From its crowd-favorite strips like the Palm and Eagle Beach to its underrated, hidden gems right at the opposite side of the island, Aruba doesn’t have a shortage of awe-inspiring views. Top the natural beauty with an even more interesting local life, there is no reason not to visit Aruba.
What Ocean Is Aruba on?
Aruba lies along the western corridor of the Northern Atlantic Ocean, right at the south of the Caribbean sea. Situated just north off the coast of Venezuela, Aruba is a slice of tropical paradise boasting magnificent beaches, diverse awe-inspiring terrain, and heat-regulating trade winds for days.
Aruba’s location and conditions make for an interesting experience. For one, its location in the Atlantic and Caribbean has gifted it its majestic blue waters. Its location on the Lesser Antilles, a volcanic island arc, has made its interior landscapes as beautiful and interesting as its coastal features.
Aruba has so many draws in its “claim to fame” list that vacationing around the island is like experiencing the best of mother nature, minus the storms and hurricanes. This island nation’s location and conditions make it one of the most ideal getaway locales in the Caribbean, if not the world.
Is the Water Clear in Aruba?
Aruba is home to many of the world’s most beautiful beaches, you can expect clear and temperate waters all around the island, possibly all year round. If you come to any of the islands in the Caribbean, you can definitely say that crystal clear blue waters are somewhat the common denominator, and Aruba is one of them.
Each beach on the island offers a different experience, offering novelties in each visit. Some beaches are perfect for lounging and sunbathing because of their chilled atmosphere. Some are filled with activities around the sands and the waters. Some are ideal for snorkeling because of calmer waves.
What Color Is the Water in Aruba?
Aruba’s exquisite white sand beaches have their famous crystal clear blue, sometimes green water with frothy waves that are just picture-perfect and swim-worthy. Its Caribbean blue/green beaches are all backdropped with sweeping views of the Caribbean sea, and its neighboring islands in the Antilles.
Can You Swim in the Ocean in Aruba?
Aruba’s waters are safe to swim in and you can safely enjoy certain water activities in as well. From snorkeling, scuba diving, and jet-skiing, tons of activities are safe in Aruba, especially outside of the hurricane season months.
Is It Safe to Swim in Aruba?
Aruba’s beaches are safe and free, they’re not only swimmable but they’re also publicly accessed. You don’t have to stay in a fancy top-tier hotel to have sweeping ocean views. However, each beach has its quirks and perks that offer various novel things to everyone.
The only thing you have to watch out for, however, are huge crowds of people that you have to compete with for that perfect beach chill spot. Crowds are especially present during the high season, but other beaches are secluded for your access. And yes, they’re also safe.
How Deep Is the Water Around Aruba?
Most beaches in Aruba are no deeper than 5 feet or 1.5m. Their sandy bottoms that are friendly to bare feet swimmers make the beaches in the island an even bigger draw. You can expect that the water is completely safe, and enjoyable to swim in.
Is the Water Warm in Aruba?
The waters in Aruba’s beaches have temperatures that are mild enough to swim in enjoyable all through the year. Water temperature can range from 26 C or 79 F during January to April, 27C or 81 F from May to September, and the highest of 29 c or 84 F in October.
Aruba’s water temperatures never reach the colder end of the scale, giving the island temperate and mild waters to swim in all year round. An ideal characteristic that makes Aruba one of the best islands to visit.
Can You Snorkel Off the Beach in Aruba?
With crystal clear waters and diverse aquatic beauty, is definitely one of the best places in the Caribbean, if not the world, to snorkel around. Aruba’s island geography makes it exposed to the greater Caribbean sea, making snorkeling around the beaches open to the sea’s unpredictability.
However, the island has maintained a safe snorkeling reputation because of some coves or bays and behind a reef. While you can safely swim and snorkel around Aruba’s most famous beaches of Palm and Eagle Beach, there isn’t much to see underwater.
The Malmok Beach and Boca Catalina Cove are considered some of the best places to go for snorkeling. This is because of its rocky coastline and interesting submarine features. It is also protected by the cove which makes it safe for snorkelers.
Another one is the Mangel Halto, touted Aruba’s best snorkeling site, but it isn’t for beginners. It may have stronger currents and it is exposed to the sea, conditions that are best left for the experienced snorkelers and swimmers.
Mangel Halto’s draw is the reef that sits far off the shore. You will find a huge patch of healthy corals and tons of marine life. The site also offers good visibility for you to enjoy all the underwater marvels.
Is Aruba Good for Scuba Diving?
Aruba and the entire Caribbean sea is a perfect hotspot for scuba diving. With its rich aquatic features, marine life, and irresistible blue water beaches, and thriving diving scene, Aruba ranks high in the must-dive islands in the region. The key is to look for the best dive centers and resorts around the shores and pick a good season to dive.
