Even though the island of Aruba is pretty small and flat, there are still lots of nice beaches in Aruba to enjoy, including some beautiful ones in the Arikok National Park.
Some of these areas, like Palm Beach, are very developed with beachfront hotels and cafes, while others are quiet and relatively unknown, allowing for a peaceful experience away from the crowds. A few spots on the west side of the island also provide great opportunities for sunset watching in the evening.
In general, Aruba beaches offer exceptionally clear blue water and soft white sand, perfect for swimming and relaxing under a palapa (thatched umbrella) with drinks. It’s undoubtedly one of the best experiences in Aruba.
We spent a couple of weeks trying to see every beach on the island, and we got pretty close. Here’s our complete list of the best beaches in Aruba!
Where To Stay In Aruba
Best Aruba Beaches
1. Palm Beach
Palm Beach is the biggest and busiest beach in Aruba, boasting high-rise resorts and plenty of restaurants, bars, shopping outlets, and watersports activities.
Even though it’s busy, this beach is excellent for swimming and relaxing. If you’re seeking a refreshing treat at Palm Beach, check out Eduardo’s Beach Shack, which offers fresh fruit smoothie bowls along with Hawaiian poké.
You can choose from various fruit ingredients like banana, kiwi, mango, and pineapple, paired with ice cream—making it a perfect snack for a hot day at the beach.
Where To Stay On Palm Beach: Radisson Blu or Hilton Resort
Fruit bowl from Eduardo’s Beach Shack—a favorite on Palm Beach.
2. Eagle Beach
Eagle Beach is another stunning, long beach in Aruba featuring white sand and blue water, along with the iconic Fofoti tree that has become an emblem of Aruba.
This beach is highly popular and known for its soft sand and calm waves, making it great for families with kids and others alike. It has been rated one of the best beaches globally. Expect to find swings, cafes, and plenty of thatch umbrellas lining the shore.
This was one of the first beaches we visited in Aruba, and it remains one of our favorites!
Where To Stay On Eagle Beach: Eagle Resort or Condominium Residences
3. Arashi Beach
Arashi Beach is the star of northern Aruba, and for good reason—it’s incredibly beautiful and still not too developed.
This beach features stunning white sand and vibrant turquoise water. Facilities include a small café named the Arashi Beach Shack, offering food and drinks, alongside restrooms. The beach remains fairly basic, allowing for an authentic experience.
As an added benefit, Arashi Beach is one of the best sunset spots in Aruba. People gather here every evening to enjoy the spectacular sunsets.
4. Baby Beach
Baby Beach is one of the most popular beaches in southern Aruba, located just outside the town of San Nicolas. It’s a relatively easy 45-minute drive from the Eagle Beach or Palm Beach area, and it’s well worth the visit.
This beautiful, curved beach sits within a natural bay, making the water gentle and ideal for swimming or snorkeling. You’ll find plenty of free parking at Baby Beach, and new hotels are starting to pop up in the area.
While it’s no longer a hidden gem, Baby Beach still deserves a visit. I’d confidently say it remains one of the best beaches in Aruba!
5. Flamingo Beach (Renaissance Island)
Don’t miss out on spending at least one day at Aruba’s famous ‘Flamingo Beach’ on Renaissance Island, inhabited by a dozen photogenic flamingos that roam the area freely. It’s a delightful experience for both kids and adults, allowing for feeding the flamingos or simply taking pictures with them.
This semi-private island is part of the Renaissance Wind Creek Resort. Access is free for hotel guests; others can purchase a day pass to visit Flamingo Island. Although it’s a bit pricey, the unique experience is worth it.
The beach is classy and beautiful, with excellent swimming, restaurants, and facilities, along with free sunbeds.
6. Iguana Beach (Renaissance Island)
The second beach on Renaissance Island is called Iguana Beach, named for the friendly green lizards that roam the area. These iguanas are harmless but might try to snag your food if you leave it unattended.
