Dropsey Bay

Dropsey Bay - also known as Lover's Cove and sometimes spelled Jobsie Bay - is arguably Anguilla's most genuinely surprising beach. Tucked on the southeastern coast near Long Pond Bay, it is reached via a narrow road that transitions from asphalt to gravelly dirt, winding along the edge of Long Pond with the open Atlantic on the other side. The beach itself comes into view only at the final bend, at the top of a sandy hill - and what waits on the other side is a scene of almost implausible calm.

A small offshore reef breaks the Atlantic swell before it reaches the bay, converting what would otherwise be rough, exposed water into a shallow, shimmering tidepool. The water is glassy and still, surrounded by natural rock formations that warm in the sun. This natural sheltered pocket is what gives the cove its other name - Lover's Cove - and it has reportedly been the setting for proposals and even weddings. It is genuinely one of Anguilla's most intimate and private spots.

The snorkeling at Dropsey Bay is unlike anything else on the island. Wading to the right side of the bay, visitors can enter a small sea cave with an inner chamber where the water pools into what regulars describe as a natural hot tub, with an opening at the top where you can stand and look out over the coastline. Back underwater, a natural rock bridge can be swum beneath - though swimmers should check first that sand has not filled the passage and should approach carefully to avoid scraping coral. Beyond the cave, the reef edge hosts marine life visible in the clear, shallow water.

The bay is almost always completely deserted. The only structures nearby are Tequila Sunrise Villa and Rum Punch Villa - two luxury rental properties on the eastern edge of the bay. There is no shade, no food, no facilities of any kind. Getting here requires navigating an unsigned road; downloading a map offline before departure is essential. The pay-off, however, is one of the most unusual and memorable beach experiences on the island.