The Beautiful Beaches of Aruba

Despite its small size and flat landscape, Aruba boasts a variety of stunning beaches, including those within the picturesque Arikok National Park.

From the well-developed Palm Beach with its beachfront hotels and cafes to the quiet and lesser-known gems, there is a beach in Aruba for every preference, offering a chance to escape the crowds. The west side of the island also offers fantastic sunset views.

Aruba’s beaches are characterized by crystal-clear blue waters and powdery white sands, perfect for swimming and unwinding beneath a thatched palapa while sipping on refreshing beverages. It is unquestionably one of the top activities to partake in while visiting Aruba.

After personally exploring almost every beach on the island over a few weeks, we have compiled a comprehensive list of the best beaches in Aruba for you to enjoy!

Accommodation Options in Aruba

If you are looking for the perfect place to stay in Aruba, here are some top recommendations:

1. Eagle Resort: Located in a beautiful setting, Eagle Resort offers a relaxing stay with top-notch amenities.

2. Ritz-Carlton: Known for luxury and comfort, the Ritz-Carlton is a popular choice for those seeking a lavish experience.

3. Radisson Blu: Offering modern accommodations and excellent service, Radisson Blu is a great option for travelers.

4. Holiday Inn: A popular choice for families and budget-conscious travelers, Holiday Inn provides a comfortable and affordable stay.

Top Aruba Beaches to Explore

1. Palm Beach

Palm Beach stands as Aruba’s largest and most bustling beach, boasting high-rise resorts, a plethora of dining options, bars, shopping experiences, and an array of watersports activities.

While it tends to be quite busy, Palm Beach offers a pleasant environment for swimming and unwinding. For a delightful refreshment at Palm Beach, consider visiting Eduardo’s Beach Shack, renowned for its fresh fruit smoothie bowls topped with ice cream and Hawaiian poké bowls featuring fresh veggies.

Indulge in a selection of fruits like banana, kiwi, mango, and pineapple, accompanied by ice cream, making it a perfect snack to enjoy on a scorching beach day.

Accommodation Recommendations for Palm Beach: Radisson Blu or Hilton Resort

Palm Beach is renowned as Aruba’s largest beach

Enjoy a delightful fruit bowl from Eduardo’s Beach Shack, a beloved spot on Palm Beach

2. Eagle Beach

Eagle Beach, located in Aruba, is a stunning stretch of coastline known for its white sand and azure waters. One of its standout features is the picturesque Fofoti tree, which has become an iconic symbol of the island.

This beach is a favorite among visitors for its soft sands and gentle waves, making it ideal for families and individuals alike. Praised as one of the top beaches globally, Eagle Beach offers amenities such as swings, cafes, and charming thatch umbrellas along the shoreline.

Among the first beaches we explored in Aruba, Eagle Beach remains a cherished destination for us to this day!

Accommodation Options Near Eagle Beach: Tropicana Aruba Resort or Condominium Residences

Eagle Beach stands out as one of Aruba’s finest beach destinations!

3. Arashi Beach

Arashi Beach stands out in northern Aruba due to its natural beauty and minimal development.

It boasts the typical Aruban features of pristine white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters. The beach offers limited amenities, with the Arashi Beach Shack providing food, drinks, and restroom facilities.

One of the highlights of Arashi Beach is its reputation as a prime sunset viewing location, attracting visitors who gather each evening to witness the breathtaking sight.

4. Baby Beach

Baby Beach, located in southern Aruba near San Nicolas, is a popular destination known for its beautiful curved shoreline within a natural bay. Accessible with a 45-minute drive from Eagle Beach or Palm Beach, this beach offers calm waters ideal for swimming and snorkeling activities. Ample free parking is available, and the addition of hotels nearby makes it a convenient spot to visit. While it may not be a hidden gem anymore, Baby Beach remains a must-see location and is considered one of the top beaches in Aruba.

5. Flamingo Beach (Renaissance Island)

Make sure to visit Flamingo Beach on Renaissance Island during your trip to Aruba. This popular spot is home to a group of stunning flamingos that freely roam the island, creating a picturesque setting for both children and adults to enjoy. You can interact with the flamingos, feed them, and capture memorable moments with them.

