The 10 Best Beaches in Aruba [2023]

As a small island in the Caribbean, Aruba is a real-life tropical paradise. From shores lined with palm trees to crystal-clear water and waves that are perfect for surfing, it’s hard to find a better place to head to if you’re on the hunt for a beachy getaway spot.

Whether you’re traveling alone, as a couple, or with your family, we’ve got the right vacation destination to suit your needs. So, without further ado, get ready to dive into our list of the 10 best beaches in Aruba.

Map of the 10 Best Beaches in Aruba

The Best Beaches in Aruba

1. Arashi Beach

Arashi Beach is beloved by both locals and tourists, and it’s not hard to see why. With its wide expanses of sand and its unobstructed view of the horizon, it’s a scenic destination that’s perfect for long walks or just relaxing on the beach.

However, you don’t have to stay on the shore to enjoy yourself at Arashi. The water is calm and clear, allowing for top-notch snorkeling opportunities. You can even rent Jet Skis or sailboats if you want to head out into slightly deeper water.

However, because this is such a well-loved beach, it can also get busy. The few naturally shady places fill up quickly, as do the rentable umbrellas. It can also be hard to find room on the sand if you don’t head out early in the morning on weekends or during the spring and summer months.

2. Baby Beach

Also called Klein Lagoen, Baby Beach is known for its small size and family-friendly ambiance. The beach was altered to be more inviting, but since then, it’s been largely kept in its pristine state.

You won’t find too much on the beach except for a few umbrellas available for rent. Keep in mind that these umbrellas are the only reliable sources of shade on the sand. If you don’t lay your towel under one, you’ll need to make sure you bring sun protection to keep from getting burned.

Baby Beach’s biggest draw is its water. Not only is it clear and warm, but it’s also safe. For the average adult, the water will vary between knee and waist-high in-depth and with virtually no current, so kids can swim safely. However, that also means this isn’t going to be a great spot for surfers.

3. Boca Catalina Beach

Boca Catalina is a secluded beach hideaway that’s perfect if you want to avoid the crowds that can congregate on the nearby Arashi shore. The seclusion doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice any activities you have your heart set on, though. The beach offers fantastic swimming and snorkeling opportunities for visitors if you want to explore the active underwater world just off the coast.

The beach is easy to find and access as well, and it even has a parking lot just off the sand where you can usually find a spot. While there are a few trees lining the sand, there’s not much shade near the water. So make sure you bring sunscreen or a beach umbrella to avoid getting sunburned if you’ll be visiting between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun is highest.

4. Boca Ketu

If you’re up for a bit of a walk, Boca Ketu is the perfect beach spot for you. The beach is only accessible via a rocky trek, so you’ll want to make sure you bring comfortable shoes with good traction to avoid slipping. However, once you reach the shore, you’ll be treated to a secluded hideaway where you can relax and listen to the water.

The waves here tend to be strong and crash against the rocks around the beach, so swimming here isn’t recommended. Since the water’s current is strong and unpredictable, don’t plan on surfing either. This is a wild, natural beach that’s best admired from dry land.

Hot Tip:

If you really want to have a little adventure, the beach has a large rock at its center that you can climb pretty safely. From the top, you can get a great view of the horizon.

5. Druif Beach

Druif Beach is just over 980 feet in length, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in beauty. Since it’s quite small, many tourists and locals tend to head to other parts of the coast, so you can go for a stroll, relax, or take some postcard-worthy pictures while you’re here.

The beach is lined with Aruba’s signature light sand that’s velvety soft and won’t irritate your skin. The water here is also shallow and perfect for wading so you don’t have to worry about any sudden drop-offs. Even kids can splash around without any worries.

Some parts of the beach are framed by rocks, so for a little added safety, try to avoid swimming in these sections. The sand itself is free of much development, but there are resorts and amenities nearby if you need any essentials. 

6. Eagle Beach

If you’re looking for a resort experience, Eagle Beach might be the place for you. This beach and its adjoining neighborhood are known for its multiple resorts, so virtually any amenities you might need are close at hand. However, you don’t have to stay at one of the nearby hotels to visit the beach.

This is the widest coastal stretch in Aruba, so it has plenty of room for visitors, even on busy days. The area’s soft white sand and clear blue water make it a picturesque spot for visitors who are looking for a relaxing and family-friendly getaway destination.

If you are looking for some excitement, Eagle Beach has something for that, too. There are Jet Ski rentals, and you can try your hand at windsurfing or just go for a swim or snorkel while you explore the water.

Hot Tip:

Eagle Beach was listed as one of our best beaches in the Caribbean! Check out the others that made the list!

7. Flamingo Beach

Flamingo Beach is one of the most secluded beaches in Aruba. If you get a chance to visit, you’re part of a small unofficial club.

The beach is located on Aruba’s Renaissance Island, which is only accessible in 2 ways. You can visit by either being a guest on the island’s resort or by purchasing a day pass to get to the beach. The privacy of the island is part of its charm, especially because the lack of crowds means the small number of flamingos that call the island home are free to roam in peace.

These birds are used to people, so you can take pictures and interact with them if they approach you. Just make sure to be gentle and double-check with the staff before you try to feed them, and leave them alone if they aren’t feeling social.

8. Hadicurari Beach

Hadicurari has become known as a windsurfing beach. That’s because this particular stretch of Aruba’s coast is prone to strong gusts, which are great for catching the wind with a sail. Don’t assume you have to be a thrill-seeker in order to have fun here, though. If you stay near the shore, you can easily swim or go for a walk without worrying about getting in anyone’s way.

The water isn’t very deep, and the current is pretty tame in the shallow areas, so people of all swimming levels can enjoy themselves. The beach even has some snack bar options nearby if you decide to stay all day or find yourself needing some refreshments.

This particular part of the coast can get busy, though. During the spring and summer, you’ll notice a lot of people on the sand, especially on the weekends. Come early to scope out a spot during those times of the year.

9. Manchebo Beach

Manchebo Beach is a busy stretch of Aruba’s coast, but despite all the foot traffic, it never feels claustrophobic. So it’s perfect if you like being around other people but aren’t a fan of pressing crowds.

The beach is in a resort area. In fact, it’s located in front of the Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa Aruba which shares its name, but you don’t need to be a guest to access it. It’s also within walking distance of other nearby shores if you need a change of scenery.

Manchebo is popular for its family-friendly and quiet ambiance, which makes it a go-to spot for people who want to relax and unwind on the sand or while wading in the clear water. Since this is an area that thrives on the tourism industry, any essentials you might need are close by.

10. Palm Beach

Palm Beach is a beloved gem on Aruba’s north coast. Its proximity to restaurants, shops, and even a bird sanctuary mix the pristine and natural beauty many people want in a tropical vacation with modern amenities.

The beach is relatively lively, though. There’s usually a steady coming and going of people, so don’t expect to find many moments of complete silence. However, you can usually walk a bit to find a quieter spot. Alternatively, you can head to the beach earlier in the morning if you want to feel like you have the soft sand and the clear water to yourself for a while.

Bottom Line:

The beach’s gentle water and flat sandy plains make it an ideal spot to lay out and get a tan or go for a casual swim, though surfers will likely be disappointed by the lack of waves.

Final Thoughts

Clearly, Aruba is a beach lover’s paradise. Its soft sand, clear water, and warm temperatures mean there’s no shortage of shoreline to relax on. With any luck, this list has helped you narrow down your options, so you can move one step closer to taking the beachy Aruba getaway of your dreams.