Aruba Beaches
Aruba is known for its elongated white sandy beaches, the sun and the constant trade winds. And there’s plenty of room for everyone on the beach to enjoy and relax under a Palapa in the shade on your rented or your own brought beach chair.
All beaches in Aruba are public, even at the hotels. So don’t let anyone (security) from a hotel sent you away.
On the north side of the island the sea is much rougher. Find bays carved from limestone and inlets formed by the relentless pounding waves. Because of the strong current and waves, swimming is not recommended.
Arashi Beach
Arashi Beach is the most northern beach on the edge of a beautiful residential area. It’s on the road leading to the California Lighthouse. Arashi Beach is family friendly and a favorite for the locals and the beach has Palapa’s and a large parking lot.
Malmok Beach (Boca Catalina)
Malmok Beach is a narrow strip of sand. It’s on the road to Arashi Beach with the big beach villas. With its shallow clear water, this Caribbean beach is a popular spot for snorkeling. Here you will see quite a few boats and catamarans that will dock for snorkeling. Because of the nearby reefs and wrecks this is also a perfect place for scuba diving. Boca Catalina is a small, secluded bay accessible by stairs, perfect for a private scuba dive.
Hadicurari Beach
Hadicurari Beach (Fisherman’s Huts) is a rocky strip beyond the Ritz Carlton Resort. It is a popular beach for (learning) kiting, windsurfing and the location for water sport events and tournaments throughout the year.
Palm Beach
The famous two-mile strip known as Palm Beach is home to the High Rise Hotels and dotted with water sports activities, piers, beach bars, restaurants and shops. The calm water makes it a comfortable haven for swimmers and snorkelers. A walk along the shore at sunrise or sunset is a perfect start or finish of the day. Moomba Beach is a cozy bar on the beach with free sun beds where you can enjoy a drink with nice (live) music.
Eagle Beach
Eagle Beach is an elongated and broad beach on the way of the Low Rise hotels. There is enough parking, shaded picnic areas, Palapa’s and water sports. For this beach fill up your cooler with drinks, snacks and ice and enjoy your time here. During Easter it’s full of tents where local families enjoy the annual camping tradition.
Manchebo Beach
Just past the low-rise resorts is Manchebo Beach, named after an Arawak chief, where you can still undisturbed enjoy the Caribbean beach. This very wide strip of flat beach is dotted with swaying palm trees and an occasional lounge chair. This beach is located on the westernmost point of the island and is also known as Punta Brabo. At the Manchebo hotel, you can also enjoy massage in cabanas on the beach with sea views.
Druif Beach
Druif Beach is a long, narrow oval strip of ivory sand beach and is the first beach starting at the Low Rise hotels. At this beach of Aruba, the rooms are just steps away from the relatively calm Caribbean sea, but not too far from downtown Oranjestad. Druif Beach is a quiet and relaxing place to sunbathe.
Nikki Beach / Surfside Beach
Quiet beach with calm waters located between the airport and Oranjestad. At Surfside beach bar you can rent lounge beds and enjoy a drink or some food. It’s a good place for spotting airplanes flying low because of the nearby airport.
Mangel Halto
Mangel Halto is located in Pos Chiquito on the southeast coast, just south of the Spanish Lagoon. This beach is a perfect sun and snorkeling spot with calm, shallow waters and rich marine life with mangroves. It is a secluded beach, perfect for a picnic and it has Palapa’s for shade. Mangel Alto is also an excellent spot for scuba diving. It it is even possible to walk to the edge of the reef and spot some tropical fish such as parrot fish, yellow tails and trigger fish. The reef drops off to a depth of 110 meters where you will find plenty of octopuses, moray eels and barracudas.
Baby Beach
Baby Beach is located in Seroe Colorado on the southeastern side of the island. This area was once known as “The Colony” because executives and their families lived in a gated community during the heyday of the Lago refinery. Baby Beach is a sandy beach in the shape of a half moon with very calm water. It is very child friendly, because the whole bay has very shallow water secluded from the open sea. On weekends you will find here many Arubans. Baby Beach is also an ideal place for snorkeling, but watch out for strong currents. You can rent chairs, get some drinks and eat something at Big Mama’s.
Rodgers Beach is a small, less touristy beach nearby, where fishermen anchor their boats.
