Scrub Island

Discover Scrub Island

Scrub Island lies off the northeastern tip of Anguilla and is reached by boat. Island Harbour is an established departure point, while Scrub Bay, on the island’s western side, is a recognised landing beach. The crossing and landing require suitable sea conditions; arrange the visit with an experienced operator who can assess the weather and adapt the itinerary. The island’s appeal extends inland from the sand. Low scrub, salt ponds, and rocky coastal terrain create a varied setting for a guided nature walk. Its significance is recognised in the Key Biodiversity Areas database, which records breeding seabirds and wetland birds, including roseate terns and white-cheeked pintails. Sightings depend on season and conditions. Observe from a distance, avoid nesting areas, and let a knowledgeable guide choose a route that limits disturbance. At the beach, a picnic and time beside the water can be enough to fill the afternoon. Swimming and snorkeling are possibilities when the captain identifies a suitable location. Keep plans flexible: exposed shores and changing swell mean that an appealing view does not always indicate an appropriate place to enter the sea. Families should discuss boarding, beach landings, and children’s swimming abilities with the operator before booking. This is a visit to plan with your own provisions. Bring drinking water, food, sun protection, and footwear suited to uneven ground. Confirm whether snorkeling equipment and refreshments are included in the charter, and carry all rubbish back to the mainland. Visitor facilities are absent, so any onboard amenities should be checked separately. Although uninhabited today, the island retains traces of earlier activity. The biodiversity site description records remains of a former tourism development and an old airstrip. These details add context without diminishing the natural setting. Treat ruins as features to view from a safe distance, and leave time for a return crossing agreed with your captain rather than extending the outing towards dusk without a plan.