Island Harbour digital nomad guide

Essentials

City

Island Harbour, Anguilla, British West Indies

Population

Approximately 1,000 residents

Internet Speed

Fiber optic available via FLOW or Digicel, typically 50-100 Mbps; average $75 USD/month

Currency & Banking

East Caribbean Dollar (XCD), pegged at 1 USD ≈ 2.70 XCD. USD widely accepted.

Tap Water

Not typically drinkable; most residents use cisterns or buy bottled water (approx. $2.50 per 5L)

Power

110V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A and B sockets (same as USA/Canada)

SIM Card

FLOW or Digicel; prepaid data plans cost roughly $30 USD for 10GB

Banking for Expats

Republic Bank (Anguilla) Ltd, NCBA; cards accepted at major restaurants, cash preferred at local stalls

Accommodation

Luxury villas, boutique guesthouses like Arawak Beach Club, and Airbnb rentals

Cashless Friendly

Moderately; large hotels and upscale restaurants take cards, local 'BBQs' are cash only

Short Term Rentals

Airbnb, VRBO, and Shoal Bay Villas (nearby); prices range from $150 to $800+ per night

Budget Accommodation

Arawak Beach Club (approx. $150/night), local apartment rentals via Facebook community groups

Best Area to Stay for Tourists

Shoal Bay East (for the beach) or Island Harbour (for local fishing village vibes)

Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads

Island Harbour for lower long-term rates and quiet environment; Sea Feathers for residential peace

Working and Networking

Best Coworking Space

No dedicated coworking; Arawak Beach Club offers a 'work from beach' vibe with reliable Wi-Fi for guests

Best Cafe for Work

Artisan Pizza Napoletana (great Wi-Fi, quiet during lunch) or Falcon Nest Bar & Grill

Networking Events

Anguilla Chamber of Commerce events; informal networking at the Yacht Club during sailing regattas

Social Events for Expats

Sunday Scilly Cay lunches; 'Anguilla Expats' Facebook Group meetups

Transportation

Best Taxi/Ride App

No apps; use local taxi stands or WhatsApp dispatch. Standard rate Island Harbour to Valley: $25 USD

Bike/Scooter Rental

1st Class Rent-A-Car (Scooters approx. $40/day; Bicycles $20/day)

Best Beach Nearby

Shoal Bay East (5 mins drive); Island Harbour Beach (walking distance)

Top Regional Airline

Anguilla Air Services, Silver Airways (flying into AXA)

Top International Airline

American Airlines (direct from Miami); otherwise fly to St. Maarten (SXM) and take a ferry

Highway Access

The Valley Road connects Island Harbour to the rest of the island; drive on the left

Main Train/Transit Hub

Blowing Point Ferry Terminal (access to St. Maarten); Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport

Public Transport Passes

None; public transport consists of infrequent shared vans ($2 USD per ride)

Regional Travel

Calypso or Funtime Charters fast ferry to St. Maarten ($65 USD one way including taxes)

Health and Wellness

Best Hospital

Princess Alexandra Hospital in The Valley (approx. 15 mins drive)

Yoga & Wellness Centers

Omari Banks Wellness; private yoga sessions at Zemi Beach House ($150+)

Gyms & Fitness Centers

Results Driven Fitness (The Valley); monthly memberships approx. $70 USD

Laundry Services

The Laundry Shop in George Hill or self-service at many local guesthouses

Food and Drink

Best Food Delivery App

No formal apps; direct ordering from local spots like Hungry’s Good Food

Best Local Dish to Try

Crayfish at Scilly Cay or Grilled Lobster in the Harbour ($35-$50)

Vegan/Vegetarian Options

Veya Restaurant (Valley) has upscale veggie options; local Ital food stalls

Best Dessert Spots

Ocean Echo (Salted Caramel Cheesecake); Tropical Treats (Ice Cream in The Valley)

Affordable Shopping Spots

J&J Grocery (Island Harbour); Best Buy Supermarket (Long Path)

E-commerce/Online Store

Tropical Shipping or Aeropost for logistics from USA; no local Amazon equivalent

Grocery Delivery

Limited; concierge services like 'Anguilla Grocery' provide provisioning for a fee

