Warped Divi Divi trees line the beaches while windsurfer kites fill the sky on this tiny Caribbean island that has everything you need for a perfect beach vacation. Flamingos, donkeys, ostriches and butterflies are just the beginning. Shipwrecks tucked in turquoise water, fresh cocktails enjoyed on white sand and deserts hiding natural rock pools all await you in Aruba.
Courtesy of Aruba Tourism
Aruba Beaches
This Dutch Caribbean island packs a punch for being only 21 miles long. Known for year-round trade winds and temperate, sunny weather, Aruba makes a perfect vacation spot for families, extreme sports lovers, couples, divers and friends.
On the island of smiles, you don’t have to choose this or that for your beach vacation. Windsurf on Hadicurari Beach, shop in designer stores in Oranjestad or simply soak up the sun with the whole family at a world-class beach resort on Palm Beach or Eagle Beach. Daytime activities keep your feet in the sand and nighttime offers everything from gourmet dining on the beach to bustling clubs and casinos. And if that’s not enough, venture through the desert to a hidden rock pool or visit with flamingos, donkeys and butterflies with the kids. If you’re visiting during January or February, prepare for the party of a lifetime—the whole of Aruba lights up for Carnival celebrations with pageants, parades, live calypso music and parties!
Arashi Beach
Dotted by inviting palapa huts that provide valuable shade to sun-beat travelers, Arashi beach is the last strip of sand you’ll come across before reaching California Lighthouse on the northern part of the island. Pristine white sand and calm, azure waters are not the only reasons it’s a popular swimming spot among locals. Arashi beach has a very diverse marine ecosystem home to several species of exotic fish and a spectacular seabed full of colorful soft coral. On windy days, sunbathers give way to bodyboarders and surfers on the hunt of the perfect wave.
Eagle Beach
Consistently ranking among the top beaches worldwide, Eagle beach is famous for its fine white sand and crystal-clear waters. It is surprisingly wide—considering how small the island of Aruba is—and home to the iconic Divi-Divi trees that you have probably seen in numerous travel brochures promoting the island. Apart from sunbathing and relaxing on powdery sands, Eagle beach is a great spot for seaside gymnastics, as there are plenty of water sports on offer and beach tennis matches taking place over the weekends. The idyllic location is also favored by sea-turtles that nest and lay their eggs among sea grapes and coconut palms.
Baby Beach
Baby Beach is a stunning bow-shaped stretch of white sand that encloses an aquamarine lagoon with a manmade jetty. It is located on the southern tip of Aruba, less than an hour’s drive from Palm Beach and it takes its name from the very calm and shallow waters that make it an ideal swimming spot for toddlers and timid swimmers alike.
Snorkelers usually head towards the breakwaters’ edge where there are plenty of fish and coral formations to see. You don’t need to worry about bringing your own equipment as everything is available for rent. Keep in mind, however, that there are strong underwater currents outside the lagoon and that you have to stay within the appointed snorkeling area at all times. On the beach, you will also find a snack bar called Big Mama’s Grill that serves delicious burgers, hot dogs and seafood platters.
Mangel Halto Beach
Located on the southwest coast of Aruba, Mangel Halto Beach is one of the island’s most secluded and adventurous beaches. The large mangroves here that the beach is named after create incredible underwater scenery. Naturally, Mangel Halto is frequented by shore divers and snorkeling enthusiasts who seek to witness its astonishingly rich marine life. Coral reefs, parrot fish, sponges, anemones and octopi will make a diving excursion definitely worth your while.
The beach’s shallow waters allow visitors to walk all the way to the edge of the reef before gearing up and diving in the crystal-clear water. A wooden sun deck stretching from the rocks at the side of the bay is used as the starting point for kayaks and stand-up paddleboarders.
Courtesy of Aruba Tourism
Hadicurari Beach
Those of you interested in watersports and windsurfing, in particular, have probably already heard all about this one. Hadicurari Beach, also known as the Fishermen’s Huts Beach, is one of the most picturesque spots on Aruba. As the name implies, there are several colorful fisherman huts adorning the sandy shore between the sea and the lush green backdrop.
Hadicurari Beach’s claim to fame is strong winds and shallow waters that make it an excellent surfing spot.
Palm Beach
Palm Beach is beyond doubt Aruba’s most popular and crowded beach offering a vast variety of options for every type of traveler. Across the two-mile-long beach, you’ll find numerous luxurious resorts, high-end casinos, spas, beach bars, restaurants and souvenir shops. Calm waters make it perfect for having some family fun at the beach by swimming, snorkeling and paddleboarding. Couples that prefer fancy cocktails and socializing in front beach bars during happy hour or having romantic barefoot dinners on white sand while admiring the sunset will find all that and more here.
Come sundown, Palm Beach is bustling with a vibrant nightlife. Water fountain shows, lively nightclubs, casinos and cinema theaters guarantee an entertaining night out.
Courtesy of Aruba Tourism Authority
Flamingo Beach
Located on the artificial Renaissance Island in Oranjestad, Flamingo Beach is one of the very few private beaches in Aruba. If you’re lucky, you can take part in an extraordinary experience—sharing the beach with a flamboyance of flamingos. And that’s not all—you can also walk up to the birds and take photos with them as they are very tame and quite accustomed to visitors. On days when the beach is not too crowded, Renaissance Aruba Resort issues a limited number of day-passes for non-guests.
Manchebo Beach
Just a few minutes away from Eagle Beach on the western side of the island, Manchebo Beach is the perfect choice for honeymooners, couples on romantic getaways and those who want to skip the crowds. Even though a lot quieter than the rest of Aruba’s beaches, Manchebo is just as impressive. Turquoise waters meet fine white sand to create amazing scenery. The near-complete absence of jet skis and water sports assure a laid-back atmosphere and a peaceful day at the beach.
Druif Beach
For those that want to avoid the everyday hustle and bustle of Palm Beach but still be close enough to enjoy all that it has to offer, Druif Beach might just be a perfect choice. Its crescent-shaped bay features a strip of ivory sand and azure waters that offer amazing oceanside vistas. Being connected to adjacent beaches to create a seemingly unending aisle of sand between the sea and the palm-trees, make it the absolute destination for long romantic strolls and jogging sessions. Druif Beach is also popular for beach volleyball as well as the favorite resting station of Aruban pelicans.
Courtesy of Aruba Tourism
Boca Keto Beach
Boca Keto is situated on the eastern side of Aruba and it’s probably the most difficult-to-reach beach on the island, as it requires a long drive through the magnificent Arikok National Park. While for most visitors this is a demoralizing factor, more adventurous travelers see it as the most exciting part of the experience and are eager to drive or even hike through the park to discover this hidden gem. Steep dirt roads lead towards the famous Conchi Pool and then swirl up north to approach Boca Keto Beach.
It’s highly recommended to head there in an off-road vehicle or book an ATV tour, as the route can be quite challenging to drive in a conventional car. Still, you will have to walk the last part of the track before being rewarded by the astonishing view of Boca Keto Beach.