Also, look for top dive resorts around Aruba before coming. Staying in dive resorts or at least near dive centers is ideal if your main reason for visiting Aruba is the diving scene. Divi Aruba, Caradonna Adventures, and Bluewater Dive are just some of the dive resorts, centers, and tours available on the island apart from the many.
Aruba’s beauty has created a thriving diving scene on the island and has been one of the best islands to do so. Arguably, there is no best time to dive in Aruba, the dry season has the best weather but hotter land temperatures, the wet season has lower rates, and rainier days, but all in all the water stays mild throughout the year.
What Is the Best Beach to Stay in Aruba?
When you talk about the best beaches in Aruba, there two very famous places that come to mind: Eagle and Palm Beach. These beaches have been on everybody’s radar ever since. Locals, frequent visitors, and first-timers to Aruba have been making this duo the go-to spots since the earliest days of Aruba’s tourism boom.
Palm Beach is a gorgeous strip of sandy beach with clear blue-green water that most resorts on the island called home. This locale is where most of the action in Aruba happens, tourist-wise. Its fame has gotten it huge waves of crowds over the year, especially during the high season.
Arguably the most beautiful beach on the island, Eagle Beach is rated one of the prettiest beaches in the Caribbean. Located just south of Palm Beach, it isn’t as crowded as the Palm and is wider and more beautiful. This beach is perfect for a chiller lounge, where you can spend the rest of the day.
What Beach Is Divi Aruba on?
Divi Resorts have different locations across the island, on various beaches that speckle the island. Divi Resorts All-Inclusive is located right at Druif Beach, best know for its oval beach with ivory-white sands. Another Divi, is the Divi Phoenix, calling Palm Beach home, Divi Phoenix is a four-star beach hotel that offers tour packages to those looking to have a jampacked experience on the island.
What Beach Is Marriott Surf Club Aruba?
The Aruban brand of the Marriot is located at the famed Palm Beach. The Marriott Aruba Surf Club is a family-friendly resort complete with amenities, like an outdoor pool, and a fitness center. The Marriott Aruba also has many activities available for everyone to enjoy.
Which Is Better – Palm Beach or Eagle Beach in Aruba?
It really depends on what you’re looking to experience in Aruba. If you’re the type who prefers to be around a lively atmosphere with lots of happenings and a huge crowd with a lovely stretch of beach and crystal clear waters then Palm Beach is the place to be.
And, if you prefer to lounge and swim on the beach the entire day, drink on hand, relatively quieter, with beautiful sweeping ocean views, then Eagle Beach is for you. This beach is a hit for people who want to get away from the noise and energy of Palm Beach.
Both these beaches, often brought up together when you ask for the best beaches on the island. With good reasons and draws, Palm and Eagle Beach will always be everyone’s first options for a quick beach getaway in Aruba.
How Long Is Palm Beach?
Palm Beach is a long stretch of white sandy beach and crystal clear water in Oranjestad that is about 21 miles long. Palm Beach, though not the longest on the island it is home to many of Aruba’s best resorts and is the most happening place on the island.
Together with Eagle Beach, just down south of the Palm, are considered the best beaches in Aruba. Palm Beach is jampacked with things to do, people to meet, and the best accommodation on the island. Just at the coastal Oranjestad, you can take a trip into the city and find more things to marvel at about Aruba.
Is Palm Beach Aruba Safe?
While petty crimes and gang threats still exist in the island nation, Aruba, for the most part, is still considered to be one of the safest islands in the Caribbean. And, that includes Palm Beach in Oranjestad.
Aruba prides itself on being one of the safest island nations in the Caribbean. Thanks to the island’s drive for happiness and tourism, safety and security are being exercised on top of the already warm and happy locals.
Is Eagle Beach in Aruba Public?
All beaches in Aruba can be freely accessed by the public, including Eagle Beach. This beach is regarded as the most beautiful beach in Aruba, and being free for everybody makes it an even better place to go.
What makes Eagle Beach more interesting is its quieter, more relaxed vibe than the famed Palm Beach, just up north. Eagle Beach has long been on everybody’s radar in Aruba and has quite the pretty yet chilled reputation.
Can You Walk From Eagle Beach to Palm Beach Aruba?
Eagle Beach is located just south of the lively Palm Beach with only half a mile walking distance. Although walkable, the road connecting both beaches isn’t paved, but it is a favorite jogging area for many.
These beaches are the famed beaches of Aruba, Oranjestad’s entry to Aruba’s most beautiful beaches list. To take a trip to both is one of the top things to do in Oranjestad, as both have certain differences that offer different things for everyone.
Are There Private Beaches in Aruba?
