Barnes Bay

Barnes Bay is Anguilla's most intimate west-end beach - a curved arc of white sand and clear water on the island's northwest coast, between Meads Bay and West End Bay. Four Seasons Anguilla anchors the eastern end with its beachfront villas and Lima-Limon restaurant, while the western half is lined with celebrated private villas and Mango's Seaside Grill.

Despite its proximity to one of the Caribbean's most celebrated resorts, Barnes Bay is consistently quiet. On most visits, non-resort guests will find a significant stretch of beach almost entirely to themselves - a rarity this close to Anguilla's most popular stretches of coast.

The best snorkeling at Barnes Bay is along the rocky cliff edges between Barnes Bay and Meads Bay, where corals, moray eels, French angelfish, and reef fish congregate. Beginners can explore the shallower inshore rocky areas, while experienced snorkelers can follow the reef further for rays and larger species.

Swimming is good on calmer days, though the beach can be rougher than Meads Bay when northerly or northwesterly winds pick up. The sandy sections have a comfortable entry. Rocky outcroppings break the shoreline and require footwear to navigate safely.

Mango's Seaside Grill offers fresh seafood at the public end of the beach, directly on the sand. Lima-Limon - the Four Seasons' Mexican restaurant - is open to non-resort guests on the eastern end, serving carne asada, grilled octopus, and signature margaritas with a lively, colorful atmosphere and beach chairs.

Barnes Bay faces due west and delivers some of Anguilla's most dramatic sunset light. The water turns gold, the rocky outcroppings cast long shadows, and the horizon glows. A sunset drink at Lima-Limon or Mango's is one of the quiet highlights of Anguilla's west end.

Public access to Barnes Bay is via the road to Mango's Restaurant off the main island road heading west. The turnoff can be easy to miss - look for Mango's or Caribella signs and follow the dirt road to the beach. Informal parking is available near the restaurant.

Barnes Bay is not accessible on foot from Meads Bay as Four Seasons occupies the rocky promontory connecting the two bays. First-time visitors should download a map offline before heading out as the road is unsigned. A taxi from the Blowing Point Ferry Terminal costs approximately $18–25 USD for two people.