12 Best Aruba Beaches for Splashing and Sunning

Adina Keeling Avatar
A pink flamingo standing on a shallow beach in Aruba.
Photo credit: Kimberly Miles

Paradise awaits you in Aruba. Located 15 miles north of Venezuela, the Caribbean island is known for its blue waters, white sand beaches and year-round sun. Albeit small, Aruba has everything travelers will need for a dreamy beach vacation. It’s one of our top picks for a November getaway!

Home to some of the best beaches in the Caribbean, Aruba has something for all kinds of beach-goers. While Palm Beach is located alongside a bustling urban strip, Rodgers Beach offers a more secluded beach getaway. Andicuri Beach is a hot spot for bodyboarders and Baby Beach is a favorite among families. No matter your beach preference, we have you covered with this list of the best Aruba beaches.

1. Baby Beach

True to its name, Baby Beach is perfect for families traveling with young children. The beach is located on the southeastern coast of Aruba in a man-made lagoon with calm, shallow water, where children can safely play in the water. The beach features soft white sand and turquoise waters with little waves.

Beach-goers can rent snorkeling gear, beach beds or beach chairs. There are concession stands on the beaches and nearby restaurants and shops. There is also a parking lot with plenty of available spaces.

2. Eagle Beach

Eagle Beach has been recognized as one of the world’s top beaches, and it’s no surprise why. Stretching for .7 miles, this beach features pristine white sands, calm blue waters and a highly-photographed set of Fofoti trees.

The beach is also rich in marine life. Crabs and colorful fish swim in the water, and sea turtles can be found nesting on the beach between March and September.

The beach is located in the Oranjestad neighborhood, known for its low-rise beach resorts. There are plenty of nearby restaurants, bars and shops. Those looking to stay close to Eagle Beach can stay in one of the neighborhood’s many luxurious beach resorts.

3. Palm Beach

There’s lots to do at Palm Beach! The two-mile-long beach is lined with high-rise hotels, including the popular Hilton Aruba, water sports concessions, shops, restaurants, bars and casinos. After an afternoon of sunbathing, beach-goers can watch the sunset at a beach bar or experience the area’s vibrant nightlife.

This beach is also extremely family-friendly, as the water is shallow and well-patrolled. In addition to swimming and lounging in the sun, families can go snorkeling, kayaking, parasailing or horseback riding on the beach.

4. Arashi Beach

Arashi Beach is a great option for those seeking a quieter beach experience. Located just south of the California Lighthouse on the northwestern tip of Aruba, Arashi Beach is a beautiful beach popular among the locals. Teeming with vibrant marine life, the beach has some great fishing and snorkeling spots. It’s also popular among surfers and windsurfers.

A more secluded beach, Arashi Beach does have a snack shack, a parking lot and some cabanas that provide shade, but there are few other amenities so come prepared.

5. Malmok Beach

Adjacent to Arashi Beach, Malmok Beach is another popular snorkeling beach. With clear waters, colorful coral formations and an abundance of tropical fish, the beach attracts many snorkel tours from across the island. The beach’s proximity to the Antilla shipwreck, one of the Caribbean’s most famous dive sites, adds an adventurous twist to the snorkeling experience.

The sand at Malmok Beach does have some pebbles and small stones, so beach-goers may want to bring some water shoes. Beach-goers can also visit the beach via a catamaran or sailboat tour.

SheBuysTravel Tip: One of our favorite things to do when taking a beach vacation is to hire a photographer for family photos. This is a special gift and souvenir that we cherish. We use Flytographer to book a local photographer located in the area that we’re traveling to. Use this link and you will get $25 off your photo session.

6. Manchebo Beach

Located on Aruba’s southwestern coast, Manchebo Beach is a romantic and serene stretch of coastline with powdery white sand and clear blue water. The beach’s peaceful ambiance and breathtaking sunsets make it a popular choice for romantic walks along the shore.

