Sombrero Lighthouse: Guardian of the Anegada Passage

A historical lighthouse on a unique island, guiding ships through the Anegada Passage and offering a haven for seabirds.

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Sombrero Lighthouse

Perched on the flat, rocky Sombrero Island, this automated lighthouse marks the eastern edge of the Anegada Passage, a vital sea route between the Caribbean and the Atlantic. While the island itself offers a stark, moon-like landscape, the lighthouse stands as a beacon of navigation and a testament to maritime history.

A brief summary to Sombrero Lighthouse

Sombrero lsland, AI

Monday 12 am-5 am

Local tips

Obtain permission from the Anguilla National Trust before visiting, as they manage access to the island.
Wear sturdy shoes suitable for climbing a steel ladder from the boat to the island's rocky surface.
Bring your own food and water, as there are no facilities available on Sombrero Island.
Visit during the early morning or late afternoon for cooler temperatures and stunning views.
Respect the wildlife and follow the guidance of the Anguilla National Trust conservation officers to minimize disturbance to the birds and lizards.

Other nearby places you may find interesting

Sombrero

Sombrero Island: A Seabird Sanctuary

Great Bay

Great Bay: Gateway to Dog Island's Untamed Beauty

Paresseuse Hideaway

Paresseuse Hideaway: A Tranquil Anguillan Escape

Getting There

Boat

The only way to reach Sombrero Island is by boat. You'll need to charter a boat from Anguilla, a journey of approximately 34 miles, or about 90 minutes. Contact the Anguilla National Trust to arrange a visit and potentially join one of their excursions. Be prepared for a climb up a steel ladder from the boat to the island. Typical boat charter costs can vary significantly, so it's best to inquire directly with the Anguilla National Trust for current pricing. As a rough estimate, a private charter may cost around $2,000 for a group of four. However, if space is available on a pre-scheduled trip with the Anguilla National Trust, the cost may be significantly less.

Discover more about Sombrero Lighthouse

Sombrero Lighthouse stands on Sombrero Island, a flat, uninhabited, and rocky island that's part of Anguilla. The island, once topped with forest, got its name because it resembled a hat. However, years of guano mining stripped the island of its vegetation, leaving a unique, almost lunar landscape. The lighthouse marks the Anegada Passage, a crucial shipping lane for vessels traveling from Europe into the Caribbean. The original lighthouse, built in 1868 by an American company extracting phosphate, was a skeletal tower. It was managed by the British Board of Trade by 1893. In 1931, the light system was upgraded, and the tower received concrete encasement. Hurricane Donna severely damaged it in 1960, leading to a replacement in 1962. The current automated lighthouse, donated by Trinity House, has been in operation since 2001. It's a white cylindrical tower, 15 meters (49 ft) high, with a light reaching 17 nautical miles (20 mi). Today, the Anguilla Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources maintains the aids to navigation since 2001. Sombrero Island offers a unique destination for sustainable excursions, especially for bird enthusiasts. The island is home to vast nesting colonies of various seabirds, including Bridled Terns and Brown Boobies. The Sombrero Island lizard is found nowhere else in the world.