Sandy Island Restaurant
Barefoot lobster feasts on a private cay
Why Go
A five-minute boat ride from Sandy Ground drops you onto a sliver of white sand where the grill smokes just steps from the surf and lunch means whatever came off the reef that morning.
The Experience
Sandy Island is technically a restaurant, but it plays out more like a castaway daydream: a tiny palm-tufted cay ringed by turquoise water, a handful of picnic tables planted directly in the sand, and a family-run kitchen powered entirely by wind and solar. You board a small motor boat at the Sandy Ground wharf, watch Anguilla shrink behind you, and step off two minutes later into the shallows. The vibe is unhurried in the best Caribbean way ??? rum punches sweat in plastic cups, reggae drifts from the bar, and the outdoor grill sends charred, buttery smoke across the beach while you wade, snorkel, or claim a lounger under a thatched umbrella. Come for lunch, plan to linger, and leave slightly sunburned and completely won over.
What to Try
The whole grilled lobster is the headliner ??? split, basted in garlic butter, and cooked over open flame ??? but the crayfish and jerk-spiced ribs hold their own. Order a side of johnny cakes and rice-and-peas, and don't skip the signature rum punch (potent) or a fresh passionfruit cocktail. If you're feeling flush, ask about the wine list; the yacht crowd has quietly turned it into one of the more surprising cellars on the island.
Insider Tip
Reserve ahead ??? especially in high season ??? and ask for the noon boat rather than the earlier shuttle. You'll get first pick of the shaded tables closest to the water, and the lobster comes off the grill just as you're finishing your first swim. Bring cash for the boat fare (US$40 round trip per person) and reef-safe sunscreen; there's zero shade once you wander down the sandbar.
The Practical Stuff
Access is by shuttle boat only from the Sandy Ground wharf on Anguilla's west side. Open daily for lunch during the winter season (roughly November through August); closed during the September?????October storm break. Cash and major cards accepted; bring a swimsuit, towel, and snorkel gear ??? the reef off the northern tip is worth an hour of your afternoon.
Pair It With
- Sandy Ground Beach — The departure point is a destination in itself ??? grab a sundowner at one of the beach bars after your boat drops you back on the mainland.
- 20 Knots — A laid-back stay walking distance from the Sandy Ground wharf, perfect if you want to roll straight from the boat to a poolside nap.
- Prickly Pear Cays — If Sandy Island hooks you, book a second boat day to its slightly wilder sister cays for more snorkeling and another grilled-lobster lunch.