The beach is located in front of Manchebo Beach Resort and Spa, a two-story boutique resort which organizes beachfront yoga sessions open to the public. There are also plenty of nearby restaurant and shops.

7. Flamingo Beach

Flamingo Beach is the place to be if you want to see, yup you guessed it, flamingos! This highly-Instagrammable beach is located on a private island called Renaissance Island. The island belongs to the Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort, and visitors have to be either guests at the resort or pay for a $125 day pass in order to visit the island. The day pass includes transportation to the island, as well as a meal, a cocktail and various water sport rentals.

The flamingos roam the island freely, particularly the beach, and beach-goers can take pictures with them or feed them. Those traveling with children may want to rethink visiting the island, as children can only visit Flamingo Beach for one hour in the morning. Otherwise, the beach is adults-only.

When not photographing flamingos, visitors can relax in lounge chairs or palapas on nearby Iguana Beach or grab a bite to eat at Papagayo Bar & Grill.

8. Boca Catalina

Nestled between Malmok Beach and Arashi Beach on Aruba’s northwestern coast, Boca Catalina Beach is a secluded cove with warm, clear water. The beach is a local favorite and there are opportunities to go windsurfing and kitesurfing her. Boca Catalina is a particularly popular spot for snorkeling. Visitors can expect to see parrotfish, starfish, squid and occasionally sea turtles. You may even get lucky and see a pod of dolphins.

Trees along the beach provide some shade. There are also cabanas and beach chairs for rent, but the beach has few other facilities, so stock up on snacks and drinks before your visit.

9. Dos Playa Beach

Dos Playa Beach can be found inside Arikok National Park on the northeastern coast of Aruba. This national park makes up nearly 20% of the island, and is home to beautiful unspoiled nature, unique rock formations and dozens of bird species.

Surrounded by this rich natural beauty, Dos Playa Beach is a great place to relax after exploring the park. The beach is actually made of two different beaches named Dos Playa Grande and Dos Playa Chiquito. As the name suggests, Dos Playa Grande is the larger of the two beaches. It is known for its strong currents and powerful waves, making it popular among experienced surfers. Swimmers should exercise caution due to the rough conditions.

Just a short walk from Dos Playa Grande, Dos Playa Chiquito is smaller and more secluded. The water is calmer, better suited for swimming and snorkeling.

10. Mangel Halto Beach

Mangel Halto Beach is a hidden treasure on Aruba’s southeastern coast. The beach is known for its picturesque mangrove trees that line the shore. The water is shallow and there is a reef teeming with local wildlife, making the area particularly popular among snorkelers and divers.

Beach huts provide shade and some privacy. There is also a wooden sun deck as well as kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals. The beach can be a bit rocky, so bring water shoes.

11. Rodgers Beach

Located near the town of San Nicolas, Rodgers Beach is another secluded beach popular among locals. The beach is walking distance from popular Baby Beach, and is a great place to go if you’re avoiding crowds. With powdery white sand and calm waters, Rodgers Beach is the perfect place to unwind.

Fisherman anchor their boats at the end of the bay, and the colorful boats make for a great photo op. Local amenities include a local dive shop with snorkel and dive gear rentals. There is also a restaurant and showers.

12. Andicuri Beach

Andicuri Beach has gained the reputation as the best bodyboarding beach. It is located in a bay surrounded by coral reefs, and is known for its large waves, excellent for bodyboarders or surfers. There is soft sand for sunbathing and the cliffs provide some shade.

One of the island’s most secluded beaches, this beach can be difficult to find. It is only accessible by a 4×4 vehicle or by walking from the Natural Bridge, a frequently photographed attraction before it collapsed in 2005.

Adina Keeling is a freelance travel writer from San Diego, CA. She worked in local news for a year until her wanderlust drew her to Costa Rica, where she is now based while freelancing and traveling the world. She has lived in three different countries and traveled to 27. An avid solo traveler, Adina wants to empower other women to safely travel alone.
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