Bar/Nightlife Area

Sandy Ground (The Pumphouse, Elvis’ Beach Bar) - 20 mins drive

Local Brewery

AXA Brewing Company (Anguilla Ale)

Wine Bars

Savvy’s at Zemi Beach House (Rum Room and extensive wine list)

Street Food Stalls

Breezes at the Harbour; Ben’s Pit BBQ (Weekends, plates for $12 USD)

Popular International Cuisine

Artisan Pizza Napoletana (Authentic Italian in Island Harbour)

Culture and Attractions

Must-See Landmarks

Scilly Cay (private offshore island); Fishing boats in the harbour

Museums & Art Venues

Heritage Collection Museum (East End); Savannah Gallery (The Valley)

Historical Sites

Wallblake House (built 1787); The Old Salt Factory at Sandy Ground

Religious Sites

St. Gerard’s Roman Catholic Church; Island Harbour Baptist Church

Annual Events

Festival Del Mar (Easter Weekend in Island Harbour) celebrating seafood and boat racing

Cultural Districts

Island Harbour is the island's primary 'fishing village' cultural hub

Theater Venues

No formal theater; cultural performances at Landsome Bowl Cultural Centre

Local Markets

Fresh fish market daily at the Island Harbour pier (roughly 3 PM)

Music Scene

Live music at Falcon Nest or Gwen’s Reggae Grill (Shoal Bay)

Street Art

Various painted murals celebrating the Anguilla Revolution and boat racing

Cooking Classes

Private sessions available via local chefs at Ani Private Resorts

Art Galleries

Ani Art Academies; Cheddie's Carving Studio (West End)

Historic Buildings

The Old Court House on Crocus Hill

Local Heritage

Boat Racing is the national sport; watch the Class A boats launch from the pier

Nature and Outdoor Activities

Nearby Nature Escapes

East End Pond Bird Sanctuary; hiking to Captain's Bay

National Parks Nearby

Big Spring Heritage Site (Petroglyphs); Fountain Cavern National Park

Cycling/Walking Paths

North Side coastal trails; the road to Windward Point Lighthouse

Scenic Viewpoints

Crocus Hill (highest point on the island, panoramic views)

Birdwatching Locations

East End Salt Pond (sightings of Piping Plovers and Egrets)

Bonfire-Friendly Spots

Sandy Ground beach bars often host legal evening fires

Other Services and Amenities

Parcel Delivery Service

DHL (The Valley); FedEx (The Valley); Post Office for local mail

Tech Repair Services

GADGET Anguilla (The Valley) for phone and laptop screens/repairs

Table Tennis Spots

Available at select luxury resorts like Four Seasons or Malliouhana

Language Classes

English is primary; Spanish lessons available at the Anguilla Community College

Libraries & Study Spots

Anguilla Public Library (The Valley); quiet and air-conditioned

Community Centers

Island Harbour Community Center (local gatherings and youth events)

Gaming Lounges

None; limited electronic gaming in local sports bars

Casino & Gaming Halls

Casinos are illegal in Anguilla; take a ferry to St. Maarten for gaming

Business

Studio Purchase Price (City Center)

Approx. $5,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $220,000 USD for oceanfront condo)

Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)

Approx. $3,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $140,000 USD for inland apartment)

1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)

Approx. $6,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $360,000 USD near Shoal Bay)

1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)

Approx. $3,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $180,000 USD in East End)

2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)

Approx. $6,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $520,000 USD for resort-style villas)

2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)

Approx. $3,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $256,000 USD for stand-alone homes)

Corporate Tax

0%; Anguilla is a zero-tax jurisdiction for neutral offshore entities

Dividend Withholding Tax

0%

Tax System

No direct taxation; no income, capital gains, or inheritance tax

Highest Income Tax Bracket

0% (Only Social Security and stabilizing levy of 3% each apply)

VAT

Anguilla uses GST (Goods and Services Tax) at 13%

Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules

No

Property Tax

Yes, but minimal; usually 0.75% of the assessed value of the building

Property Transaction Tax

Alien Land Holding License fee: 12.5% of purchase price for non-citizens

Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads

Yes, 0% tax on worldwide income; the 'Anguilla Residency by Investment' is popular