Aruba’s white-sand beaches are generally considered to be among the cleanest, widest and most spectacular of all the Caribbean islands.
Much of the fine white sand is ground-up coral (limestone) that has passed through the digestion system of the colourful green parrotfish.
The parrotfish use their beaks to scrape off coral rock, digest algae and then expel the algae as fine white sand; one parrotfish can produce tonnes of soft white sand each year.
All of Aruba's beaches are public, with sun loungers and palapas (shade huts or thatched umbrellas) typically provided by resorts for guests use only; otherwise, expect to pay a small fee.
The best beaches, which lie mainly along the northwest coast, are easily accessible by bus, hire car or taxi. Many are edged by rocky headlands and indented with small coves that are perfect for snorkelling.
The best beaches in Aruba, include …
Unwind on the soft sugar-white sands of this idyllic 2km-long beach fringed by towering coconut and date palms and lined with a choice of luxurious 5-star high rise hotels.
Palm Beach is rated by travel magazines such as Condé Nast Traveller as one of the world’s best beaches.
Facilities include sun loungers and palapas, with food and drink amenities just a short stroll away at one of the many open-air bars. Water sports include diving, snorkelling, parasailing, kite surfing, windsurfing, jet skis and Hobie cats.
Relax on the white sand, go swimming in the warm turquoise sea or sip a cocktail and people-watch.
Palm Beach is generally busier and noisier than Aruba's other beaches; for less crowded areas, walk south to the Divi Aruba Phoenix Resort or north towards the Marriott Resort and nearby Hadicurari Beach (or Fishermen's Huts).
Come for a day or stay at one of Palm Beach’s elegant 5-star hotels, including the luxurious Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino and the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino.
Palm Beach is located on the northwest coast, around 8km north of Oranjestad.
Unwind on this gorgeous 2km-long white-sand beach that shelves into shallow water and is lined with a choice of low-rise resorts.
Sunbathe on the soft sand, swim in the calm waters, snorkel the offshore reef or sip a cold drink in the shade of a palapa.
Come for a day or indulge at a choice of beachfront resorts, including the 5-star Costa Linda Beach Resort at the southern end of the beach or the quiet boutique-styled Amsterdam Manor Aruba Beach Resort at the northern end of the beach.
Sun loungers and umbrellas are provided by beachfront resorts; expect a small charge if you’re from another resort. Water sports include snorkelling, parasailing, jet skiing and Hobie Cat sailing.
Separated by a rocky limestone outcrop that is home to a flock of green parakeets, Eagle Beach is just south of Palm Beach, around 6km from Oranjestad.
Pick your own spot to sunbathe on this gorgeous 100m-wide beach, offering powder-white sand just a short stroll from a choice of resorts including the elegant 5-star Aruba Bucuti Beach Resort.
Unlike Eagle and Palm beaches, there are no water sports here to interrupt your peace and quiet. Facilities supplied by the resorts include sun loungers, palapas, drinks and food.
Manchebo Beach, which is also known as Punto Brabo, is located just south of Eagle Beach.
Escape the crowds to sunbathe, swim and snorkel on this 500m-long stretch of white sand that lies beneath the California Lighthouse at the northwest tip of the island.
With calm seas and a mainly sandy bottom, Arashi Beach is one of Aruba’s best swimming sites.
Facilities include only a few shady beach huts, so you’ll need to take food and drink supplies with you.
Arashi Beach is easy to reach by bus, car or taxi and is located around 6km from Oranjestad and roughly 3km from Palm Beach.
This white-sand beach is fringed by mature palm trees and offers good swimming in shallow water, snorkelling in numerous rocky coves and diving on a scuttled German freighter, which lies on the seabed just offshore.
A steady breeze makes the beach popular with windsurfers. There are no facilities on this beach so you need to take your own provisions. Malmok Beach lies to the south of Arashi Beach.
Unwind on this beach’s gorgeous white sand, swim in the calm, shallow waters or join kite and windsurfers riding the gentle waves.
Hadicurari is the top beach for windsurfing on Aruba and hosts the annual pro-am Hi-Winds World Challenge every June.
The powder-white sand beach is sprinkled with pebbles and shells at the water's edge. Facilities include only shade huts and picnic tables.
Hadicurari Beach (also known as Fishermen's Huts) is adjacent to Palm Beach on the northwest coast, around 8km north of Oranjestad.
Unwind on the soft sugar-white sands of this 700m-long beach that curves around a shallow 1.5m-deep cove; thanks to the protective breakwater, this beach offers perfect swimming conditions for families with small children.
Sunbathe on the powder-white sand, relax beneath shady sea grape bushes and palapas or swim out to the entrance for excellent snorkelling over the coral reef.
Facilities include sun loungers and palapas for hire, as well as food and drink kiosks and toilets. The beach is popular with locals during the weekend.
Baby Beach is located just beyond San Nicolas near Aruba's easternmost tip, around 20km south of Oranjestad.
Latest update: Best Beaches in Aruba: 6 May, 2022
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