Renaissance Island is a semi-private retreat connected to the Renaissance Wind Creek Resort. Guests of the hotel can access the island for free, while outsiders have the option to purchase a day pass. Although this may come at a cost, the opportunity to experience the flamingo island is truly unique and memorable.

The beach itself is spectacular, offering a stylish and relaxing atmosphere, complete with great swimming spots, dining options, and convenient facilities. Additionally, visitors can enjoy complimentary sunbeds for a truly leisurely experience.

6. Iguana Beach (Renaissance Island)

The beach located on Renaissance Island known as Iguana Beach derives its name from the friendly green lizards that inhabit the area. These iguanas are harmless creatures, although they may attempt to snatch food left unattended by visitors.

Iguana Beach offers a great swimming experience with plenty of complimentary sunbeds available. Similar to the flamingo beach, it benefits from protection by an artificial reef, ensuring calm waters suitable for individuals of all ages.

Visitors have the option to rent luxurious cabanas by the beach for an additional fee, and there are also free hammocks available for relaxation. It is an ideal spot to spend a leisurely day!

7. Boca Catalina

Boca Catalina, located in northern Aruba, is a serene and picturesque beach that often gets overshadowed by the more popular Arashi Beach nearby.

This unspoiled gem offers crystal-clear waters and a tranquil atmosphere, perfect for those seeking a peaceful beach experience. While some tour boats do visit for snorkeling activities, Boca Catalina remains relatively uncrowded, allowing visitors to enjoy its beauty in peace.

If you visit Boca Catalina, be sure to keep an eye out for pelicans and consider staying to catch the breathtaking sunset, as the beach offers a stunning view. However, it’s essential to note that shade is limited during the day, so bringing a hat and sunscreen is highly recommended for a comfortable stay.

Boca Catalina stands out as a hidden treasure and possibly one of the most delightful beaches in Aruba.

8. Savaneta Beach

Also referred to as Santo Largo, Savaneta Beach is a hidden treasure located in the southern region of Aruba. Despite being one of the more secluded beaches along the west coast, it is easily accessible by car, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a peaceful and private beach experience.

During our visits, we encountered only a handful of other visitors at Savaneta Beach. With minimal development, the shallow waters may not be ideal for swimming, but the presence of trees providing shade and the overall tranquility of the surroundings make it a serene and unparalleled spot to unwind.

9. Boca Grandi

Boca Grandi, situated in the southeast corner of Aruba near San Nicolas, is a popular destination for kitesurfing enthusiasts.

Although Boca Grandi offers a picturesque beach for leisurely walks and photography opportunities, it faces a challenge with the presence of litter along its shores, highlighting the need for a cleanup initiative. Despite this, the beach is frequented by kitesurfers, with a kitesurfing school available and enthusiasts often seen riding the waves.

The area’s strong winds and currents make it unsuitable for swimming, but ideal for kitesurfing activities. Even for non-kitesurfers, observing the dynamic kitesurfing scene at Boca Grandi can be quite entertaining!

10. Rodger’s Beach

Rodger’s Beach is a lesser-known spot in southern Aruba, close to the popular Baby Beach. While not as expansive as Baby Beach, it offers excellent sand and water quality. Despite not matching Baby Beach in overall features, its serene environment with fewer crowds can be a welcome retreat.

11. Boca Keto

Boca Keto, located within Arikok National Park, is a secluded twin beach accessible only by hiking or off-roading.

Swimming is not advised at Boca Keto due to its potentially hazardous conditions, with limited assistance available in case of emergencies.

Despite the swimming restrictions, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views and a unique rock formation known as ‘Klein Aruba,’ resembling a miniature version of the island from above. The beauty of this sight can be seen in the image below.

We had a peaceful experience hiking to Boca Keto from Daimari Bay, encountering no other individuals during our visit.

Read More: Best Hikes In Aruba

12. Dos Playa

Dos Playa consists of two picturesque beaches located within the Arikok National Park. Accessible by car from the main road in Arikok, any vehicle can reach it, although a Jeep or 4×4 with high clearance is recommended due to the rough road conditions.

This beach is typically uncrowded and offers stunning photo opportunities, with large waves crashing on the rocky shoreline. However, swimming here is not advisable.

Considered one of the top Aruba beaches, Dos Playa stands out for its breathtaking scenery and convenient proximity to other popular attractions in the Arikok National Park, such as the Fontein Cave, which is just a short 10-minute drive away.

