Limestone Bay: Anguilla's Wild Little Secret
A hidden pocket of white sand and limestone cliffs on the north coast
Why Go
While the crowds queue for Shoal Bay, Limestone Bay sits quietly around the corner ΓÇö a half-mile crescent framed by dramatic rock formations where you can often have the sand entirely to yourself.
The Experience
Limestone Bay is the kind of beach Anguillans send you to when they've decided they trust you. Tucked along the island's north coast between Katouche Bay and Little Bay, it trades the polish of Anguilla's headline beaches for raw, cinematic scenery ΓÇö pale limestone cliffs, wind-sculpted rock, and turquoise water that shifts to deep cobalt where the reef drops off. There are no bars, no beach chairs, no vendors, and often no other people. What you get instead is silence, seabirds, and a stretch of powder-soft sand that feels genuinely undiscovered, even on an island already known for quiet coves.
What to Try
Snorkeling is the standout here ΓÇö the reef formations just offshore hide parrotfish, sergeant majors, and the occasional turtle, and the visibility is often better than at more trafficked spots. Bring your own gear (there's no rental hut). Walk the full length of the bay to reach the sculptural rock formations on the eastern end, where tidal pools form at low tide. Time your visit for late afternoon: the low sun lights up the limestone cliffs in warm gold and makes for the best photos on the island.
Insider Tip
Only swim here if you're a confident swimmer ΓÇö the surf can pick up quickly and there are no lifeguards, no facilities, and no cell reception at the water's edge. Locals treat Limestone Bay as a picnic-and-explore beach rather than a lazy-swim beach. Pack water, snacks, and reef-safe sunscreen before you leave your villa, and check the swell forecast; on calm days it's paradise, on rough days the current is not to be underestimated.
The Practical Stuff
Free to visit, open sunrise to sunset. No amenities ΓÇö no restrooms, no shade structures, no food or drink vendors. Access is via Coronation Road: head past Public Works and Koal Keel, continue to the top of the hill, then take the right onto a paved road that dips through a valley and dead-ends at the beach. A regular car works fine; the last stretch is gravelly but flat. Allow 10ΓÇô15 minutes' drive from The Valley. Best visited mid-morning for calm water or late afternoon for the light.
Pair It With
- Koal Keel Restaurant — Sits right on the road up to Limestone Bay ΓÇö the natural lunch or dinner stop before or after your beach visit, with elevated Caribbean cuisine in a historic setting.
- Katouche Bay — The next cove west, equally secluded and reachable via a short hiking trail through Katouche Valley ΓÇö pair the two for a full morning of off-the-radar north-coast exploring.
- Little Bay — A short drive away, this dramatic cliff-ringed cove is best reached by boat or by rope descent ΓÇö the perfect adventurous counterpart to Limestone's easier-access wildness.