'll be standing in the water as much as swimming. Come mid-morning on a weekday and you may well be the only person on the sand.
The Practical Stuff
Located in the George Hill area, just south of Wallblake Airport on Anguilla's central south coast, roughly 5 minutes by car from The Valley. Access is via unmarked side lanes off the main road, so pin the location before you drive. No lifeguards, no big resort infrastructure, and limited parking, so bring water, a hat, and everything you need for the day. Best in calm-weather months (roughly December to May); after storms the turtle grass can wash up thickly on the sand.
Pair It With
- Sandy Ground — Follow a quiet Corito morning with lunch and live music at Anguilla's laid-back harbor village, a 10-minute drive north.
- Shoal Bay East — Contrast Corito's solitude with Anguilla's famous powder-white showstopper beach later in the afternoon.
- Wallblake House — Anguilla's oldest surviving plantation house sits just minutes away in The Valley ΓÇö an easy cultural add-on before or after the beach.
- Heritage Collection Museum — A short drive inland, this small museum puts Corito's sleepy fishing-village feel into deeper historical context.