Surf Cat

From pristine stretches of sand to fun-packed family adventures with every type of watersport, there is a beach for everyone in Aruba

From vast expanses of sugar-soft sands to hidden coves, is famous for its beautiful beaches. How do you find the perfect beach for you? Simply decide what kind of traveller you are and take your pick from the endless variety offered by this Caribbean island.

The romantic escape

If you dream of pristine white-sand beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see, backed by lush foliage and dotted with palms, you can’t go wrong with Eagle Beach. Named third best beach in the world in the 2019 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards, it is a romantic spot and the perfect backdrop for an island paradise getaway. Four different species of turtles nest on these sands and, depending on when you visit the island, you could venture out after dark to see them laying their eggs on the beach or even catch the tiny hatchlings making a dash for the water.

Family fun

A two-mile stretch of sand with clear blue waters, Palm Beach is perfect for swimming and water sports, making it a great destination for the whole family. Backed by swaying palms and dotted with glamorous resorts, the calm waters are great for young swimmers as well as snorkellers wanting to discover an underwater world. Take out a boat or hire a jet ski, sit on the warm sand to watch the sunset and then head to the area just off the beach for evening entertainment with a whole host of restaurants and shopping malls, cinemas and water fountain shows. 

Nature’s paradise

A secluded spot just a short drive from Palm Beach, Boca Catalina is a great beach for nature-lovers. This is a much more private beach, set in a lush bay with calm waters, palm trees and even the odd cactus. The white sands here are ideal for relaxing, and if you visit in the week you may even have them to yourself. The waters are home to tropical fish and wonderful marine life, making this a great spot for snorkelling and diving. For those more experienced and adventurous underwater explorers, you can swim a bit further from shore and check out the famous Antilla shipwreck, the largest wreck in the Caribbean.

The water sports spot

Hadicurari Beach, also known as Fisherman’s Huts or simply The Huts, is the No 1 non-motorised adventure sports spot in all of Aruba. Here you can surf, windsurf, kitesurf and more. There is plenty of room here to get out on the water and play, and the area offers numerous schools in all these different disciplines where you can rent equipment or take lessons in the sport of your choice. If you enjoy watching adventure sports as much as participating, visit here in June or July when the Aruba Hi-Winds is in town: it is the largest windsurfing competition in the Caribbean.

The rugged cove

If you are looking for adventure, then get off the beaten path and check out Andicuri Beach. This is a more out-of-the-way spot with minimal tourism, and is visited mostly by locals. The area has large, rocky bluffs with the beach area set in a cove in the middle. The waves crash harder here and the surf is stronger, so it makes a great spot for bodyboarding but also means you’ll need to be an experienced swimmer. There are no concessions or restaurants nearby so bring your own snacks and make sure you travel on to Black Stone Beach just a little further down the road to see its amazing triple limestone archway.