The Prickly Pear Cays are a pair of uninhabited island off the coast of Anguilla. The islands are home to unspoiled white sand beaches and little else. Visit for the day to enjoy sunbathing on pristine beaches and snorkeling along coral reefs packed with marine life.
The Basics
If you’ve ever dreamed of being marooned on a desert island for the day, you can make that dream come true at Prickly Pear Cays—but with a delicious barbecue lunch to keep you from feeling too far from civilization. Guided boat trips head to the islands from St. Maarten and Anguilla on a regular basis. Most tours are full-day trips and include lunch and drinks.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The Prickly Pear Cays are uninhabited and can only be reached by boat.
- Snorkeling gear is usually provided on guided trips.
- The beaches on the islands do not have much shade, so remember to bring sunscreen and a sunhat.
How to Get There
The Prickly Pear Cays are located a few miles off the coast of Anguilla. They can be reached by boat from either Anguilla or nearby St. Maarten. Most travelers visit the cays on tours that include lunch and other amenities.
When to Get There
The best time to visit Anguilla is from December to May, when you can expect the best weather. Hurricane season runs from June to November, but you can still enjoy sunny days in between storms at this time of year.
Visit the Anguilla Heritage Museum
For a closer look at the island of Anguilla and its history, visit the island’s Heritage Collection museum in East End Village. The collection includes everything from artefacts that once belonging to the indigenous Arawakan people to exhibits about the 1967 revolution, when Anguilla gained independence from Britain.
