Are you looking for the best beaches in Aruba? Then you are in the right spot! I recruited a friend who has lived in the Dutch Caribbean for a while to help me put together a guide to the prettiest Aruba beaches!
She is not only sharing her favorite restaurants at the beaches (along with the best things to do), but she is also sharing some insider tips from her visits.
If youʻre booking your trip to Aruba last minute, we have you covered. Below are some of the top tours, hotels, and more!
🇦🇼 Top Experiences and Tours in Aruba:
- Island ultimate Jeep safari in Aruba (top-rated option on the island!)
- Catamaran sail with snorkeling aboard the Arusun (popular day trip)
- Aruba Atlantis submarine expedition (family-friendly pick)
🛌 Top Hotels in Aruba:
- Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort (located on a private island with beaches!)
- The Ritz-Carlton – Aruba (luxury option at Eagle Beach)
- Holiday Inn Resort Aruba (budget-friendly option)
🚗 Looking for the best way to get around Aruba? Click here to check rental car rates for the Caribbean!
We hope that this guide helps you plan your beach vacation in Aruba (and you can stick some of these gorgeous places on your Aruba itinerary).
So let’s dive right in! There is also a map at the end of this guide to help you plan your trip with ease.
Let me know if we missed any of the top beaches in Aruba in the comments. Thanks!
In this post...
Best Aruba Beaches (in a Nutshell!)
If you’re looking for a quick overview of the best beaches in Aruba, here is an overview that will help you pick which one is right for you!
- 🥇 Best Overall: Eagle Beach
- 🤿 Best Snorkeling Beach: Arashi Beach
- 🧸 Best Child-Friendly Beach: Baby Beach
- 🤫 Hidden-Gem Beach: Mangel Halto Beach
- 🐚 Best Full-Serviced Beach: Flamingo Beach
- ⛴️ Best Beach near Cruise Port: Surfside Beach
Best Beaches in Aruba
1. Eagle Beach
Eagle Beach is one of the most famous and beloved beaches in the Caribbean. It is the widest beach in Aruba, which leaves plenty of space for sunbathing, swimming, and snorkeling.
One of the things I liked most about Eagle Beach is that it is not directly filled with hotels.
The low-rise hotels are separated from the beach by the street, leaving plenty of space to enjoy yourself and the soft sands there.
Eagle Beach is quieter than the other famous beach on the island, Palm Beach. But that doesn’t mean it’s boring!
You can play beach tennis, snorkel, or check out one of the cute beach bars. And of course, you need to take a picture with the famous Fofoti Tree. In the evening, it is a beautiful spot to walk along the promenade and enjoy the sunset.
If you get hungry, check out Water’s Edge; it is one of the best beachfront restaurants in Aruba.
Eagle Beach is also a popular place to stay in Aruba. The La Cabana Resort is a great choice for any traveler.
2. Baby Beach
Another beach super high up in my list of favorite beaches in Aruba is Baby Beach. Baby Beach is quite far from all the hotels and tourist hotspots, so it is ideal for a day trip.
This stunning beach is mostly famous for its crescent shape. The water is extremely shallow, which also makes it very family-friendly. It is a great spot for beginner snorkeling and swimming (you can see beautiful fish close to the shore!).
Baby Beach is not fully serviced. There are some sunshades and beach beds to rent, but I suggest bringing your own if you plan to stay longer.
There are one or two restaurants in the area, but you don’t have as much choice there. I love Big Mama’s Grill, located right next to the beach.
3. Flamingo Beach
Flamingo Beach is one of the most iconic places in Aruba. As the name already suggests, Flamingo Beach is home to these cute, pink friends!
Flamingo Beach is super exclusive. Unless you are staying at the Renaissance Aruba Resort, it is incredibly difficult and expensive to visit. Aruba in general is very expensive, but this is one of the MUST-do experiences that is worth the money.
Essentially, you’ll have to snatch one of the very limited day passes to Renaissance Island. Once you’ve made it to the island, you can enjoy pure luxury in one of the cabanas.
They’ll serve you a complimentary lunch and a cocktail right at your beach bed—it is to die for. You can also reserve spa treatments, hike the mangroves, or relax in a hammock with a good book.
