Aruba has many beautiful beaches, each with a distinct character.
Palm Beach
This busy beach is lined with high-rise hotels and hundreds of hotel beach chairs. Behind the hotels, you’ll find a shopping district with souvenir stalls, shops, malls and restaurants.
Parking: Park at Signature Park, behind the Moomba restaurant or in a paid lot off JE Irausquin Blvd.
Shade: There are a few public palapas and some trees near the police station at the southern end of the beach. There are a couple of umbrella rental places along the beach including one at the Moomba restaurant.
Restaurants: There are dozens of restaurants in the area. We like to go to the Bread Basket for a casual lunch or Eduardo’s Beach Shack for a smoothie or fruit bowl.
Washrooms: There are no public bathrooms on Palm Beach. There is a paid bathroom on the Bugaloe peer or you can use the facilities inside one of the hotels. Some hotels also have showers on the beach.
Eagle Beach
Eagle Beach is Aruba’s largest beach and is quieter than Palm Beach. It’s known for large expanses of white sand and views of the turquoise Caribbean water.
Parking: There is plenty of free parking along the beach just south of the La Cabana resort.
Shade: There are several public palapas across from the Oceania condos. There are several beach chair and umbrella vendors at the beach.
Restaurants: There are a couple of beach shacks on Eagle beach and several restaurants around the hotels on the other side of the road. We usually pack a lunch when going to Eagle.
Washrooms: There are no public restrooms on Eagle Beach. There is a restroom at the Coco Loco beach bar or you can try the hotels.
Arashi Beach
Arashi is a nice relaxed beach at the Northern tip of Aruba. It has a busier area near the parking lot and a more natural section if you walk further north.
Parking: There is a free parking lot at Arashi.
Shade: There are some palapas along the beach as well as umbrella rentals.
Restaurants: There is one restaurant at Arashi and occasionally there is an ice cream truck parked north of the parking lot. The restaurant can get busy which means a long wait for your food. We like to pack a picnic and go to Arashi for sunset.
Washrooms: There are facilities at the restaurant but they will charge you if you are renting an umbrella or making a purchase.
Baby Beach
Baby Beach is at the very southern tip of the island. It’s an artificial lagoon that is popular with families because of its shallow, calm water.
Parking: There is a large free parking lot at the beach.
Shade: There are public palapas along the beach, trees that provide shade, and umbrellas for rent.
Restaurants: There are two restaurants at Baby Beach, Big Mamas and Rum Reef at the other end.
Washrooms: There is a restroom at Big Mamas that costs $1 to use.
Mangel Halto
Mangel Halto is a mangrove beach south of Oranjestad that offers great snorkelling. This beach can be busy with locals on weekends and during school holidays.
Parking: There is a parking lot at the main entrance to the beach and along the road. We recommend not leaving any valuables in the car at Mangel Halto.
Shade: There are several shady spots under the mangroves. There are also free public palapas.
Restaurants: There is a local bar near the beach but most people don’t stay here very long or pack a picnic.
Washrooms: There are no restrooms.
Malmok
Malmok Beach is north of Palm Beach known for its snorkelling. It has a rocky shoreline and very little sand. Most people go to Malmok to swim or snorkel and take a few photos but it’s not a beach where people will spend the day.
Parking: There is a free parking area and parking along the road.
Shade: There are a few public palapas along Malmok.
Restaurants: There are no restaurants nearby.
Washrooms: There are no facilities at Malmok.
Boca Catalina & Catalina Cove
Boca Catalina and Catalina Cove are two very small beaches just north of Malmok. Catalina Cove is just a few meters up the road from Boca. These small beaches have great snorkelling and are a bit more secluded than other beaches.
Parking: There is a small parking area off the road at both beaches.
Shade: There are a few public palapas at these beaches.
Restaurants: There are no restaurants nearby.
Washrooms: There are no washrooms.