13. Wariruri Beach

Located just outside Arikok National Park, Wariruri Beach offers similar features such as a captivating sea cave and a large natural bridge that visitors can explore on foot.

This beach is renowned for exciting activities like horseback riding and ATV tours in Aruba, providing a picturesque backdrop for memorable photographs. Accessible by any vehicle, the road to Wariruri may be uneven in some spots, making high clearance vehicles advantageous.

If you’re visiting the Bushiribana Ruins, it’s a quick 5 to 10-minute drive to reach this Aruban beach, allowing you to easily combine both attractions in a single trip!

Book Now: Aruba Horseback Riding

14. Mangel Halto

Mangel Halto is a serene beach encircled by mangroves and a coral reef, creating a tranquil environment with shallow waters.

While considered a peaceful location, it is not exactly a hidden paradise as it attracts many tourists and families who enjoy sunbathing and wading in the gentle waters.

Ample parking is available at Mangel Halto, with various spots to relax and unwind, although the shaded areas tend to fill up quickly unless visited early in the day.

15. Malmok Beach

Malmok Beach may be rocky in parts, but there are still opportunities to swim in its turquoise waters. It is renowned for being a prime location to observe wild pelicans in their natural habitat.

Visitors to Malmok Beach can enjoy the sight of catamarans and pirate boats on day tours, making it a picturesque spot for photography. The sunsets over the water are particularly stunning here.

For those interested in snorkeling at Malmok Beach, wearing water shoes is advisable. Keep an eye out for beautiful tropical fish and perhaps even sea turtles swimming in the area!

16. Hadicurari Beach

Hadicurari Beach, located just north of Palm Beach, offers a more tranquil and less crowded setting compared to its bustling neighbor.

Primarily known for windsurfing and kitesurfing, Hadicurari Beach benefits from consistent strong winds, making it ideal for enthusiasts. Visitors can also take lessons from the schools available on the beach.

As the day transforms into evening, Hadicurari Beach becomes a prime spot for watching the sunset, with passing boats adding to the picturesque scene. This beach stands out as one of the best sunset viewing locations in Aruba, attracting repeat visits from appreciative spectators.

Hadicurari is renowned as one of Aruba’s premier sunset destinations.

17. Blackstone Beach

Located near Arikok National Park, Blackstone Beach stands out as one of the most distinctive beaches in Aruba. While not suitable for swimming due to its strong currents, this secluded beach boasts smooth black rocks and a rare three-pronged natural bridge known as the Tripod Bridge. It is a remarkable rock formation, making it the only beach in Aruba with black sand or rocks.

You can access Blackstone Beach by embarking on a one-kilometer hike from the parking lot near Aruba’s renowned Natural Bridge, a popular attraction for day tours. Some ATV and UTV tours also offer specific trips to Blackstone Beach.

Blackstone Beach is one of the most unique Aruba beaches

18. Grapefield Beach

Grapefield Beach in Aruba is known for its secluded and tranquil atmosphere, with minimal crowds making it a peaceful retreat.

Accessible either by car or a leisurely walk from Boca Grandi, a popular kitesurfing beach, Grapefield boasts a long stretch of pristine white sand. Visitors should be cautious when driving to the beach as the road transitions to sand towards the end, requiring careful navigation on hard-packed sand to avoid getting stuck.

While swimming is an option at Grapefield Beach, it is advisable to remain close to the shore due to potentially strong currents. Enjoy the crystal-clear turquoise waters for a refreshing and relaxing experience.

Grapefield Beach is renowned for its secluded charm in Aruba

Discover the Top Aruba Beaches with This Map

Explore a selection of the finest beaches in Aruba through this interactive map. These stunning beach destinations are conveniently accessible for visitors to enjoy.

Click on the markers on the map to access additional details and guidance to each notable site. Please note that while this map offers valuable insights, the exact locations may vary slightly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Top Aruba Tours to Explore

Aruba Hotels

If you are planning a trip to Aruba and looking for the best places to stay, consider these top hotel options:

• Eagle Resort
• Ritz-Carlton
• Radisson Blu
• Holiday Inn

Exploring More of Aruba

Thank you for exploring the top Aruba beaches with me. The island offers a plethora of beautiful beaches for visitors to enjoy.

Make sure to browse through the other travel guides on Aruba on my blog for more insight before planning your trip!