Anguilla Ferry Times
Anguilla FerryTimes
Forest Bay
🌤️Estimated beach conditions
Beach Detail Guide

Forest Bay

Where quiet waters and soft breezes reveal the untouched side of Anguilla.

South Coast, AnguillaAnguilla beachBeach planning estimates
SnorkelingQuietSunset
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Quick facts

Plan Forest Bay at a Glance

Best for

Birdwatching (Forest Bay Pond Important Bird Area), Snorkeling, Historic exploration (Customs House ruins)

Swimming

Use caution

Snorkeling

Yes

Food nearby

Limited

Parking

Roadside / Public Parking

Family-friendly

Limited

Coast

South Coast

Vibe

Snorkeling, Quiet, Sunset

Estimated Water Conditions

Model estimates from marine forecasts and coastal exposure, not on-site measurements. A calmness score does not confirm safe swimming.

Use caution

ℹ️The model suggests rough conditions. Check local advisories before entering the water.

Calmness Score54/100

The model suggests rough conditions. Check local advisories before entering the water.

Wave Height

0.38m

Glass calm · Ideal for kids · Offshore 0.68m

Wind Speed

6 kts

Calm breeze

Wind Direction

SE

Wind coming from SE (128°) · Blowing toward NW

Status

Caution

Use caution

Last Updated

5:00 AM AST

Quick answer

Is Forest Bay worth visiting?

Forest Bay is Anguilla's most historically significant and nature-rich quiet beach - a former cargo port on the south coast with ruins of the old Customs House, excellent snorkeling, a bird-rich adjacent pond, and clear views toward St. Martin.

Birdwatching (Forest Bay Pond Important Bird Area)SnorkelingHistoric exploration (Customs House ruins)Quiet swimming

About 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.

Best Time
Check Conditions First
Shade
Limited Natural Shade
Crowds
Usually Relaxed
Facilities
Limited Facilities

Roadside / Public Parking

Roadside parking is available along Forest Road near the beach. The area is accessed via Corito Road and then Forest Road from the main island road. There is no formal parking area but you can pull off onto the beach side at various openings along the road. The route is not well-signed.

Forest Bay Travel Guide

What Forest Bay is like

Forest Bay is one of Anguilla's most overlooked and historically layered beaches - a quiet stretch of south coast shoreline with the ruins of the island's former main cargo port visible at the water's edge. The crumbling Customs House and its old jetty are still standing, a silent reminder that this calm, undeveloped bay was once Anguilla's busiest commercial port.

Today the beach is almost always empty. A sand spit separates it from Forest Bay Pond - a designated Important Bird Area - and the combination of beach, pond, and coastal vegetation creates one of the most wildlife-rich shoreline environments on the island.

Birdwatching at Forest Bay Pond

Forest Bay Pond, immediately adjacent to the beach, is one of Anguilla's best birdwatching sites. Great and Snowy Egrets are present year-round; Great Blue, Tricolored, and Little Blue Herons visit from October to April; White-cheeked Pintails, American Coots, and Black-necked Stilts breed in and around the pond; and seasonal visitors include Osprey, American Kestrel, Merlin, and several sandpiper species.

The road runs along the sand spit between the beach and the pond, providing easy observation from your vehicle or on foot. Bring binoculars - the birds here are often at close range and the diversity is exceptional for such a small site.

Snorkeling and swimming

Forest Bay has calm, shallow water with lively corals and a rich variety of small fish species accessible close to shore. Snorkeling is described by those who have visited as excellent - an undiscovered reef in an undiscovered bay. Bring your own gear as nothing is available to rent.

Seaweed can be an issue at times, particularly in warmer months. Check conditions before planning a swim. There are no lifeguards.

Access and what to bring

Forest Bay is reached via Forest Road off the main south coast road network. The route is unsigned - download Google Maps offline before going. The road runs along the sand spit between the beach and the pond. Roadside parking is available at pull-offs along the road.

There are no facilities. Bring all food, drinks, snorkel gear, binoculars, and sun protection. The former Straw Hat restaurant - once one of Anguilla's most loved dining spots, literally on the water at Forest Bay - has long since relocated to Meads Bay.

Best For at Forest Bay

Best for travelers looking for Birdwatching (Forest Bay Pond Important Bird Area), Snorkeling, Historic exploration (Customs House ruins), Quiet swimming, Seclusion and total privacy, Photography (wildlife, ruins, St. Martin views), and Nature walks.