Iguana Beach is great for swimming and comes with plenty of free sunbeds. Similar to Flamingo Beach, it’s sheltered by an artificial reef, resulting in calm water suitable for all ages.
You can pay extra to rent luxury cabanas (huts) by the beach, and we discovered a free hammock that was amazing. It’s an idyllic spot for a day at the beach!
7. Boca Catalina
Boca Catalina is a charming and underrated beach in northern Aruba, just a stone’s throw from the more popular Arashi Beach.
It’s undeveloped and tranquil, featuring clear water and not too many visitors. Some tour boats bring guests here for snorkeling, but it’s rarely crowded. Boca Catalina is also known for its pelican sightings and is a prime sunset location.
This lovely beach offers little shade during the day, so be sure to bring a hat and sunscreen!
8. Savaneta Beach
Also known as Santo Largo, this beach is a hidden gem in southern Aruba.
Being one of the most secluded beaches on the western coast of the island, it’s easily accessible by car, making it an excellent place if you desire a quiet beach experience mostly to yourself.
We often encountered only a few other visitors at Savaneta. This beach is very basic, and while the water is a bit shallow for swimming, the shade provided by the trees and the peaceful atmosphere are hard to beat.
9. Boca Grandi
Boca Grandi is a prime location for kitesurfing in the southeast corner of Aruba, near San Nicolas.
This beach also offers a pleasant area for strolls and taking pictures; however, we were met with an unfortunate amount of trash washed up on the shore, highlighting the need for a cleanup. You’ll find a kitesurfing school here, and it’s consistently bustling with kitesurfers.
Due to the strong wind and currents at Boca Grandi, swimming is not advisable, yet it’s an excellent spot for kitesurfing. Even if you’re not kitesurfing yourself, it’s entertaining to watch!
10. Rodger’s Beach
Rodger’s Beach is another hidden gem located a short distance from the more famous Baby Beach, in southern Aruba.
While it’s not a lengthy beach, the sand and water here are fantastic. Although it doesn’t compare to Baby Beach, its quieter ambiance and fewer crowds can be an appealing alternative.
11. Boca Keto
Boca Keto is a rugged twin beach within the Arikok National Park, accessible only by hiking or off-roading.
Like many of the beaches in Arikok, swimming is not recommended due to potential dangers. In case of trouble, assistance may take considerable time to arrive.
However, the views are spectacular, featuring a distinct rock formation called ‘Klein Aruba’ (miniature Aruba), resembling a smaller version of Aruba from above! We relished hiking to this beach from Daimari Bay without encountering a single person!
12. Dos Playa
Dos Playa features a pair of picturesque beaches nestled in the Arikok National Park. This spot is reachable by car from the main road in Arikok, and while any vehicle can access it, be prepared for a very rough road—ideal for a Jeep or 4×4.
This usually uncrowded beach offers stunning photo opportunities, with crashing waves against the rocky coast. However, swimming can be hazardous, so enjoy the scenery and capture some memorable shots instead.
I’d rank this as one of the best beaches in Aruba for its remarkable views and easy access from popular locations in Arikok National Park, such as the Fontein Cave, located just 10 minutes away by car.
13. Wariruri Beach
Although Wariruri Beach lies outside the boundaries of the Arikok National Park, it shares some of the same stunning features, including an intriguing sea cave and a large natural bridge you can walk on.
This beach is popular for horseback riding and ATV tours. The scenery offers an excellent backdrop for memorable photographs. You can reach Wariruri in any vehicle; however, keep in mind that some portions of the road may be rutted, so having a higher clearance is beneficial.
Should you be coming from the Bushiribana Ruins, it takes only a 5 to 10-minute drive to reach this Aruba beach, allowing for easy exploration of both locations!
14. Mangel Halto
Mangel Halto is a tranquil beach surrounded by mangroves and a reef, yielding calm and shallow water.