There are only a few private beaches in Aruba, mostly owned by resorts. De Palm Island and Renaissance Beach are owned by resorts that can only be accessed by guests through advanced booking and day tours.
Renaissance Beach is a tropical oasis owned by Renaissance Aruba Resort. You can purchase day passes when the resort occupancy isn’t too high. The island includes a spa, a restaurant, and other luxury amenities together with private cabanas for rent.
De Palm Island is only accessible by guests who book in advance. This resort offers an all-inclusive experience for families, friends, and couples. With a plethora of luxury amenities and features including snorkel and dive tour packages.
Does Aruba Have Pink Sand Beaches?
There are no Pink Sand Beaches in Aruba. Most of the pink beaches you see in travel magazines are around The Bahamas. However, despite the lack of pink beaches in Aruba, the island boasts many of the prettiest beaches in the Caribbean.
The Boca Prins can be Aruba’s entry to one of the most beautiful secluded beaches in the Caribbean that can rival pink beaches. Situated at the northeastern coast of Aruba, this secluded beach boasts white sand dunes, rocky shores, rugged but ridiculously beautiful.
Are Palm Trees Native to Aruba?
Surprisingly, palm trees aren’t native to Aruba. It might come as a shock that a beachy island nation doesn’t have indigenous palm trees. The palm trees you see around beaches were imported by the resorts to add diversity to the coastal landscape of the island.
Aruba is known to have a desert terrain with only a few vegetation like the Divi Divi tree and cacti forests. This adds interest to Aruba as the island’s unexpected landscape and vegetation boggles first-time travelers.
Are There Sharks in Aruba Waters?
Most sharks in Aruba lurk around the open waters far off the coasts and beaches. Much of Caribbean marine life is diverse and rich, so you can expect to spot sharks out in the open. However, it is uncommon to encounter sharks in Aruba, even so with dolphins and jellyfish.
If you spot some of these wild marine animals, it’s best to not approach them and only appreciate them from afar. Marine animals, just like any wild animal can be predictable especially if you’re not an expert on these creatures.
What Kind of Sharks Are in Aruba?
The open water of Aruba is home to many shark species. You can spot harmless reef sharks, gentle giant whale sharks, and the famous hammerhead sharks which are known to be unpredictable so watch out.
Does Aruba Have Shark Attacks?
Sharks lurk the open seas around Aruba, but to encounter them is rare. Given the rarity of their sightings, shark attacks haven’t been reported since the island’s tourism boom in the 90s. You can enjoy much of the beaches, panoramic ocean views, and diving quirks of the island without concern for a random shark attack – which is a draw in itself.
Have There Been Any Shark Attacks in Aruba?
If you look up online on shark attacks in Aruba, you will notice the lack of articles. This is because, while no sea is perfectly safe, there haven’t been any shark attack in Aruba in recent times.
Shark sightings are also uncommon on the island. As much as you want to see these majestic yet supposedly deadly creatures under the waters of Aruba, they can’t be easily spotted despite them lurking around the open seas.
When Was the Last Shark Attack in Aruba?
There haven’t been any shark attacks in Aruba. Try to look up online, or ask the locals when you get there, you’ll be met with the same answer: none so far.
What Is There to Do in Aruba Besides the Beach?
Aruba isn’t only a thing for beach bums, snorkelers, and experienced divers. If you love exploring the interiors of an island including the local life, you’ll find that there are plenty of things to check out in Aruba.
If you love open-air jeepneys, you can try the jeep tours of the Arikok National Park. It is often considered an Aruban must, going to the Arikok National Pak is an interesting experience, as it gives you a different perspective of the island from its beachy reputation. From rock formations, rugged terrains, with a backdrop of the Caribbean sea, this enchanting park is worth the wind and sand.
Aruba isn’t brimming with palm/coconut trees as you would expect in a tropical island, it is full of cacti instead, especially in the desert areas. The island is considered a desert island thus having a diverse terrain resembling Cabo, with fewer palm trees. You can trek around its cacti forest through jeep tours around the island.
At Dos Playa in Arikok, you don’t swim, you ride horses. You can have a dreamy horseback ride against the backdrop of the expansive Caribbean in Dos Playa. Right by the Natural Pool, you can see horses hanging out, however, you have to book in advance online.
You can take a sunset cruise if you want to get out of the beach and out into the ocean. Departing from Palm Beach, a sunset sail takes you to the shipwreck in the open sea and provides drinks while sailing along the coast as the sun goes down.
If you love a bit of adrenaline and see the entire island from above, you can go skydiving. What makes it exciting is dropping from the sky down to such a small island. You can book skydiving tours in Noord.
If you’re staying in any of the resorts along Palm Beach, you can easily head to downtown Oranjestad and check out some of the Dutch-styled buildings and try the local cuisine. You can also shop at the many especially stores across the city.
