Best beaches in Aruba

Druif Beach

With a spectacular stretch of sugar white sand, calm turquoise waters and a location close to the lively town of Oranjestad, there’s plenty of sun, sea and sand to be had on a vacation to Druif Beach in Aruba. Spend laidback mornings unwinding on the sun-soaked coastline, indulge in afternoon cocktails in the seafront bars, and relish evenings in high-quality restaurants enjoying delicious island cuisine before trying your luck in the Seaport Casino. There’s also plenty to do with the kids, including hurtling along the Bushiri Karting Speedway, watching fantastic stage shows and venturing inland to discover the dramatic island landscape.

A vacation to Druif Beach is all about taking it easy. Take up residency on the miles-long sandy stretch of beaches and enjoy the nonstop sunshine, powdery sand and warm Caribbean waters. Take a leisurely swim when you want to cool off or retreat to the shaded beach bars and grab a refreshing beer or cocktail. Cozy couples will enjoy the remoteness of Druif Beach where they can watch spectacular sunsets and enjoy romantic evening walks along the sand.

If you want to turn the action up a notch, take the plunge and get involved in one of the water sports available along the beach. Swimmers will enjoy the great snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities while watersport fans will want to get stuck in perfecting their jet skiing and kayaking skills.

Not far from Druif Beach you will find a plethora of adventurous activities to enjoy. For those who want to explore the island’s landscape, cycling along the dramatic north coast will take you to some of the island’s most breath taking viewpoints, while golf enthusiasts will want to practice teeing off in the nearby golf course. Kids will enjoy a trip downtown to Oranjestad where they can visit a handful of intriguing museums during the day and take a seat in one of the theatres to watch spectacular stage shows in the evenings.

Fashionistas will be in shopping heaven in Oranjestad that is brimming full with designer outlets and shopping malls. You’ll find everything from big designer names such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton to locally handmade items and gorgeous jeweler. There are also familiar food chain brands where you can grab a morning coffee or afternoon snack and top quality restaurants to try some delicious cuisine. Expect sizzling steaks, sticky ribs and great seafood.

Eagle Beach

Discover paradise with a vacation to Eagle Beach. Located on the gorgeous western coast of Aruba, Eagle Beach is a picturesque stretch of powdery white sand and sparkling turquoise sea, making it the perfect destination for a very relaxing vacation. There’s also beautiful scenic highlights to be found, including the world famous fofoti trees and the rugged coastline that is best discovered by moped. Spend the morning swimming in the warm ocean water, the afternoon working on your tan and nights in the lively beach bars.

An Eagle Beach vacation is all about relaxing on the pristine beaches and enjoying a slice of laidback island life. Take up a sun lounger and sunbathe in the sun, build great sandcastles with the kids and cool off in the turquoise ocean- it’s all about taking it easy!

If you’re planning to visit in the months of March-July, don’t miss the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the turtle nests on Eagle Beach. Protected by red and white dotted markers, the nests containing a staggering 80 eggs usually hatch around sunset, when you’ll a see series of baby turtles descend into the sea. It’s a heart-warming and once in a lifetime opportunity, so whether you’re traveling with the kids or not, make sure you make time to see it!

Adrenaline junkies will be pleased to hear that there is plenty to get stuck into on Eagle Beach’s ocean front. Choose from a great range of water sports including kayaking, tube riding and wake boarding in addition to fantastic opportunities to learn how to scuba dive. Take the plunge and discover the undersea world!

If you want a day away from the beach head inland and explore Aruba’s landscape. Seek out the intriguing caves, hike through the lush Arikok National Park and track down the glorious flora and fauna that inhabits the island. If you can manage to pry the kids away from the beach, a trip to Aruba Fun City is a good place to go. The indoor entertainment center is packed full of attractions for kids and teens of all ages making it a fun-filled day out of the sun.

When it comes to evening entertainment, you’ll be spoilt for choice with the array of bars and restaurants in Eagle Beach. Choose sea facing restaurants for great seafood dishes or head inland and try some tantalizing island cuisine such as fruity cool island soup, soba lamb stew or a cheese filled pastechi pie. For a fun filled night out, visit one of the island casinos where you can try your luck in a game of roulette, or sit back and enjoy a laid back drink in one of the open air beach bars. For family fun, head to the Eagle Beach Bowling Center and see who is the first to score a lucky strike!

Manchebo Beach

Take your next vacation to westernmost point of Aruba for unparalleled Caribbean sunsets, all from the comfort of beautiful Manchebo Beach. This dreamy section of the Caribbean island has some of the best beaches on the island and is only a stone’s throw away from the hustle and bustle of Aruba’s capital city. Manchebo Beach is part of Aruba’s widest stretch of sand, near Eagle Beach, and the perfect place for a peaceful beach vacation or a romantic getaway for two.

The island of Aruba is perfect for families with young or older children, and romantic retreats. There are plenty of watersports and other activities to keep the kids and you occupied, as well as land-based entertainment for all ages. Work on your swing on a golf course within view of the Caribbean, or visit the Bubali Bird Sanctuary. Don’t forget to visit the adorable Butterfly Farm just north of Manchebo Beach by Eagle Beach.