Birdwatching (Forest Bay Pond Important Bird Area)SnorkelingHistoric exploration (Customs House ruins)Quiet swimmingSeclusion and total privacyPhotography (wildlife, ruins, St. Martin views)Nature walks

Swimming & Conditions

54/100 - Use caution

Swimming

Forest Bay has calm, shallow water that is generally good for swimming. The bay faces south and is partially sheltered, with a gradual sandy bottom. Seaweed can wash ashore periodically - particularly in warmer months - which can affect the swim experience. Check current conditions before planning a water-based visit. There are no lifeguards on duty.

Snorkeling

Forest Bay has been described as an excellent snorkeling spot, with lively corals and a rich variety of small fish species accessible close to the shoreline. The calm, shallow conditions make it accessible for snorkelers of most levels. Bring your own gear as nothing is available to rent at the beach. Seaweed can occasionally reduce visibility - check conditions before visiting.

Safety

Forest Bay is a calm beach with no significant hazards under normal conditions. There are no lifeguards. Seaweed can occasionally be heavy and may reduce swimming enjoyment. The ruins of the old Customs House and jetty are atmospheric but should be approached carefully as the structure is deteriorating. The road to the beach is unsigned - take a map.

Location Map

Tap the pin for directions

ExcellentGoodCautionRough
Forest Bay•Anguilla•Tap for directions

Beach Essentials

  • Reef-safe sunscreen
  • Plenty of drinking water
  • Cash for beach chairs/bars
  • Snorkel gear
  • Light cover-up or rash guard
  • Water shoes (for rocky areas)

Getting Here

From Ferry Terminal

Approx. 15–25 mins by taxi from Blowing Point. Taxis are always waiting at the terminal.

From Airport

Approx. 10–20 mins from Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport (AXA).

Estimated fare

...

Based on published taxi zone rates for 2 passengers and standard luggage. Confirm final fare with your driver.

Open full calculator

Facilities & Parking

No public facilitiesRoadside parking along Forest RoadRuins of old Customs House and jetty (historical site)Forest Bay Pond IBA (adjacent - no facilities)

Parking

Roadside parking is available along Forest Road near the beach. The area is accessed via Corito Road and then Forest Road from the main island road. There is no formal parking area but you can pull off onto the beach side at various openings along the road. The route is not well-signed.

Access

Forest Bay is on Anguilla's south coast, east of Blowing Point. From the main valley road, take the roundabout onto The Valley Road, then turn onto Jeremiah Gumbs Highway, then Long Ground Road, then Corito Road, and finally Forest Road to the bay. The road runs along the sand spit between the beach and Forest Bay Pond. Download a map offline before going. A taxi from Blowing Point Ferry Terminal takes approximately 10–15 minutes.

Food

There are no restaurants, beach bars, or food vendors at Forest Bay. The former site of the well-known restaurant Straw Hat was once located on the bay but has since relocated to Frangipani Beach Resort on Meads Bay. Bring all food and drinks. The nearest options are a short drive away.

Local insight

Visitor Tips

Best time to visit

Early morning is the best time for birdwatching at Forest Bay Pond, when herons and egrets are most active. The beach is peaceful at any time. Visitors with seaweed concerns should check conditions before going - the beach is best in drier, windier conditions when seaweed is less prevalent. Sunset here, with St. Martin on the horizon, is genuinely beautiful.

Who should visit

Birdwatchers - Forest Bay Pond is one of the best birdwatching sites on the island. Snorkelers looking for a quiet, undiscovered reef. History and heritage enthusiasts interested in Anguilla's pre-tourism past. Photographers drawn to wildlife, ruins, and St. Martin views. Anyone who wants to experience a completely different, genuinely undiscovered side of Anguilla.

Who should skip

Visitors who need facilities, those put off by seaweed, families requiring a fully serviced beach day, and anyone who wants reliable clear conditions without checking in advance. Forest Bay is for explorers and nature lovers - it is not a conventional beach destination.

Local tip

Bring binoculars - the Forest Bay Pond IBA is one of Anguilla's best birdwatching spots, with herons and egrets easily visible at close range from the road. Walk the sand spit between the beach and the pond for the best views of both. Download your map before leaving WiFi as the road is unsigned. Check for seaweed before planning to swim.

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