Meads Bay: Anguilla's Mile of Champagne Sand
A powdery-white crescent where turquoise calm meets barefoot luxury on Anguilla's sunset coast.
Why Go
If you only get one beach day in Anguilla, spend it here. Meads Bay is the island's showpiece ΓÇö a mile-long arc of impossibly soft sand between Long Bay Village and West End, framed by low limestone cliffs and consistently ranked among the top ten beaches in the Caribbean. The water shifts from glass-clear jade near shore to a deep sapphire beyond the reef, and the vibe strikes a rare balance: refined enough for Four Seasons guests padding down for lunch, laid-back enough for locals stretching out with a rum punch at sunset.
The Experience
Arrive mid-morning while the sand is still cool and the west-facing bay is bathed in gentle light. Walk the full mile end to end ΓÇö it takes about 25 minutes at an unhurried pace ΓÇö and you'll pass the manicured loungers of Malliouhana and Four Seasons, tuck-away beach shacks, and stretches of totally empty sand in between. The water is typically calm and shallow far out, which makes it ideal for swimming and floating; toward the western end, small reefs attract snorkelers and the occasional sea turtle. By late afternoon the beach becomes Anguilla's unofficial sunset theatre: the sky ignites over the horizon while catamarans drift back to Sandy Ground and beach bars start pouring their first painkillers.
What to Try
Snorkel the rocky outcrops at either end of the bay for parrotfish, sergeant majors and the occasional green turtle. Rent a stand-up paddleboard or kayak from one of the resort concessions ΓÇö the flat morning water is beginner-friendly. Book a sunset catamaran cruise that launches from nearby Sandy Ground and cruises past Meads. Grab lunch at Blanchard's Beach Shack (lobster roll, rum punch, feet in the sand) or splurge on a long lazy afternoon at Ocean Echo or Jacala. Time a spa treatment at Malliouhana or Four Seasons so you emerge in time for cocktails on the sand.
Insider Tip
Skip the crowded central stretch and set up near the far western end past Carimar Beach Club ΓÇö the sand is just as soft, the crowds thin out dramatically, and you're a short wade from the best snorkeling rocks on the bay. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes for the rocky bits, and cash for the beach shacks. Sunset on Meads faces due west, so arrive with a cold drink 45 minutes before golden hour and stake out a spot on the sand ΓÇö no lounger required.
The Practical Stuff
Free public access with several entry points from West End Road; the easiest is the public path beside Frangipani Beach Resort. Parking is informal along the road ΓÇö arrive before 11am on weekends. No entry fee. Beach chairs and umbrellas are typically reserved for resort guests, but restaurants like Blanchard's Beach Shack and Ocean Echo rent loungers with a food/drink minimum. Restrooms and outdoor showers are available at the beach restaurants. Bring cash (USD or EC accepted) for smaller vendors. No lifeguards ΓÇö the water is generally calm but check conditions after storms.
Pair It With
- Blanchard's Beach Shack — The go-to lunch spot right on Meads Bay ΓÇö rum punches, lobster rolls, and toes-in-the-sand seating make it the perfect midday break from the beach.
- Sandy Ground — Just a 10-minute drive east, this fishing village comes alive after sunset with live music at Elvis' Beach Bar and Johnno's ΓÇö ideal for continuing the day into the evening.
- Little Bay — A secluded cliff-ringed cove reachable only by boat or rope descent, offering snorkeling and cliff jumping for those wanting a wilder counterpoint to Meads' polish.
- Malliouhana Spa Guide — Perched on the bluff at the eastern end of Meads Bay, it's an easy walk from the sand for a post-swim massage with ocean views.