There is a lot of discussion out there about whether Flamingo Beach is worth the money. I honestly think that everyone should visit at least for one day, if possible, during the trip!
4. Palm Beach
Palm Beach is the second-most famous beach in Aruba. It is the heart of the island, with many of the most famous hotel chains directly on the beach.
There are so many awesome restaurants, beach bars, and watersport activities in this area that it can be hard to choose from. Make sure to have dinner at Pure Ocean in the Divi Phoenix Resort, however. It is one of the best!
Palm Beach is super-touristy and busy. I found it a great place to party, but not so good for relaxation. The water can also get a bit cloudy and full of seaweed at times here.
There is a super long sidewalk through Palm Beach, which makes it a great place for a morning or evening stroll.
This is a great area to stay in Aruba because you’ll be super close to all the attractions. Also, many tours start directly on Palm Beach, making it one of the most conveniently located beaches on the island.
5. Arashi Beach
Arashi Beach in Aruba is mostly famous for snorkelers. It is quite far off the beaten track, so it is a lot more quiet and relaxing too.
Especially the left side of Arashi Beach, which is awesome for snorkeling. You can see lots of beautiful fish and colorful marine life in this area.
Because Arashi Beach is a bit of a drive away from most other attractions, you’ll likely want to combine it with some other stops. Luckily for you, the California Lighthouse, one of Aruba’s most beautiful spots, is right around the corner!
Arashi Beach is usually also on the schedule for most snorkel tours in Aruba. That is a great alternative to driving all the way out there.
6. Mangel Halto Beach
Mangel Halto Beach is a bit of a hidden gem when it comes to Aruba’s beaches. The small, but stunning, beach is a bit tucked away and can be easily missed.
You can find Mangel Halto Beach in the Spanish Lagoon, a nice and quiet area in Aruba. As I noted, it is very well hidden behind trees and mangroves, but it is absolutely worth the hike!
There are not really any amenities there, apart from a few wooden tables and sunshades. Make sure to bring your own stuff if you plan on staying longer.
But if you walk down the street toward Savaneta Village, you can find lovely restaurants. My favorite one is Marina Pirata; they serve delicious fresh fish at great prices.
Savaneta and Mangel Halto Beach are great areas if you are looking to rent a vacation home via Airbnb.
7. Rodger’s Beach
Rodger’s Beach is another one of my favorite beaches in Aruba. It is located right next to Baby Beach, far off the beaten track.
What’s special about Rodger’s Beach is that it is not super touristy, and you can even meet some locals hanging out there!
This beach is very quiet, but still extremely beautiful.
The water quality is amazing, and it is perfect for snorkeling and swimming. I was a bit taken aback by how close it is to the refinery, but it does not impact the beach experience at all.
8. Iguana Beach
Just like we discussed Flamingo Beach, Iguana Beach can be found on Renaissance Island.
The big difference between Iguana Beach and Flamingo Beach is that Iguana Beach is more kid-friendly. You can hang out there with your entire family, try some water sports, and have a great day.
Iguana Beach is also a bit bigger than Flamingo Beach, so you’ll have a lot more space. And, of course, I think the iguanas are super cute!
If you are planning on seeing Iguana Beach and Flamingo Beach, staying at the Renaissance Aruba Resort will save you a lot of trouble. This resort owns and operates the island, and hotel guests get to visit it for free.
9. Druif Beach
Druif Beach in Aruba is another one of my favorite beaches. It is a beautiful, long, and oval-shaped beach with super calm, turquoise waters.
What makes Druif Beach so special is that it is a small oasis super close to all the popular spots in Aruba. There are some low-rise hotels, but it is still a bit more low-key.
One of the most popular spots on Druif Beach is the famous I LOVE ARUBA sign.
There are no real amenities directly on Druif Beach, but the nearby Divi Dutch Village Resort has a couple of beach bars and restaurants that are open to the public.
10. Surfside Beach
Surfside Beach is one of the best beaches in Aruba, and for good reason.
The beautiful stretch of sand is located close to downtown Oranjestad. It is the closest beach to the cruise port in Aruba, making it popular among day guests.
The beach area has a few bars and restaurants where you can grab a bite or a drink with a view. Pincho’s Bar and Grill is my favorite among them.
