The line at the Blowing Point Ferry Terminal moves steadily. Boats arrive from St. Maarten in tight intervals, passengers stepping onto the dock with beach bags and carry-ons. By early evening, tables along Meads Bay and Sandy Ground are fully reserved. Anguilla is moving at peak capacity — and the official numbers now match what travelers have been seeing in real time.
The Anguilla Tourist Board has confirmed that the island welcomed 229,734 total visitors in 2025, the highest annual total in 33 years. The figure represents an 11.2 percent increase over 2024 and a decisive jump past the pre-pandemic benchmark year of 2019.
In 2019, Anguilla recorded 166,351 total visitors. The 2025 performance exceeds that by 63,383 visitors, an increase of 38.1 percent. Every key segment of the market — stay-over guests and day visitors — has now surpassed pre-pandemic levels.
A December That Set a New High
December delivered the strongest monthly performance on record. Anguilla welcomed 28,855 visitors in December 2025, the highest December total ever recorded. That marked a 20.9 percent increase over December 2024 and outpaced December 2019 by 12,362 visitors.
January followed with 23,548 visitors. February recorded 23,086. March reached 22,625. July also crossed the 22,000 threshold at 22,561.
Those numbers reflect concentrated strength during peak winter and year-end travel. Compared to 2019, January 2025 outperformed by 8,367 visitors. February exceeded its 2019 total by 7,537. July surpassed its prior benchmark by 6,184. June and November also posted gains of 5,950 and 5,760 visitors respectively over their 2019 totals.
Passenger arrivals in December 2025 totaled 37,712, up 18.8 percent year over year. Of those arrivals, 79.8 percent came by sea through the Blowing Point Ferry Terminal, while 20.2 percent arrived by air via Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport.
The flow by sea continues to be a defining element of Anguilla’s access pattern, supporting both overnight stays and day-trip traffic.
Growth Across Every Segment
Anguilla’s record year reflects gains across all visitor categories.
Tourist arrivals — visitors staying overnight — increased from 95,375 in 2019 to 114,965 in 2025, a 20.5 percent rise.
Excursionist arrivals — day visitors — climbed from 70,976 in 2019 to 114,769 in 2025, an increase of 61.7 percent. Nearly 69 percent of the total net growth between 2019 and 2025 came from excursionists.
The data underscores two parallel trends: sustained demand for extended stays at the island’s resorts and villas, and steady ferry-driven day traffic from neighboring islands.
In December alone, tourist arrivals reached 14,475, up 9.6 percent year over year. Excursionist arrivals totaled 14,380, up 34.8 percent.
The United States Remains the Top Source Market
The United States continued to anchor Anguilla’s demand base in 2025.
U.S. travelers generated 80,598 tourist arrivals, accounting for approximately 70 percent of stay-over visitors. The U.S. also produced 70,546 excursionist arrivals, roughly 61 percent of that segment.
In December, U.S. visitors represented 72.1 percent of tourist arrivals, totaling 10,483 travelers. Canada followed at 6 percent, and Europe accounted for 5.6 percent.
Year-over-year comparisons between 2024 and 2025 show the United States posting the largest increase in tourist arrivals at 11.98 percent. Europe (Other) delivered a 2.59 percent increase, while Canada remained essentially stable at 0.03 percent growth. Excursionist growth also leaned heavily on the U.S. market, complemented by gains from Canada and Europe. Regional Caribbean traffic continued to contribute meaningful volume.
“This milestone belongs to the people of Anguilla, our tourism investors and stakeholders, industry partners, and public and private sector partners whose dedication continues to set our destination apart,” said Cardigan Connor.
33 Beaches and a Reputation for White Sand
Anguilla’s tourism strength is rooted in its shoreline. The island counts 33 beaches, each publicly accessible, each defined by long stretches of white sand and clear water.
Shoal Bay East remains the most recognized, with nearly 2 miles of uninterrupted shoreline and a steady line of beach chairs and umbrellas during winter months. Meads Bay draws travelers for its combination of calm water and proximity to resorts and restaurants. Rendezvous Bay delivers wide open sand with views across to St. Martin. Maundays Bay, with its curved shoreline and bright turquoise water, remains one of the island’s most photographed stretches.
On the western edge, Barnes Bay and Little Bay offer quieter settings. Little Bay, accessible by boat, anchors a steady schedule of day excursions. Sandy Ground balances beach time with boat traffic and waterfront dining.
The consistent appeal of those 33 beaches — no high-rise development, no cruise ship piers, open access to the shoreline — continues to define the island’s draw.
Where Travelers Are Staying: Zemi Beach House
On Shoal Bay East, Zemi Beach House reflects the surge in demand for extended stays. The resort’s oceanfront rooms open directly onto the sand. A central pool deck fills early during peak winter weeks, and beach attendants move between loungers with drinks and towels throughout the afternoon.
The property’s Thai House Spa occupies a 300-year-old wooden structure relocated from Thailand and reconstructed on site. Treatment rooms overlook the ocean. The beachfront restaurant and bar draw a mix of overnight guests and visitors arriving by boat for lunch. During peak periods in 2025, occupancy remained strong across holiday weeks and high winter season dates.
The biggest story? A new partnership with airline AnguillaAir means you can actually stay at Zemi Beach House and get free flights from Newark.
A New Benchmark for Anguilla
The 2025 totals reset Anguilla’s tourism benchmark.
Total visitor arrivals increased by 38.1 percent compared to 2019. Tourist arrivals rose by 20.5 percent. Excursionist arrivals climbed by 61.7 percent.
“As we celebrate these results, our focus remains firmly on our people, our product, and the long-term prosperity of Anguilla,” said Jameel Rochester. “Protecting the integrity of the Anguilla brand means delivering an exceptional visitor experience, supporting our tourism partners, and ensuring growth is balanced, sustainable, and benefits our communities.”
On the ferry docks at Blowing Point, in the winter sun along Shoal Bay East, and at restaurants lining Meads Bay, the increase has been visible for months. Boats continue to arrive at steady intervals. Beach chairs fill. Hotel rooms book solid through peak weeks.
The official count confirms it: 2025 stands as Anguilla’s strongest tourism year in more than three decades, powered by winter demand, a dominant U.S. market, and the enduring pull of 33 beaches that remain open to every traveler who steps onto the sand.
In other words, Anguilla is hotter than ever.
Karen Udler
2026-02-23 03:02:00