Three Best Beaches - Aruba!

Palm Beach

2005-10-10T16:22:00.002-05:00

We've been to Aruba some fifteen times. So we know the territory well. This is an island where you want to go and get settled in the hotel, then with your rental car, start exploring the Arubian countryside like crazy. And you can keep doing that for a week and still see new things each trip. That's how awesome this place is. Yes, it was plagued a few years ago by a case of a teen who vanished - but that could happen anywhere. Aruba is not the problem.

When you land in Aruba, you just have to admit there's a part of paradise located here. And the best beaches are on the southwest coast of the island, where constant trade winds keep you cool. Palm Beach, Aruba's "Best Fun Beach" is our first stop. So how did Palm Beach merit this name?

Well, every opinion about "best" is subjective. But this one is the winner, hands down. What's more, you won't have to go far. If you on an Aruba vacation, this is the beach that is probably located in front of your hotel.

Palm Beach runs along the best high rise resort hotels and time shares on the island. When you arrive, surprise yourself and look out your hotel window. You'll have one of the most spectacular views of beautiful Palm Beach and the turquoise waters of the Caribbean.

What to do on the best beach of the island?

Since Palm Beach is home to the high-rise hotels, you can definitely get in some people-watching here. Just next to Hadicurari Beach, Palm Beach Aruba is great for swimming, tanning, fishing, sailing, and snorkeling. You can spend over an hour walking from one end to the other. Now, what's fun about this is that you'll be able to stop at the high rise hotels for refreshments. Each resort opens their property to the beach and have everything from snack bars to open bars. A few have beautiful gardens and waterfalls complete with animals.

And if you're the more adventuresome type, several places along Palm Beach Aruba offer water sports. Hotels and resorts offer Hobie Cats, jet skis, windsurfing, scuba, beach shelters, toys and more - plus, they offer instruction in each of these areas.

Here's a tip: Because Palm Beach is located in the center of the action on Aruba, it can get crowded. It's busier, noiser - but some find that fun! However, note that the less crowded areas are to the north, toward the Marriott, and south, near the Divi Phoenix. Two side notes; the Marriott is constructing a timeshare near their hotel - beware of the noise, and some say the wind down near the Phoenix is powerful.

If your hotel is not on Palm Beach, make sure you visit on your Aruba vacation. There is parking along the road in front of the hotel and resort strip. You can park at some of the hotels. Best time to visit is during the mid morning for sun bathing, late afternoon for walking and enjoying the views.

Palm Beach - Aruba - Beach Guide:

Sand - medium grain white powder, soft, very clean, groomed daily
Facilities - lies along the major hotel and resort strip
Shade - mature palm trees
Sports - all water sports
Notes - can get crowded around major hotels

More beaches grace this sunny isle in the Caribbean! See them all - Next! >>

Baby Beach - Aruba

2005-10-09T17:36:00.003-05:00

It took two trips to Aruba to discover Baby Beach. We overheard American Airlines flight attendants talking about their favorite snorkeling places and Baby Beach, Aruba, was at the top of the list. Actually, the snorkeling it outside the protected beach area. But this is a recommended beach and a must see if you spend more than a day in Aruba. It is at the opposite side of the island than the cruise ships, so it doesn't work to drop into Aruba and plan a trip to Baby Beach - unless you're spending the day.

What would a Aruba vaction be without a visit to Baby Beach? And dare you venture out of the wonderful cove to see the ancient elkhorn coral that is home to thousands of beautiful tropical Caribbean fish? I'm sure you want to know what is so special about this beautiful cove next to the Coastal Oil Refinery on Aruba's southern most tip.

For a few, this view is the greatest thing on the island. It means peace and quiet and no waves or wind. Brilliant white sand with a touch of that Aruba dry air. Almost perfect, no?

When oil became king back in the 30's, workers and their families wanted a nice place to relax close to their homes. These folks weren't on vacation, but they've built something that has lasted for vacationers worldwide. Baby Beach sits right off of the small Lago Community which was created by the workers of the then "Lago Oil Refinery". Lago, named after Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela, refined oil from that country.

