Sandy Ground
Go for a long, curved beach under high cliffs, a working port and a disused salt pond, in a village tied to Anguilla's 1969 history.
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Sandy Ground is a village in Anguilla, the small Caribbean island, and it counts as one of the island's fourteen districts. It is the main port of Anguilla, which matters if you arrive by sea. The beach is the main draw: a long, curved strip of sand with tall cliffs behind it. Next to the sand is an old salt pond that is no longer worked.
The village also has a place in the island's modern history. On March 19, 1969, during Operation Sheepskin, troops from the British 2 PARA came ashore on the beach beside the village and took it over. A half day covers the beach and the village. A full day or longer suits travelers who want to pair it with other beaches on the island. If beach time is the reason for your trip, plan for the drier months, December to May. If you fly in, Clayton J. Lloyd International is the airport, so book your transfer before you land.
Sandy Ground in five
- Carry East Caribbean dollarsSmall purchases are easier in East Caribbean dollars (XCD). US dollars are widely accepted, but change may come back in XCD.Money and costs
- Set up an eSIM before you landDigicel and Flow are the main mobile networks. An eSIM gives you data from the moment you land, without a SIM queue at the airport.Phones and eSIM
- Drive on the left in a rental carTraffic keeps to the left, as in the UK. Ask the rental company what licence it needs before you collect the car.Getting around
- Arrange your transfer from the airportClayton J. Lloyd International is the island's airport. Agree the taxi fare or book a transfer before you land.
- Read up on Operation Sheepskin firstOn March 19, 1969, troops from the British 2 PARA came ashore on the beach beside the village and took it over. Read about it before you walk the sand.
Things to do in Sandy Ground
See all attractions in Sandy Ground
Need to know
- Currency
- East Caribbean dollar (XCD); US dollars widely accepted
- Entry
- Passport needed; visa rules depend on nationality Read more
- Emergency
- 911 police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Service charge often added; check the bill
- Time
- UTC-4, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryDry season
- FebruaryDry, trade winds
- MarchDry, warm
- AprilDry, warm
- MayDry, hot
- JuneHurricane season
- JulyHurricane season
- AugustPeak storm season
- SeptemberPeak storm season
- OctoberStorm season
- NovemberStorm season ends
- DecemberDry season returns
Right now in Sandy Ground
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
29
- Feels like
- 34°
- Humidity
- 76%
- Wind
- 28 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 41%
The Valley
07:23 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today30°29°41%Monday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 29°. Chance of rain 41%.
- Tue30°28°27%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 28°. Chance of rain 27%.
- Wed29°28°23%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 29°, Low 28°. Chance of rain 23%.
- Thu29°28°31%Thursday: Cloudy. High 29°, Low 28°. Chance of rain 31%.
- Fri29°26°69%Friday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 69%.
- Sat28°26°80%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 28°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 80%.
- Sun28°26°67%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 28°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 67%.
Updated 06:35 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 2.7 XCD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- The Valleyabout 20 to 30 min by carThe island's capital, for banks, shops and a wider choice of food.Read the guide
- St Martinabout 1 to 1.5 hours including the ferryThe French side of the island, reached by ferry from Blowing Point. Check the ferry times before you go.
- Shoal Bayabout 20 to 30 min by carA second long beach for a swim away from the village.
Before you go to Sandy Ground
Rules for Sandy Ground, checked
- Check the entry rules for your passport on the UK government's Anguilla travel advice page before you book.Source
- Drive on the left. Check with your rental company which licence you need before you collect the car.
- Service charges are often added to restaurant bills in Anguilla, so check the bill before you leave a tip.
Plan around Sandy Ground
The island, its beaches and its village districts.
Read the guideGetting around AnguillaTaxis, rental cars and driving on the left.
Read the guideMoney and costsDollars, card use and what a day costs.
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules by passport and where to check them.
Read the guideWhere to stayPlaces to base yourself on the island.
Read the guidePhones and eSIMMobile networks, data plans and setup before you land.
Read the guideSandy Ground FAQ
Is Sandy Ground worth visiting?
Yes, if you want a long curved beach under high cliffs and a village that is also the island's main port.
How many days do you need in Sandy Ground?
A half day covers the beach, the cliffs and the disused salt pond beside it. Add more days for the rest of Anguilla.
Is there a salt pond in Sandy Ground?
Yes. A disused salt pond lies near the village, beside the beach, and it is no longer worked.
What happened in Sandy Ground in 1969?
On March 19, 1969, during Operation Sheepskin, troops from the British 2 PARA came ashore on the beach beside the village and took it over.
Where is Sandy Ground on Anguilla?
Sandy Ground is a village and one of the island's fourteen districts, and it is Anguilla's main port.