This is a relaxed spot; while it may not be a hidden gem due to the usual presence of tourists and families soaking up the sun, it offers opportunities for enjoyable moments.
Ample parking is available at Mangel Halto, with numerous locations to set up a chair and chill for a while. However, shaded areas are often occupied unless you arrive early.
15. Malmok Beach
Malmok is almost too rocky to be classified strictly as a beach, yet there are a few spots where you can enter the water safely and swim. This area is also among the best places on the island for spotting wild pelicans, who are frequently seen here!
The water at Malmok is a striking turquoise, often attracting catamarans and pirate boats on day tours, making it an ideal spot for photos. The sunsets here can be spectacular as well.
Consider wearing water shoes if you plan to snorkel at Malmok Beach, as you might be lucky enough to encounter some beautiful fish and sea turtles!
16. Hadicurari Beach
Hadicurari is a breezy beach located just north of Palm Beach, though it’s far less developed and considerably quieter.
This beach serves primarily as a spot for windsurfing and kitesurfing due to its consistent strong winds. Schools are available here, offering lessons for beginners.
During the evenings, Hadicurari Beach is an idyllic location for sunset watching, where you can observe boats passing as the sun sets below the horizon. It remains one of our favorite sunset locations in Aruba, and we returned several times to witness it!
17. Blackstone Beach
One of the most unique beaches in Aruba is likely Blackstone Beach, situated near the Arikok National Park. Unfortunately, swimming is not safe here due to strong currents.
Instead, this secluded beach features smooth black rocks and an extraordinary three-pronged natural formation called the Tripod Bridge. This peculiar rock formation means Blackstone Beach is the only location in Aruba with black sand or black rocks!
You can access Blackstone Beach by hiking approximately one kilometer from the parking area for Aruba’s famous Natural Bridge, which is a popular spot for visitors. ATV and UTV tours may also include Blackstone Beach in their itineraries.
18. Grapefield Beach
Grapefield is among the most secluded beaches in Aruba; we encountered merely one other person during our entire visit!
This long and beautiful beach can be accessed by driving or walking from Boca Grandi, a nearby kitesurfing area. If you opt to drive, be cautious as the road transitions to sand at the end—stay on the hard-packed parts to avoid getting stuck.
Swimming is possible at Grapefield Beach, but it’s wise to remain close to the shore due to potentially strong currents. Stick to the turquoise waters for safety.
Map Of The Best Aruba Beaches
Here’s a map of some of the best beaches in Aruba. Most of these beaches are easy to access!
You can click the icons on the map to get more information and directions for each point of interest; however, please note that some locations on this map may be approximate.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What part of Aruba has the best beaches?
There are beautiful beaches in every corner of the Aruba island! If you prefer touristy beaches with accommodations, those are mainly on the northwest side. However, if you’d rather escape the crowds, you’ll enjoy the remote beaches on the east side of the island.
- Where are beaches with flamingoes in Aruba?
The most famous beach to see flamingoes is found on Renaissance Island, as well as De Palm Island.
- Do the beaches have bathrooms?
Yes, there are public bathrooms (or restaurant bathrooms) at popular beaches like Arashi, Eagle, and Baby Beach.
- Are there nude beaches in Aruba?
No, there aren’t traditional nude beaches in Aruba. Topless sunbathing is not permitted on public beaches, although it may be allowed on private beaches such as Renaissance Island and De Palm Island. The remote Grapefield Beach is considered another unofficial nude beach due to its seclusion.
- How many beaches are there in Aruba?
While there are dozens of beaches in Aruba, pinpointing an exact count is challenging. Some sources suggest up to 40!
Best Aruba Tours
Aruba Hotels
More Things To Do In Aruba
Thank you for reading! We hope you enjoyed this comprehensive list of the best beaches in Aruba. Numerous beautiful beaches await you on this small island.
Be sure to explore additional travel posts related to Aruba before your visit!
