Beaches · Aruba
The best beaches in and near Aruba
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Natalie Liao Jen, CC BY-SA 3.0
,_Oranjestad,_ARUBA.JPG){kind=link}
Quick answer
The best-known beach is Eagle Beach (About 10 minutes by car from Oranjestad). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C+) in January–December.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 6
- Swimming season
- January–December
- Warmest sea
- 29°C (84°F)
The beaches
About 10 minutes by car from Oranjestad · Couples and space to relax
1.Eagle Beach
Wide, soft white sand with gentle water and the famous fofoti trees; spacious and calmer than Palm Beach.
About 15 minutes by car from Oranjestad · Families and watersports
2.Palm Beach
Calm, shallow water in front of the high-rise resorts with watersports and bars.
About 40 minutes by car from Palm Beach · Young children
3.Baby Beach
A shallow, sheltered lagoon at the southeastern tip with turquoise water a metre or so deep.
About 10 minutes by car north of Palm Beach · Snorkelling and quiet
4.Arashi Beach
A quiet beach near the northern tip with clear water and snorkelling along the rocks.
About 5 minutes by car north of Palm Beach · Easy snorkelling
5.Boca Catalina
A small cove with coral patches and reef fish close to shore.
About 25 minutes by car from Oranjestad · Sheltered snorkelling
6.Mangel Halto
Mangrove-fringed lagoon on the south coast for snorkelling and kayaking.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 26°C (79°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| February | 26°C (79°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| March | 26°C (79°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| April | 27°C (81°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| June | 28°C (82°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| July | 28°C (82°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| August | 28°C (82°F) | 33°C (91°F) |
| September | 29°C (84°F) | 33°C (91°F) |
| October | 29°C (84°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| November | 28°C (82°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| December | 27°C (81°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$$$ · Best for first-timers, families, nightlife and beach
Palm Beach
Palm Beach is a 3 km run of calm, shallow water backed by the big high-rise resorts and casinos. Wooden piers launch catamaran cruises, parasailing and jet-ski trips, and the parallel J.E. Irausquin Boulevard is lined with restaurants, shops and malls. It is the most convenient base for first-timers and families who want everything within walking distance, though the beach is busy and loungers are packed close together.
- Good
- Walk to dozens of restaurants and bars; Calm water for swimming; Watersports leave from the beach
- Watch out
- Crowded beach in high season; Expensive hotels and dining; Little local character
- Nearby
- Butterfly Farm, Bubali Bird Sanctuary, Malmok, Noord
Getting to the beaches
- Bus — Arubus runs frequent services from the main terminal in Oranjestad along the hotel coast to Eagle Beach, Palm Beach and Malmok, with routes to San Nicolas and Baby Beach.
- Car — Rental cars are widely available and roads are generally good; driving is on the right.
- Scooter — Scooters, UTVs and open-top jeeps are rented in Palm Beach and are popular for exploring the north coast tracks.
- Boat — Catamarans and sailboats leave from the Palm Beach piers for snorkel trips to Boca Catalina and the Antilla wreck.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in January–December. The busiest of those is January, so book early.
Beach safety
Do not swim on the north and east coasts, where strong surf and currents are dangerous; swim on the sheltered west and south coasts. Lock rental cars and keep valuables out of sight at remote beaches and viewpoints, where break-ins can occur. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Aruba have beaches?
Yes: Eagle Beach, Palm Beach, Baby Beach, Arashi Beach, Boca Catalina and Mangel Halto.
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in Aruba?
Usually January–December, when the sea averages 21°C or more.
+What is the best beach near Aruba?
Eagle Beach: Wide, soft white sand with gentle water and the famous fofoti trees; spacious and calmer than Palm Beach.