Beaches in Aruba
Aruba's beaches are the island's main draw, and the southwest coast is where most of them are. Eagle Beach is the one most visitors head for: a wide stretch of soft white sand with the wind-bent fofoti trees, palapas for shade and beach bars close by. Surfside and Baby Beach offer calmer, shallower water for a lighter day.
Places to go
Eagle Beach
Eagle Beach is a long, wide stretch of soft white sand on Aruba's west coast, with wind-bent fofoti trees, palapas and calm water for swimming. It is one of the island's best-known beaches.
Baby Beach
Baby Beach is a shallow, sheltered lagoon at the southeast tip of Aruba, near San Nicolas. The calm water makes it one of the easiest places on the island to wade, float and snorkel.
Palm Beach
Palm Beach is the busy main strip of sand in front of most of Aruba's high-rise hotels. It is the island's resort hub, with restaurants, bars and water sports close by.
Surfside Beach
Surfside Beach is a sandy stretch on Aruba's southwest coast, near downtown Oranjestad. It is the beach to reach for an easy swim in shallow, calm water.
Natural Pool
Conchi, also called the Natural Pool or Cura di Tortuga, is a small saltwater tide pool on Aruba's wild north coast. You reach it inside Arikok National Park, across rough volcanic rock.
Arashi Beach
Arashi Beach is a calm, shallow stretch of white sand on Aruba's northwestern coast, near the California Lighthouse. A reef lies about 150 meters offshore, and it is known for snorkeling and diving.
Boca Catalina
Boca Catalina is a small bay near Malmok on Aruba's northwest coast, with a little sandy beach, some rocky areas and a reef close to shore. People come to swim out and snorkel over it.
Tours to book
Prices are per person, booked with our partner, Shore Excursions Group.
Aruba Coastline, Urirama Cove, Beach and Horseback Riding
What to expect
A beach day here usually starts at Eagle Beach. Many visitors rent a chair and umbrella, swim in the gentle water and have lunch at one of the beach bars. Chairs and umbrellas can be rented at various spots, and the sand itself is always free to use.
Surfside Beach is the nearest real beach. It has shallow calm water, beach bars and chair rentals. Baby Beach, at the southeast tip near San Nicolas, is a shallow lagoon-style bay that suits small children. It is the choice for a longer, slower day.
Where to go
- Palm Beach. The busy resort strip in front of most high-rise hotels, with restaurants, bars and water sports nearby. Good for a sunset drink. By Arubus public bus or taxi.
Getting there
Eagle Beach is on the southwest coast and easy to reach by taxi.
When to go
The weather is warm and dry through the year, so the beaches work in any month. Sunset is the busiest time at the beach bars on Palm and Eagle Beach.
Good to know
- Eagle Beach is a public beach, so you can bring a cooler and sit under its palm trees.
- Public beaches are free. A day pass at a resort buys its facilities, not the sand.
- Baby Beach is at the southeast tip of the island, so plan the trip there and back with the time in mind.
- The northeast coast is exposed to the Atlantic, with rough seas and currents, so stick to the southwest beaches for swimming.
Questions
What is the best beach in Aruba?
Eagle Beach is the most popular choice. It has wide soft white sand, palapas, rentable chairs and beach bars. Surfside Beach has calm, shallow water.
Which Aruba beach is best for small children?
Baby Beach, at the southeast tip near San Nicolas, is a shallow, sheltered lagoon-style bay. Surfside Beach also has calm water.
