Shoal Bay East

Shoal Bay East runs for around three kilometres along Anguilla's northeastern coast, white coral sand against water that shades from clear to deep turquoise, with reef offshore that keeps the swell down and a handful of beach bars strung along the back. It is the beach the island is known for and the one that appears on every list. Even so it rarely feels crowded because of its length.

What you actually see

• The length - around three kilometres of continuous white sand.
• The reef - the coral offshore that keeps the water calm.
• The beach bars - the places strung along the back of the sand.
• The water colour - the shading from clear shallows to deep turquoise.

When to go

December to April is the dry season and the high season. Hurricane season runs June to November. Sargassum affects this coast in some years.

Honest expectations

Sargassum weed has affected this coast badly in some seasons and can spoil the water. Beach bar prices are high. It is busiest around the bars and empty at the ends.

Nearby

Island Harbour is east, and The Valley is southwest.