Maundays Bay at Cap Juluca
A mile of pearlescent sand tucked at Anguilla's southwest tip ΓÇö Belmond glamour, but the sand itself is free.
Why Go
Locals will tell you Maundays Bay is the prettiest beach in Anguilla, and it's hard to argue when you're standing ankle-deep in that impossibly calm, chalk-blue water, staring at the whitewashed Moorish domes of Cap Juluca curving along the shore. The best part? The beach is technically public, so you can spend the day here without booking a suite that costs more than your car.
The Experience
Pull into the free public lot at Belmond Cap Juluca (yes, non-guests are welcome ΓÇö just tell the gatehouse you're here for the beach) and walk out through the palms onto nearly a mile of powder-fine sand facing St. Martin across the channel. The water shelves gently for a long way out, so it stays warm, waist-deep, and glassy ΓÇö perfect for wading, floating, and half-hearted snorkeling along the reef edges. The resort's whitewashed villas frame the bay in a way that makes every photo look staged. Anchor yourself at The Cap Shack right on the sand for a rum punch and a mahi-mahi burger, then wander back to the water and repeat. Come sunset, the sky behind the domes goes tangerine and the whole bay empties out.
What to Try
Order the conch tacos and a Cap Shack rum punch for lunch on the sand, then upgrade to dinner at Pimms ΓÇö the resort's romantic waterfront room that's been serving contemporary Caribbean since 1988 (reservations essential, and dress up a little). Bring a snorkel: the reef patches at either end of the bay hide parrotfish and the occasional ray. If you're feeling active, the Greg Norman-designed CuisinArt golf course is a short drive away.
Insider Tip
The resort closes every September and October for the low season, so plan around that. Also: park at the Belmond lot rather than trying to reach the beach from the western end ΓÇö the hotel side has the easiest access, cleanest sand, and the Cap Shack is right there. Come on a weekday morning before 11 for the beach almost to yourself; cruise-day crowds don't reach this corner of the island.
The Practical Stuff
Located on Maundays Bay at the southwestern tip of Anguilla, roughly a 20-minute drive from Blowing Point Ferry Terminal and 25 minutes from Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport. The beach itself is free and public year-round; free parking at Belmond Cap Juluca. Cap Shack is casual and walk-in friendly during resort season (NovemberΓÇôAugust); Pimms requires reservations. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes if you plan to explore the rockier ends, and cash or card for food and drinks. Shade is limited outside the resort's rented loungers, so pack an umbrella if you're beaching independently.
Pair It With
- Pimms at Cap Juluca — Book the sunset seating for a special-occasion dinner right on the water ΓÇö you're already on-property, so make a night of it.
- Shoal Bay East — If you want to compare Anguilla's two most-loved beaches in one trip, Shoal Bay's livelier vibe and beach bars are the perfect counterpoint to Maundays' hushed glamour.
- Sandy Island — A tiny cay reached by a 10-minute boat from Sandy Ground ΓÇö a natural next stop for anyone who caught the barefoot-in-turquoise-water bug at Maundays.