Anguilla is a low-lying British Overseas Territory in the north-eastern Caribbean, just across a narrow channel from Saint-Martin and Sint Maarten, with The Valley as its capital. Visitors arrive at Clayton J Lloyd International Airport or by ferry at Blowing Point, and come above all for the beaches. Anguilla is not covered by Roam Like at Home, so a European SIM roams here on its operator's own terms. On the island itself, Canada reports that mobile reception is available across the island and reliable for emergency calls.
Key facts for Anguilla
- EU roaming: not covered by Roam Like at Home
- Local networks: Flow (depending on the plan)
- Emergency numbers: 911 for an ambulance, fire and rescue or the police
- Embassies: none; the Royal Anguilla Police Force and other local authorities help British nationals
Arriving by air or by ferry
British visitors can stay up to 90 days without a visa, with a passport valid for the whole stay, and extensions are handled by the Immigration Department after arrival. Ferries link Anguilla with Saint-Martin and Sint Maarten, and a departure tax is charged both at the airport and at the Blowing Point ferry terminal, with the amount depending on your age and the length of your trip. Some marine and animal specimens may not be taken off the island, so check with customs before packing any.
Three networks across a narrow channel
The short crossing from Saint-Martin takes you through three roaming regimes: Anguilla is outside the EU, the French side of Saint-Martin is in it, so Roam Like at Home applies there, and Dutch Sint Maarten is outside it. Around Blowing Point your phone may also pick up a network from across the water. Check the network name on your screen after each crossing and keep data roaming off on your home SIM unless you know the price.
Taxis, hire cars and the local licence
Apart from taxis, which are available all over the island, there is no public transport. To drive a hire car you need your UK licence plus a local licence bought from the rental company, valid for 3 months. Traffic keeps left, though some cars are left-hand drive, some main roads are in poor condition and drivers can be reckless and fast, so drive defensively.
Beaches, diving and the law
Topless and nude sunbathing are illegal. Dive operators may have limited resources, so ask to see credentials and check that oxygen is on board; there are no facilities in Anguilla for treating decompression sickness, so ask about safe depths before you dive. Penalties for illegal drugs are harsh. Same-sex relationships are legal, though there is no marriage or civil partnership; hotels are generally welcoming, while local attitudes can be conservative. Crime is generally low, but there has been a recent spike in serious gang-related gun crime and robbery; risks are lower in tourist areas, though some incidents have happened in busy public places, so avoid isolated places, beaches included, after dark, lock your accommodation, keep valuables in the hotel safe and never resist an attacker.
Storms, water and healthcare
The hurricane season officially runs from 1 June to 30 November, though stormy weather can happen outside it; follow evacuation orders, the Facebook pages of the Governor's Office and the Department of Disaster Management, and the US National Hurricane Center. Water shortages are common, especially in the dry season from January to April, so keep a supply. Healthcare is limited to 2 small hospitals and a few clinics, basic treatment is charged, and major surgery or decompression treatment can mean a transfer to a neighbouring island, so insurance is essential. Zika, dengue and schistosomiasis are among the health risks. The currency is the East Caribbean dollar, and US dollars are widely accepted.
Getting connected
A travel eSIM set up before you travel connects at the airport or as you step off the ferry. The Anguilla plans run on Flow, on 4G, and a Caribbean plan also covers Saint-Martin and Sint Maarten, which suits the ferry crossing, while a World plan suits a longer journey. Keep your usual SIM for bank texts, with its data roaming turned off.
Consular protection: who to call in Anguilla
- Dial 911 for an ambulance, fire and rescue or the police.
- Anguilla is a British Overseas Territory, so there is no British embassy: the Royal Anguilla Police Force or other local authorities support British nationals who need help.
- Find in the Telcomia app the embassy or consulate responsible for Anguilla for your nationality, and keep its phone number with your documents.
- If your EU country has no representation for Anguilla, the embassy or consulate of any other EU country must help you on the same terms as its own nationals (Article 23 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU).
- English is the official language.
Questions travellers ask about Anguilla
Will my EU SIM work in Anguilla?
Only on roaming at your operator's own rates, because Anguilla is outside Roam Like at Home.
Can I take a ferry to Saint-Martin?
Yes. Ferries link Anguilla with Saint-Martin and Sint Maarten, and a departure tax is charged at the Blowing Point terminal.
Which network does a Telcomia eSIM use in Anguilla?
Flow, on 4G.
Do I need a local driving licence?
Yes. Alongside your UK licence, you need a local licence bought from the rental company, valid for 3 months.
The short version
Install the eSIM before you travel, check your network after each ferry crossing, budget for the departure tax, buy the local licence with your hire car, keep swimwear on, check your dive operator, store water in the dry season, carry insurance, and save 911.
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