The Baby Beach cove was partially closed using concrete and rocks to form a quiet beach area. What happened over the years is the cove filled with sand and made it ideal for families to wade and enjoy a great weekend. And note this tip; Baby Beach is "the" beach for the locals. They are here all weekend and can show you the best spots along the shore.

They'll tell you that right outside the cove are some of the nicest coral formations on the island - within snorkeling distance. So on your Aruba vacation you can sunbathe and snorkel here!

Baby Beach is far away from the high rise hotels and resorts so you will need to pack a few things before you decide to make it a day here. Plan to take snacks and water. There's now a great snack shack at Baby Beach; we're sure full facilities will follow.

In addition to food, take snorkel gear and beach towels. And, please note, there are no public facilities nearby, so make sure you "go" before you go. If you're adventurous, visit the reef right outside and to the left (as you face the ocean), of the barrier wall.

The coral was damaged by Hurricane Ivan in September, 2004. You may see some new growth or areas where the coral survived.

Take a small bag full of bread crumbs to feed the fish that gather right at the opening. Take an underwater camera. There are many disposables that work underwater - bring them from home as they are cheaper than buying them on the island. Keep them out of the hot sun. Have fun!

Now onto a beach that is across the island and was once named one of the Top Ten Beaches of the World! Next >>

Baby Beach - Aruba - Beach Index:

Sand - medium to large grain white powder, soft
Facilities - snack bar serving hamburgers, hotdogs, drinks, no restrooms
Shade - shade shelters and lounges for rent
Sports - you must bring your own gear
Notes - something for everyone, can be crowded on weekends as locals love this gem!

Eagle Beach

2005-10-09T17:13:00.001-05:00

One of the nicest beaches in Aruba is Eagle. We're not sure how it got that name, but it is the place when locals want to have a party. You'll find it exciting too, with wide sand - so pure you'll swear it's sugar, and water so calm, you'll think you're in a pool. There's really nothing like Eagle Beach Aruba.

Now, all of Aruba's wonderful beaches are public - just the chairs and shade huts belong to the hotels for their guests. So if you plan an Aruba vacation and don't leave the beach near your hotel, you are missing out on some of the most spectacular views the island paradise has to offer. Eagle Beach is just south of Palm Beach. A rocky outcrop separates the two, but it's difficult walking between the two.

And when you do get to the rocky limestone outcrop, stand for a bit and wait for the local flock of brilliant green parakeets who make their home there. Some will even come close by and grace the trees around you. These are local to the islands and protected. Chance to see them, early morning, mid afternoon. You can't miss their screech! They call to one another as they fly through the Arubian air.

Eagle Beach Aruba is across the road from the La Cabana Resort and some timeshares. This beach simply takes off. The more shallow water right off the beach gives a whole different perspective to Caribbean beauty. Relax under a palm tree. Snorkel out and see colorful fish. Take a cruise on one of the local catamarans. Eagle Beach Aruba is home to all this plus spectacular time shares, hotels and resorts.

If you'd like, Aruba provides for local shaded picnic areas. You'll love this, especially if you're a family - the beach slopes slowly and the water is shallow and warm. But remember, the locals love this beach as well - weekends get crowded.

And who said you couldn't have it all? Hotels and resorts along the beach offer scuba diving, snorkeling gear, windsurfing and more. Arrive early and enjoy fun before the sun heats up the day.

Rated the second best beach on Aruba, Eagle Beach is clean and wide, and one of the longest beaches on the island. You can hike the whole length get a tan and exercise at the same time. The very best sand is directly in front of La Cabana and the Amsterdam Manor. When you plan your Aruba vacation, include a trip to Eagle Beach.

