The island of Anguilla, a British Overseas Territory, is flourishing with new infrastructure, resort developments, increased flights and a boost in visitor arrivals.
For some backstory, Anguilla was allotted the country code domain “.ai” in the 1990s, and following the AI boom, companies around the world are clamoring to register websites that end in ".ai." Anguilla earned a significant amount in revenue from the web domain registration fees last year and has benefited with an increased percentage contributing to the government’s total revenue. The domain has emerged as a transformative asset for Anguilla, with projected revenues that are contributing surpluses for the establishment of various policy initiatives, social development programs and the Anguilla National Wealth Fund. Besides helping to finance the airport’s expansion and tourism infrastructure, the revenue from web domain registration fees is supporting medical care for senior citizens and a vocational technology training center at Anguilla’s high school, and is contributing to a national development fund that can be used to help the nation recover from future hurricanes.
On the arrival front, from January to June 2024, Anguilla received 116,143 visitors, just 50,000 short of the 2019 total of 166,351. Furthermore, U.S. visitor arrival numbers for 2024 for the first six months of the year are running at 40 percent over 2023 and this trend is expected to continue throughout 2024.
Here's what travelers need to know:
Infrastructure and Access
Anguilla’s Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport (AXA) is undergoing a major expansion, with a new passenger terminal scheduled for completion by autumn 2025. The runway extension, set to begin in January 2025 and completed in 2026, will further bolster the island’s capacity to welcome larger aircraft and more visitors.
Anguilla is set to benefit from increased airlift options during the upcoming winter season. Key service providers such as Tradewind Aviation, Trans Anguilla Airways, SkyHigh Aviation and CapeAir are expanding their routes across the Caribbean to cater to the surge in visitors. Anguilla Air Services’ scheduled service between Anguilla and Antigua, which started operation in November 2023, will run a scheduled service until at least May 2025, with connections available to meet U.K. flights to/from Antigua. American Airlines has added a third nonstop flight on Saturdays from Miami to Anguilla, in addition to its double daily flights; the third flight on Saturdays, which commenced in December 2024 will continue through March 2025.
Charter Air Direct operates a twice weekly service between San Juan and Anguilla, and Tradewind Aviation offers scheduled service from San Juan, St. Barts and Antigua to Anguilla.
New Luxury Marina and Resort Developments
Anguilla’s tourism landscape is set for further transformation, with the launch of three new resorts and a luxury marina development in 2025 and 2026. The first to open will be from private resort collection Ani Private Resorts, which will open its second development in Anguilla in 2025. The 15-suite luxury property will be located on Shoal Bay East and will feature a tennis court, gym, Ani spa, beach-fronted pavilion and much more.
The Altamer Marina, Yacht Club and Luxury Resort will offer a 118-berth marina, capable of accommodating yachts up to 250 feet in length. The development will also include a 62-room hotel, 58 branded residences, beachfront villas, 48 resort condominiums, a fitness center, a spa and duty-free shopping. Phase 1 of the project, which comprises the marina infrastructure, is scheduled to be completed in Q4 2025, and the hotel component is slated to open in late 2026.
On the island’s eastern seacoast, the Savannah Bay Marina and Resort will be developed on 215 acres of land. This project will feature a hotel, residences, villas, townhouses, condominiums, a marina, yacht club, port facilities, shopping arcade and entertainment.
Anguilla’s Malliouhana celebrated its 40th birthday in November 2024. The soirée marked the beginning of a year-long series of events and experiences that will continue throughout 2025. Guests can tour its recently restored cellar with 4,000-plus bottles of wine from regions around the globe. Malliouhana has also launched the AMA Recording Experience at the island’s only world-class recording studio. Proceeds from the AMA experience benefit students of the Anguilla Music Academy.
In addition, Anguillian chef Kerth Gumbs, known in the U.K. as a celebrity chef and TV presenter, has recently joined Malliouhana as culinary director. His team will bring a modern flair to the new Chef’s Garden and the resort’s three signature restaurants. November also saw Malliouhana welcome NASA-affiliated partners SETI Institute and Unistellar to launch an astronomical event offering stargazing opportunities. Weekly and private stargazing experiences will be available for guests throughout 2025. The resort has also launched an Eco Tour, which leads guests through Malliouhana’s 25 acres of tropical gardens.
Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club and Hotel Manapany in St. Barth's have announced a partnership to launch the “Anguilla to St. Barts Luxury Getaway Package,” which includes seven nights’ accommodation (four nights at Aurora and three nights at Manapany), transfers, gourmet dining, resort credits and more. Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club has also announced a partnership with the resort’s Sorana Spa and Vie De Mer, a French beauty brand specializing in plant-based products.
Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel, Anguilla, has unveiled an array of family-friendly adventures and wellness experiences in partnership with Guerlain. Children and adults alike will enjoy a new kite-making class, celebrating Anguilla’s tradition of kite-making and flying, alongside the Driftwood Art Creation & Terrarium Building Workshop, where guests can collaborate with the resort’s horticulturist to craft their own miniature gardens. Unveiled in spring 2024, the Cap Juluca Spa by Guerlain has launched new seasonal activities, including salt picking—a practice that harks back to the island’s history, when salt picking was once a vital part of life, and celebrates the connection between land, sea and the people.
At CeBlue Luxury Villas, the upgrade program is now complete for all one-, two-, three- and five-bed villas. A new pizza bar and restaurant is also fully open for guests to enjoy. The move towards sustainable power is underway, with the first phase of a solar initiative now completed and active.
Little Harbour Estates has introduced full-size pickleball courts at all three villas in the collection. At The Beach House, Le Bleu and Indigo, pickleball courts and equipment are available for guests, and coaching can also be arranged. New on-site experiences range from personalized drone filming, photography lessons, massage treatments and sound baths, to paddle boarding and painting classes.
Zemi Beach House on Shoal Bay East has refreshed the furnishings and updated the menus at its beachfront 20 Knots restaurant, besides adding new dining options at fine-dining restaurant Stone.
Sustainability and Ecotourism Projects
Sustainable initiatives currently underway in Anguilla include programs such as collaborations with the Anguilla National Trust to protect the island’s biodiversity and the development of the Blue Economy to sustainably manage the island’s marine and coastal ecosystems. The Environmental Stewardship Program, which was launched in 2024 is a public/private sector partnership to encourage tourism-based businesses to integrate climate and environmental consciousness into their everyday operations.
The Anguilla Tourist Board will introduce a new “Volun-Tourism” experience aimed at integrating volunteering opportunities into the tourism experience, offering visitors a chance to give back to the island’s communities.
Island Events for 2025
The Moonsplash Music Festival will return in March 2025, while Anguilla’s traditional Festival del Mar will take place over the Easter weekend in April 2025. The fourth annual Anguilla Culinary Experience will be held from April 30 to May 3, 2025, welcoming international guest chefs to create dining experiences alongside local chefs. Additionally, the first-ever Anguilla Music Tourism Convention, in partnership with Music Cities Events, will be held in November 2025.
For more information, visit www.ivisitanguilla.com.
Related Stories
Anguilla Launches Dive Tourism Policy
Hyatt, Grupo Piñero Enter Long-Term Joint Venture
New Direct Flights Launch From the U.S. to the Caribbean
Jamaica Tourist Board Launches Destination Streaming Channel