Rent some gear and explore the Antilla Shipwreck to the north on a dive tour for some of the most fascinating marine life. Uncover more of Aruba’s past with a trip to the Archaeological Museum of Aruba in the capital, complete with Amerindian artifacts and changing temporary exhibits.

You will not go hungry on the island of Aruba; you have the same dining choices as the States, but with an island vibe. You can choose from cheap eats with familiar tastes, exquisite beachfront dinners and a range of cuisines for picky taste buds.

Try channeling Lady Luck on a visit to Alhambra Casino, just off the main boulevard. The thriving nightlife of Aruba caters to a whole host of tastes; spend dusk ‘til dawn dancing in a club, belting out your best karaoke, or enjoying a few drinks at a bar with friends. With plenty of bus stops nearby and easy access to the main city of Oranjestad, a vacation to Manchebo Beach is like paradise.

Make sure your stay in Manchebo Beach coincides with at least one of the fabulous island holidays and events, like the weeks-long Aruba Carnival, or the Electric Festival for a surefire lively vacation.

Novel Noord

Just north of Venezuela, the beautiful Caribbean island of Aruba floats in a group of islands called the Netherlands Antilles. Aruba boasts incredible clear waters, pure white sand beaches, a year-round temperate climate and very little rainfall – meaning anytime of the year is great to visit the town of Noord in Aruba. Settled on the most northern tip, Noord is the perfect place to come and see what Aruba has to offer. Ideal for families and couples alike, there is a whole host of activities to keep even the fussiest person busy.

Get away from it all with a stay in Noord, you are guaranteed to lose whatever stress you might have with you. There are so many things to do in Noord that you have to plan your time carefully or you might just miss out.

If you come on vacation purely for the beach, you will not be disappointed by Noord. The pristine beaches just beg to be taken advantage of. Eagle Beach, for example, is blessed with stunning vistas and golden sand. For those into watersports there are great snorkeling spots with calm water conditions so you can explore the depths to your heart’s content. Scuba diving is also very big in Aruba, with the 400-foot German shipwreck a popular place to dive. The Antilla shipwreck is actually one of the best wrecks to see close up as it is covered in coral with a myriad of marine life populating its still largely intact frame.

The fishing scene in Noord is also highly rated, with deep sea fishing and marlin trips off the coast. Charter a boat with the finest equipment and guidance to a good spot and try your luck catching the biggest fish you can.

For the adventurous vacationer, you can skydive over Aruba and see the magnificent shoreline as you fall from thousands of feet high to a gentle landing. This thrilling activity is a way to create the memory of a lifetime. Trike tours also offer a unique and slightly less heart-stopping tour of the island with some expert tips from a knowledgeable guide.

For a chance to play on a championship green visit the Tierra del Sol Golf Course. Designed by the notable Robert Trent Jones, the course spans an impressive 18 holes against the backdrop of breath-taking ocean views. The course is a challenge for all skill levels with a different approach angle to test more experienced players. A day on the green here offers the perfect chance to wind-down and de-stress.

Or to relax just spoil yourself, you deserve it, with a trip to a cleansing spa. Treat yourself to aromatherapy, hydrotherapy massages and hot stone treatments designed to dissipate all the aches, pains and restore your inner balance. Cleanse your body of all negativity, improve flexibility and detox yourself with a yoga class that will calm your mind.

Palm Beach

If you’re dreaming of sun soaked days on idyllic sandy beaches, look no further than a vacation to Palm Beach on the gorgeous island of Aruba. Home to a two-mile stretch of sugar white sand and calm turquoise water, it is a great holiday destination for those looking to kick back and relax. Take morning strolls along the waters edge, take a plunge in warm sea or hideaway and indulge in some refreshing cocktails. There’s also a great array of colorful fish that inhabit the sea, making it an oasis for swimmers and snorkelers.

With such pristine beaches, kicking back and relaxing will be top priority during your vacation to Palm Beach. Find a spot along the sandy shore and enjoy a day of sunbathing, gentle swimming and some sandcastle making. Adrenaline junkies will be pleased to hear that the beach also plays host to wealth of water sports and activities, including parasailing, kayaking and fun filled tube rides.

If you want to experience some inland island adventure, head to Arikok National Park. Spanning an amazing 7907 acres, the luscious park is home to dramatic landscapes and an endless list of flora and fauna. Embark on a tour where you will come to face with the animals that roam freely throughout the park; seek out the Aruban Burrowing Owl, find the Aruban Whiptail Lizard and look out for the Aruban Rattlesnake. There are also some interesting caves to be discovered and explored, just watch out for the resident bats!

When it comes to nightlife, you won’t need to look further than the seafront. You’ll find high-quality restaurants serving up fresh seafood dishes, and lively bars offering expertly made cocktails. However, if you would prefer to venture inland, you can take an early evening shopping spree in one of Aruba’s largest shopping malls or take a trip to the casino. For a romantic evening, couples can also enjoy a candlelit dinner by the sea.

Family fun will center around the beach, where you can spend the day swimming and splashing in the turquoise ocean. However, there are also handfuls of attractions on the island that make a great day away from the beach. Go horseback riding and seek out some of Aruba’s surreal vantage points, take a trip to the interesting Butterfly Farm, or visit one of the local towns where you’ll find historical buildings and authentic island cuisine.