Forest Bay

Forest Bay is one of Anguilla's most historically layered and quietly compelling beaches - a stretch of shoreline on the island's south coast that most visitors completely overlook, tucked away from the main tourist circuit and carrying the remnants of a significant past.

Historically, Forest Bay was Anguilla's primary cargo port of entry. Before Road Bay at Sandy Ground was properly developed, Forest Bay served as the main seaport for the island, with well-known sloops and schooners like the Betsy R and the Warspite making regular crossings from St. Martin. A Customs House operated here, and for many years it was the island's most organized point for receiving goods and passengers. The crumbling ruins of that Customs House and its jetty are still visible from the beach today - a quiet monument to the bay's former importance. Today the area is entirely undeveloped, and the beach feels genuinely abandoned in the most peaceful sense of the word.

The natural setting is beautiful and distinctive. Forest Bay faces south toward St. Martin, which is visible clearly from the shoreline. A sand spit separates the beach from Forest Bay Pond, a designated Important Bird Area that attracts an exceptional variety of herons, egrets, waterfowl, and wading birds year-round. Great and Snowy Egrets are present year-round; Great Blue, Tricolored, and Little Blue Herons visit from October to April; and breeding waterfowl include White-cheeked Pintails and Black-necked Stilts. The combination of the bay, the pond, and the coastal vegetation creates one of the most wildlife-rich shoreline environments on the island.

Snorkeling at Forest Bay has been described as excellent, with lively corals and a rich variety of small fish species close to the shoreline. The bay is calm and shallow, making it accessible for swimmers. However, seaweed can be an issue at times - visitors should check conditions before planning a swim, particularly in warmer months. There are no facilities of any kind, and the approach road requires navigation without signage.

Located in South Coast, Anguilla, Forest Bay is a strong choice for travelers looking for Snorkeling, Quiet, and Sunset. Its current beach profile highlights good.