• Anchored sailboats and turquoise waters in Road Bay Harbor, Anguilla, a popular Caribbean cruising destination and gateway to the Leeward Islands

    Road Bay Harbor

    The Cruising Gateway to Anguilla

    Anguilla • Leeward Islands

  • Illustrated map of Anguilla showing the island's coastline, major settlements, and location within the northeastern Caribbean.

    Island Overview

    Anguilla is renowned for its pristine beaches, turquoise waters, and relaxed Caribbean atmosphere, making it one of the region's most popular cruising destinations.

  • Cruising route map showing sailing connections between Road Bay Harbor, Saint Martin, Simpson Bay Lagoon, Marigot Harbor, and Gustavia Harbor in the Northern Leeward Islands.

    Gateway to the Leeward Islands

    Road Bay Harbor provides convenient sailing access to Saint Martin, St. Barthélemy, and neighboring Leeward Islands cruising destinations throughout the northeastern Caribbean.

  • Waterfront restaurants, dinghies, anchored sailboats, and turquoise waters along Sandy Ground in Road Bay Harbor, Anguilla.

    Sandy Ground Waterfront

    The vibrant waterfront village of Sandy Ground offers beach bars, local restaurants, dinghy access, and a welcoming atmosphere for visiting sailors and cruisers.

Why This Harbor Matters

Road Bay Harbor is Anguilla's primary cruising harbor and the island's most important point of entry for visiting sailors. Located along the island's northwestern coast near Sandy Ground, the harbor serves as a convenient customs and immigration port while offering easy access to beaches, restaurants, and local services.

Cruisers traveling between Saint Martin, St. Barthélemy, Antigua, and the wider Leeward Islands frequently stop at Road Bay to clear customs, enjoy Anguilla's relaxed atmosphere, and explore one of the Caribbean's most beautiful island destinations. The harbor's wide anchorage, scenic shoreline, and proximity to Sandy Ground make it a popular stop for both short visits and extended stays.

Today, Road Bay remains one of the most visited cruising destinations in Anguilla, providing sailors with a welcoming entry point, beautiful surroundings, and convenient access to the island's beaches, restaurants, and attractions.

Harbor Snapshot

Country Anguilla
Region Leeward Islands
Harbor Type Open Roadstead Anchorage
Primary Cruising Role Primary Cruising Harbor & Customs Gateway
Best Known For Customs Clearance, Sandy Ground Village, Cruising Stopover
Protection Fair
Provisioning Limited
Fuel & Water Available Nearby
Customs & Immigration Available
Typical Stay 2–4 Days
Cruising Importance Major Cruising Gateway

Cruising Highlights

At-a-glance features that define the cruising experience at this harbor.

Anchorage & Access

Anchorage & Access

  • Spacious open anchorage
  • Easy customs clearance
  • Convenient beach access
  • Excellent island-hopping stop
Sandy Ground Waterfront

Sandy Ground Waterfront

  • Waterfront restaurants and bars
  • Sandy Ground Beach
  • Local island atmosphere
  • Easy dinghy access ashore
Nearby Destinations

Nearby Destinations

  • Short sail from Saint Martin
  • Easy access to St. Barthélemy
  • Gateway to the Leeward Islands
  • Popular island-hopping stop
Cruising Connections

Cruising Connections

  • Oyster Pond Harbor
  • Simpson Bay Lagoon
  • Marigot Harbor
  • Gustavia Harbor

Explore Road Bay Harbor

Discover Road Bay Harbor through its welcoming waterfront, beautiful beaches, dramatic coastline, and relaxed island atmosphere that make it Anguilla's premier cruising destination

Natural limestone sea arch on the coast of Anguilla overlooking turquoise Caribbean waters and rugged shoreline cliffs
Discover Anguilla's dramatic coastline, rugged limestone cliffs, and crystal-clear waters that surround Road Bay Harbor and showcase the island's natural beauty.
Beachfront restaurants, dinghies, anchored sailboats, and turquoise waters along Sandy Ground Beach in Road Bay Harbor, Anguilla.
The lively Sandy Ground waterfront offers restaurants, beach bars, dinghy access, and a welcoming atmosphere that makes Road Bay Harbor a favorite stop for visiting cruisers.
White sand beach, crystal-clear turquoise water, palm trees, and anchored sailboats at Shoal Bay East, one of Anguilla's most famous Caribbean beaches.
Relax on Anguilla's world-famous white-sand beaches and turquoise waters after clearing customs or while enjoying an extended stay at Road Bay Harbor.

Cruising Guide

Essential planning information for arriving, staying, and cruising from Road Bay Harbor.

Guide Overview

Road Bay Harbor is Anguilla's primary cruising harbor and customs port, offering a relaxed anchorage just offshore from Sandy Ground Village. With convenient customs clearance, beautiful beaches, waterfront restaurants, and easy access to neighboring islands, Road Bay is an ideal stop for cruisers exploring the Leeward Islands. Whether arriving for clearance, enjoying Anguilla's renowned beaches, or staging for the next passage, Road Bay provides a memorable blend of island hospitality and Caribbean cruising.

Arrival & Approach

Approaching Road Bay Harbor is generally straightforward in settled weather, with the open anchorage located off Sandy Ground on Anguilla's northwestern coast. Mariners should monitor wind and sea conditions before arrival, as the anchorage is exposed to northwesterly swells during certain weather patterns. Dinghy access to the beach and customs facilities is convenient in normal conditions.