My favorite feature is the small pier. But what makes this place a find is its proximity to Aruba Airport. You can see lots of planes coming in low from Surfside Beach!
FAQ
What is the nicest beach in Aruba?
Flamingo Beach on Renaissance Island is probably the nicest beach in Aruba.
Because of its exclusivity, most people consider Baby Beach or Eagle Beach the nicest Aruba beaches instead.
Most beaches in Aruba have pristine water quality and are beautiful in their own right, so it can be hard to pick one single favorite beach.
Are the beaches in Aruba swimmable?
Yes, all of the beaches in Aruba are swimmable. They are usually very shallow and the water is calm.
During the stormy months from September through December, you can expect some waves, but it is still very nice to swim.
Aruba is perfect for families and beginners because of these calm waters.
Where is the clearest water in Aruba?
The clearest water in Aruba can be found around off-the-beaten-track beaches, like Arashi Beach, Manchebo Beach, or Boca Catalina Beach. For this reason, they are the best snorkel spots in Aruba.
In the area of all the hotels around Palm Beach and Eagle Beach, the water can be a bit cloudy at times.
Sometimes there is some seaweed in the water in that area, but most hotels clean out the beaches frequently.
Which part of Aruba has the best beaches?
The southern side of Aruba has the best beaches. Find beautiful spots, like Eagle Beach, Palm Beach, and others, on this side of the island.
The northern side of the island consists mostly of rocky terrain and very high waves. I would only suggest swimming in this area if you are an experienced swimmer.
Is Baby Beach better than Eagle Beach?
Both Baby Beach and Eagle Beach are beautiful and a paradise for swimmers and sunbathers.
They are very similar to each other in terms of size and water quality.
Baby Beach is a bit further off the popular hotspots, so it is usually less busy and touristic.
Eagle Beach is the most popular beach in Aruba, so expect lots of people and a hub of activity. Baby Beach has fewer amenities, but it is very unique in its crescent shape.
What is the least-crowded beach in Aruba?
Mangel Halto Beach is the least crowded beach in Aruba. For one, it can be a bit hard to find. But it is also located in a less-touristy part of Aruba, near the Spanish Lagoon.
Mangel Halto Beach is a bit of a hidden gem and something that needs to be on our list of the best beaches in Aruba!
Is Baby Beach worth it?
Yes, Baby Beach is definitely worth the drive. The beach is super beautiful, and you can relax or swim in the shallow water.
It is also a good place for families with smaller children because the water is so warm and calm. Above all, the area around Baby Beach is also worth seeing, so it is worth venturing out there.
Aruba Beaches (on a Map!)
To sum it up, there are many awesome beaches in Aruba, so it can be hard to pick a favorite. Aruba’s beaches are what makes the island worth visiting.
All in all, Eagle Beach is the most popular beach in Aruba. It is easy to reach, amazingly big, and extremely beautiful. There is ample opportunity for water sports or food and drinks. Palm Beach and Baby Beach are other tourist favorites. Both are worth a visit!
Arashi Beach in Aruba is the best beach for snorkeling. It is located a bit off the beaten tracks. But the good water quality and the beautiful marine life are worth the visit.
Flamingo Beach and Iguana Beach are the most exclusive beaches in Aruba. Both of them are located on Renaissance Island, which only sells a small amount of day passes each day.
Lastly, don’t forget to check out less-known beaches, like Rodger’s Beach, Druif Beach, or perhaps even Mangel Halto Beach. All of these spots offer a small, relaxed getaway from the busy tourist spots.
Aruba has many beautiful beaches, and I hope you’ll enjoy them as much as I did. What is your favorite beach in Aruba? Let us know in the comments!
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Megan is a travel blogger and writer with a background in digital marketing. Originally from Richmond, VA, she now splits her time between Frankfurt, Germany and Arctic Finland after also living in Norway, Armenia, and Kazakhstan. She has a passion for winter travel, as well as the Nordic countries, but you can also find her eating her way through Italy, perusing perfume stores in Paris, or taking road trips through the USA. Megan has written for or been featured by National Geographic, Forbes, Lonely Planet, the New York Times, and more. She co-authored Fodor’s Travel ‘Essential Norway’ and has visited 45 US states and 100+ countries.