THE VALLEY, Anguilla (May 20, 2026) — Anguilla posted its strongest first-quarter tourism performance in the Caribbean island’s 34-year recorded history, with a 24.6% surge in stay-over visitors that underscored growing appeal as a premium destination.
Stay-over arrivals reached 46,691 in January through March 2026, accounting for 51.9% of total visitor traffic, according to data released by the Anguilla Statistics Department and Immigration Department.
The increase of more than 9,200 stay-over visitors compared with the same period in 2025 reflected broad-based gains across all three months.
March led the way with 16,693 stay-over arrivals, a 30.7% jump from the prior year. February saw 14,992 stay-overs, up 26.1%, while January recorded 15,006, a 17.1% increase.
Anguilla’s full-year 2025 stay-over arrivals totaled 114,965, a modest 3% increase over 2024 that outperformed the broader Caribbean region’s 2.5% growth to an estimated 35 million stay-over visitors. While the region faced headwinds including economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and a late-season hurricane, Anguilla maintained steady gains that set the stage for its breakout start to 2026.
Overall visitor arrivals for the quarter climbed 30% year-over-year to 90,017, the highest Q1 total on record. That total included 43,326 excursionists — day visitors who arrive primarily by sea from St. Maarten — a 36.3% increase that lifted their share of total traffic to 48.1%.
March also stood out as the strongest single month overall, drawing 33,327 total visitors, a 47.3% rise that officials called the best month ever recorded.
The performance capped a quarter in which January, February and March each set records for their respective months, the tourism board said.
“Anguilla’s record-breaking first quarter performance reflects the strength of our tourism product, and reaffirms Anguilla’s position as a leading premier destination,” Cardigan Connor, Minister of Health, Sports and Tourism, said in a statement.
Jameel Rochester, director of tourism for the Anguilla Tourist Board, attributed the gains to “collaborative destination marketing, enhanced connectivity, and the strength of our visitor experience.”
The data come as Anguilla continues to position itself as an inviting, low-density destination known for its white-sand beaches, boutique resorts, stunning villas, exceptional cuisine, and relaxed upscale appeal.
