BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front): The Dune Preserve is not just a beach bar; it is a habitable art installation and the cultural anchor of Anguilla. Created by reggae legend Bankie Banx from shipwrecked boats and driftwood, it represents the island’s resilient, artistic soul. It stands as a gritty, authentic counterweight to the island’s polished 5-star resorts, offering the only place where billionaires and fishermen party barefoot together.
I have spent 15 years traveling the Caribbean, and I have seen enough “reggae bars” to last a lifetime. You know the type: plastic chairs, a Bob Marley poster from Walmart, and watered-down rum punch. The Dune Preserve is not that. It is a church of counter-culture.
When I send clients to Anguilla, they usually book the Four Seasons or the Cap Juluca. They want the white linens and the butler service. But I always tell them: “If you want to understand where you are, you have to go see Bankie.” Walking from the manicured lawns of the Aurora Resort onto the sandy, chaotic floor of the Dune Preserve is like stepping through a portal. You leave the commercial world and enter a pirate kingdom.
To understand the bar, you have to understand the man. Bankie Banx isn’t just a bar owner; he is a national treasure. In the 1970s and 80s, Bankie was touring the world, sharing stages with Jimmy Buffett and Bob Dylan. He had the hair, the rasp in his voice, and the swagger. But unlike many Caribbean artists who move to Miami or London and never look back, Bankie came home.
He didn’t come home to retire. He came home to build. He set up shop on a wild strip of Rendezvous Bay before it was developed. At the time, people thought he was crazy. Why build a shack on the dunes? But Bankie had a vision of Anguilla that wasn’t about marble lobbies. His vision was about the earth, the sea, and the music.
In my experience, meeting Bankie is part of the allure. He is often there, wearing his signature hat and sunglasses (even at night), holding court. He is cooler than you, and he knows it. But he is also incredibly welcoming. He created a space that leveled the playing field. I’ve seen former US Presidents sitting at the Dune next to local boat mechanics. Bankie’s presence forces everyone to drop the pretenses. You can’t be stiff when you are sitting on a bench made from a shipwreck.
His music is the soundtrack of the island. It’s a mix of reggae, folk, and jazz—often called “dune music.” It’s gritty. It tells stories of island life, of politics, of love. When you hear him perform live on that wooden stage, with the waves crashing ten feet behind him, you realize that this place is his instrument.
Most bars are built by contractors. The Dune Preserve was built by the ocean. Bankie calls it “planet trash.” The entire structure is a labyrinth of driftwood, old boat hulls, palm fronds, and seashells. It looks like a ship that crashed onto the shore and decided to start serving drinks.
The genius of the Dune is that it is alive. Every time a hurricane comes through (and they do come through), the Dune takes a hit. In 2017, Hurricane Irma absolutely devastated Anguilla. The Dune was flattened. I remember speaking to contacts on the island who were heartbroken, thinking it was the end.
But Bankie just started building again. He collected the debris the storm left behind and wove it into the new structure. This makes the bar a timeline of the island’s history. That piece of wood holding up the roof? That might be from a boat that sank in 1995. That bar stool? It might be driftwood from the last storm.
This aesthetic stands in stark contrast to the nearby resorts. Straight lines, white paint, imported marble. The Dune is twisted, gray, and weathered. It reminds you that nature is in charge here. It is safe, sturdy enough, but it creaks. It breathes. It is the most “Instagrammable” spot on the island not because it is pretty, but because it is raw.
If you can time your trip, you must go during Moonsplash. This is Bankie’s festival, usually held in March under the full moon. It started in 1991 as a small gathering of friends. Today, it is the longest-running independent music festival in the Eastern Caribbean.
I have booked itineraries specifically around this weekend. The island transforms. The harbor fills up with yachts from St. Barths and St. Martin. Artists like John Mayer, Jimmy Buffett, and major reggae stars have played the Dune stage. But they don’t play for the paycheck (there isn’t a massive corporate budget). They play for the vibe.
Moonsplash is the cultural heartbeat of the island. It proves that a tiny island like Anguilla can punch above its weight class culturally. It isn’t just a satellite of American tourism; it is a creator of culture. The festival brings money into the local economy—taxi drivers, hotels, food vendors all thrive during that week. It is a testament to the power of one man’s vision to uplift a community.