Eagle Beach - Aruba - Beach Index:

Sand - medium grain white powder, soft, very clean
Facilities - some at the hotels, none at timeshares, picnic area
Shade - mature palm trees, umbrellas, shade huts
Sports - all water sports
Notes - crowded on weekends

Next, Arashi Beach has a reef, wonderful sand, snorkeling, sun huts... Could this beach have it all? Next! >>

Arashi Beach - Aruba

2005-10-02T12:52:00.004-05:00

Is is unbelievable clear? Yes. Is it really that color? Yes. Can you see anything snorkeling here? Yes. It is Arashi Beach Aruba and one of our favorite beaches because you can lay in the sun on the sand and snorkel about from the same location. Baby Beach is like this - Arashi Beach is bigger and sweet.

Calm surf and a mostly sandy bottom make Arashi Beach one of the best swimming sites. At Arashi Beach, you'll find the best of both worlds. If you like to lay in the sun and take a dip in the cool ocean in the afternoon, but your partner likes to snorkel, Arashi Beach and Baby Beach are two recommended spots.

Arashi is near the California Lighthouse, and California Point. As you may know, almost all of the beaches on Aruba are on the west side of the island. Arashi will be the furthest one north.

Arashi means "storm" in Japanese, and we're not sure how this beach got its name. There certainly isn't much Japanese in the native Arubian language.

For sun worshipers, the white sand is soft, but look for pebbles and stones. If you arrive early, you may just be in luck to command one of the few beach huts which will provide welcome shade after a few hours of soaking in that vitamin D.

From here you can look back to Aruba Palm Beach and the windsurf rentals and school. And there are some really cool (expensive) houses out in this area as well. Rumor has it that some underworld kingpins live in this area, so be careful who you snorkel in to. Here you will see plenty of squid and tropical fish when the surf cooperates. The sea bed here gradually tapers off into darkness - sand all the way. You can see a good 150 feet or more on a normal day. Also, check out the view of the surf off the Aruba California Lighthouse point. It can whip up some pretty knarly waves.

There are no facilities as Arashi Beach, and a trek back to the high rise hotels will take you a good 15 minutes. Keep that in mind.

Coming up, Arashi Beach is a snorkeler's paradise! Come find out the best time of day to get the clearest water. Next! >>

More great photographs of Arashi Beach, Aruba.

Arashi Beach - Snorkeling

2005-10-01T17:06:00.002-05:00

Certainly one of the best beginner snorkeling beaches on the island, Arashi Beach is perfect for the cruise ship crowds. If you're on the island for a week, make sure you find out when they will be there. Best visibility is mid-morning, mid-afternoon, especially when the wind and rain are at their lowest. Check low wave action as well.

First, the best snorkeling near Arashi Beach is toward Malmok Beach. You'll notice that between the two, there's a large outcropping of rock. And rock is good. Fish and coral love it.

For fish, it's just what they need to thrive in the nooks and crannies of the rock. For coral, less runoff from rain enters the ocean in rocky areas so they do quite well without the silt that runoff brings. Silty water smothers coral, which is why so many of the great reefs around populations are now history.

At Arashi Beach, put in to the left and hug the shoreline, but not too close. Depending on the tide, the depth here will be anywhere between five to ten feet. The shore slopes slowly to about 50 yards, and then goes gradually deeper. No canyon or walls here.

As you make your way to Malmok, look for the staghorn and brain coral, quite prominent between the two beaches. Around 10 to 15 feet, keep a sharp eye out for squid which generally travel in pods, or schools.

Closer in, as you approach Malmok Beach, which is rocky even right off shore (watch your bare feet, and if you're snorkeling with flippers, don't kick or stand on any coral or rock - make it sand), you'll find tons of sea life in the shallows.

Quietly flip over a few rocks and try to find starfish. The spindly kind are popular here and look like underwater spiders as they once again find shelter. And a upturned rock normally brings in fish, looking for any unsuspecting sea critter for lunch.

So when is the best time to snorkel here? Try high tide, or as the tide is moving in. Your swim will be the clearest during this period. And, if you can time it right, mid-morning is a great time to watch fish. They are still out hunting their next meal.

Enjoy your snorkel at Arashi and Malmok, but don't forget to visit the other superb snorkel spots on the island of Aruba.