Anchorages & Marinas

Road Bay is an open roadstead anchorage with no marina facilities. Most visiting yachts anchor in good holding off Sandy Ground and use dinghies to reach shore. While the anchorage is comfortable in favorable weather, changing wind direction and swell conditions should always be considered when planning an extended stay.

Marine Services

Marine services on Anguilla are limited compared to neighboring Saint Martin. Fuel, repairs, chandlery services, and additional yacht support are available nearby in Simpson Bay Lagoon and Marigot Harbor, making Road Bay an excellent cruising stop while remaining within easy reach of full-service marine facilities.

Provisioning & Daily Needs

Sandy Ground offers restaurants, cafés, beach bars, convenience stores, and basic provisions within walking distance of the dinghy landing. Larger supermarkets, marine supplies, and additional provisioning options are available after a short sail to Saint Martin.

Why Sailors Return

Cruisers return to Road Bay Harbor for its relaxed island atmosphere, welcoming waterfront village, beautiful beaches, and convenient customs clearance. The combination of easy island access, excellent beaches, friendly local businesses, and proximity to Saint Martin and St. Barthélemy makes Road Bay one of Anguilla's most rewarding cruising destinations.

Nearby Harbors

Discover the natural next stops for your cruise, whether you are looking for customs clearance, protected anchorages, marina services, or planning your next passage.

Philipsburg Harbor

Philipsburg Harbor

Major maritime gateway on the Dutch side of Saint Martin offering customs services, marinas, provisioning, shopping, and regional cruising connections.

Explore Harbor →
Simpson Bay Lagoon

Simpson Bay Lagoon

The island's largest protected lagoon offering marinas, yacht services, provisioning, and extensive cruising infrastructure.

Explore Harbor →
Marigot Harbor

Marigot Harbor

French Saint Martin's cultural and administrative harbor featuring customs services, marinas, markets, and waterfront dining.

Explore Harbor →
Gustavia Harbor

Gustavia Harbor

St. Barthélemy's premier harbor offering world-class marinas, dining, provisioning, and Caribbean cruising.

Explore Harbor →
Road Bay Harbor Harbor Collection keepsake

Harbor Collection

Celebrate This Harbor

Commemorate your visit to Road Bay Harbor with a personalized Harbor Collection keepsake. Whether Road Bay was your first Caribbean landfall, favorite Anguilla anchorage, or a memorable stop during your island-hopping adventure, create a handcrafted keepsake that celebrates your time in one of the Leeward Islands' most welcoming cruising destinations.

Choose Your Engraving Style

Harbor Memory Home Port Coordinates Captain's Edition

Make It Your Own

  • Harbor or marina name
  • Boat name
  • Home port
  • Coordinates
  • Year visited
  • Custom inscription

Crafted to Last

  • Premium hardwood construction
  • Precision laser engraving
  • Personalized for your harbor
  • Handmade in the USA
Shop Harbor Collection

Frequently Asked Questions About Road Bay Harbor

Find answers to common questions about visiting, anchoring, and cruising from Road Bay Harbor, Anguilla's primary cruising gateway.

Is Road Bay Harbor a good destination for cruising sailors? +
Yes. Road Bay Harbor is Anguilla's primary cruising harbor, offering customs clearance, a spacious anchorage, beautiful beaches, and convenient access to Sandy Ground Village and neighboring Leeward Islands.
Can I clear customs and immigration at Road Bay Harbor? +
Yes. Road Bay Harbor serves as Anguilla's principal port of entry for cruising vessels and offers customs and immigration services for visiting sailors.
Are marina facilities available at Road Bay Harbor? +
No. Road Bay is an open anchorage without marina facilities. Most visiting yachts anchor offshore and use dinghies to reach Sandy Ground Village, while full-service marinas are available nearby on Saint Martin.
What nearby destinations can be reached from Road Bay Harbor? +
Cruisers frequently sail between Road Bay Harbor, Saint Martin, Simpson Bay Lagoon, Marigot Harbor, Gustavia Harbor, and other destinations throughout the Leeward Islands.
When is the best time to visit Road Bay Harbor? +
The primary cruising season generally runs from November through May, when weather conditions are typically drier and more favorable for sailing throughout the Leeward Islands.
Can I create a personalized Harbor Collection keepsake for Road Bay Harbor? +
Yes. Road Bay Harbor is available as part of the Harbor Collection and can be personalized with names, dates, coordinates, vessel names, and special cruising memories.

Cruising Routes from Road Bay Harbor

Discover popular sailing routes, offshore passages, and cruising journeys that connect sailors from Road Bay Harbor to Anguilla, Saint Martin, the Northern Leeward Islands, and the Caribbean.

Cruising Route

Florida to Bahamas Sailing Route

Many sailors heading toward the Eastern Caribbean begin their offshore journey through Florida and the Bahamas before continuing south toward Saint Martin and the Leeward Islands.

View Route Guide →
Cruising Route

Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway

A popular staging route for sailors preparing to depart the U.S. East Coast for the Bahamas, Caribbean, and offshore cruising destinations. Many cruisers use the ICW to safely reach Florida before continuing toward the islands.

View Route Guide →

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Harbor Collection personalized nautical keepsake

Personalized Keepsake

Harbor Collection

Celebrate your favorite harbor, home port, or unforgettable sailing adventure with a personalized Harbor Collection keepsake.

Shop Harbor Collection →
Leeward Islands

Regional Guide

Leeward Islands

Discover the islands, harbors, anchorages, and cruising routes that make the Northern Leeward Islands one of the Caribbean's premier sailing destinations.

Explore Leeward Islands →

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