Water conditions are excellent today with no sargassum detected and clear water. A good day to be on the beach.
What sets Anguilla apart from much of the Caribbean in 2026 is its unusual resistance to the sargassum seaweed problem that has damaged beach tourism across the eastern Caribbean. The island's southwestern orientation means that its most prominent beaches: Maundays Bay, Rendezvous Bay, and Cove Bay: face away from the prevailing sargassum drift. Shoal Bay East, while exposed to more easterly swells, benefits from its protected arc of coastline which prevents large accumulations. Anguilla consistently outperforms neighboring islands like St. Maarten and Antigua in seaweed-free beach days.
May is an excellent time to visit Anguilla. The peak season crowds of winter have dissipated, rates at even the finest resorts drop noticeably, and the beaches remain in superb condition. Water temperatures hover around 82°F: warm enough for comfortable swimming but not oppressively hot. The trade winds keep the air temperature pleasant, and afternoon showers, when they occur, are typically brief and followed by sunshine.
December through June represents Anguilla's prime season, with the sweet spot falling between January and April. These months offer the driest conditions, most reliable sunshine, and the famous northeast trade winds that keep humidity comfortable even as the Caribbean sun intensifies. May and early June are increasingly popular as savvy travelers discover that beach conditions remain excellent while prices are meaningfully lower than peak season. Hurricane season runs July through November, with the highest risk window being late August through October: during this period, visitors should purchase comprehensive travel insurance and monitor storm forecasts closely.
Anguilla's human story begins around 2000 BCE when Arawak-speaking peoples first settled the island, drawn by its salt ponds and fertile fishing grounds. They called it "Malliouhana," meaning arrow-shaped sea serpent: a poetic name for the island's elongated profile. British colonists arrived in 1650 and attempted to establish sugar plantations, though Anguilla's flat, dry terrain made it poorly suited for the crop that enriched neighboring islands. The island's history took a dramatic turn in 1967 when Britain sought to bundle Anguilla into a political federation with the larger islands of St. Kitts and Nevis. Anguillans revolted: but in a most unusual direction. Rather than demanding independence, they expelled the St. Kitts police force, drafted their own constitution, and petitioned Britain to maintain direct colonial rule. This became known as the "Anguilla Revolution," one of the only uprisings in Caribbean history fought for less independence rather than more. Britain ultimately accommodated the request, and Anguilla remains a British Overseas Territory today. The island's salt ponds were once its primary economic driver, with salt harvested for export throughout the colonial era: a history commemorated in the island's coat of arms.
"When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee.": Isaiah 43:2Live seaweed levels, surf, water quality and hotel deals — updated daily. Free.
View Live Conditions →