Top 6 Beaches to Explore in Aruba

You won’t find beaches lined with palm trees in Aruba; instead, look for the hardy but bent Divi, which always bows southwest in acknowledgment of the trade winds that blow across Aruba from the west. Casual beachgoers can discover the calm, sandy shores they seek on the island’s west side, while more adventurous souls can head east for the pounding surf of Dos Playas.

Palm Beach

Recognized as one of the world’s best beaches, and voted the top family beach by The Travel Channel, Palm Beach is also home to many of Aruba’s major hotels and resorts. These resorts line the sandy shore, while shopping, movie theaters, and nightclubs are just across the street. Most major water sports and tours operate from this area, including pirate ship adventures, jet skiing, and more.

Boca Catalina

Boca Catalina is another family-friendly spot, featuring close-in reef snorkeling and shady beach huts known locally as “palapas.” This location is considered Aruba’s prime spot for couples to enjoy watching breathtaking sunsets together.

Eagle Beach

Dubbed the top beach in the Caribbean by USA Today, Eagle Beach showcases an idyllic Caribbean scene: miles of powdery sand gently lapped by surf. It is a popular destination for various water sports, which can easily be arranged through the hotels situated nearby.

Baby Beach

Situated on the less-traveled east side of the island, Baby Beach is favored by families seeking a break from crowded areas; it features clear, shallow waters ideal for wading with children. However, the visual backdrop is less appealing as an oil refinery looms in the distance, emitting smoke into the clear Caribbean sky.

Hadicurari Beach

A true windsurfer’s paradise, Hadicurari Beach hosts the annual Hi-Winds Pro Am Windsurfing Competition, making it an ideal location to dive into this exhilarating sport. For bathers, the water here is quite shallow, with favorable winds that also make it perfect for kite flying!

Dos Playa Beach

A favored location among surfers, Dos Playas is situated within Arikok National Park and is well-known for its challenging surf, which rolls into a cove encircled by high cliffs. Alongside surfers, you will often see body-boarders and body-surfers enjoying the waves here—however, use caution as conditions can turn rough. Be prepared for waves that can reach 3-6 feet even during calm weather.