Even if you miss the festival, the spirit remains. The stage is always there. The pictures of past performers line the walls. You can feel the energy of thousands of nights of dancing soaked into the floorboards.
This is the most common question I get. We are used to celebrity-branded restaurants (like Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville) where the celebrity is never actually there. The Dune Preserve is different. Bankie Banx lives on the property. This is his home, his studio, and his living room.
While he does travel, if he is on the island, he is at the Dune. You will often find him leaning against the bar, smoking, or chatting with old friends. He performs regularly, usually on weekends or when the mood strikes him. He isn’t a recluse; he is a very visible host.
However, do not expect him to be your waiter. He is the King of the Dune. You approach him with respect. A simple nod or a “hello” is fine. If he is performing, sit back and listen. Watching him play “Prince of Darkness” live, with his harmonica wailing over the sound of the ocean, is a spiritual experience for music lovers.
Every legendary bar needs a legendary drink. At the Dune, it is “Dune Shine.” Do not confuse this with moonshine, though the effect might be similar. It is a fermented ginger drink, brewed in-house. It is sweet, spicy, and deceptive.
The recipe is a secret, but it involves fermented ginger, sugar, and spices. It is often served mixed with rum. The ginger heat masks the alcohol, making it incredibly easy to drink. I always warn my clients: One is medicinal, two is recreational, three is dangerous.
Because it is fermented, it has a probiotic quality (or so the locals claim). It settles the stomach. But the kick is real. If you aren’t a drinker, you can ask for the non-alcoholic version, but even that has a fiery ginger burn that clears your sinuses instantly. It captures the essence of the bar: spicy, natural, and strong.
Anguilla is a very family-friendly island, and the Dune Preserve reflects that… to a point. During the day (lunchtime and afternoon), it is absolutely kid-friendly. The location is right on Rendezvous Bay, which has calm, shallow water. Kids love the “pirate ship” look of the place. They can run around the sand, look at the shells embedded in the walls, and play on the beach while parents have a drink.
The menu has simple items like ribs and chicken that kids will eat. However, the vibe shifts after sunset. At night, especially on live music nights, the air gets smoky (and I don’t just mean tobacco smoke). It becomes an adult venue. The music gets louder, the crowd gets rowdier, and the conversation gets more adult.
My advice: Take the family for lunch. Let them explore the cool architecture. Come back with your partner or adult friends for the late-night show. It’s the best of both worlds.
This is a common sticker shock for visitors. You walk into a place made of driftwood with sand on the floor, and you see entrée prices that rival fine dining restaurants ($25-$40 USD). It feels mismatched.
Here is the reality of Anguilla: Everything is imported. The cost of doing business on the island is incredibly high. Electricity, water, and food supplies are premium. Furthermore, at the Dune, you are paying for the location and the legacy. You aren’t just buying grilled ribs; you are buying a ticket to a cultural institution.
The food is actually very good—it’s upscale BBQ. The ribs are famous, glazed with a sauce that pairs perfectly with the Dune Shine. The catch of the day is fresh, brought in by local fishermen. While it isn’t “cheap eats,” the portion sizes are decent. If you are on a strict budget, go for drinks and appetizers, but don’t skip the visit just because of the menu prices. You are paying for the atmosphere.
Planning for Moonsplash requires some foresight. The festival dates are determined by the full moon in March (sometimes April), so the dates shift every year. Bankie announces the dates usually a few months in advance on his social media or website.
Tickets: Unlike Coachella or Glastonbury, this isn’t a Ticketmaster situation. Historically, you could buy tickets at the door or at select local outlets on the island. Recently, they have moved to online sales for VIP packages, but general admission is often still cash at the gate. It is very “island style” logistics.
Accommodation: This is the harder part. Hotels on Rendezvous Bay (like Aurora) sell out months in advance for this weekend. If you want to go, you need to book your room 6 to 9 months out. If you are late, look for villas further out and rent a car.
The Insider Tip: Even if you don’t get the VIP table, the beach is public. Many locals sit on the dunes outside the perimeter and listen to the music for free. But buying a ticket supports the artist and keeps the festival alive, so I always encourage going inside.
From securing VIP tables at Moonsplash to finding the perfect villa within walking distance of the Dune, we handle the logistics so you can handle the relaxation.
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