16 Best Sights in Aruba

This is the local favorite, a half-mile stretch of gleaming white sand with rolling surf and great snorkeling. It can get busy on weekends—especially on Sunday—with local families bringing their own picnics, and visitors have discovered a cool little beach bar called Arashi Beach Shack there with great food, drinks, a lounge, and beach umbrella rentals. Amenities:food and drink; toilets; parking (free). Best for: swimming; snorkeling; walking.

On the island's Eastern Tip (near the refinery), this semicircular beach borders a placid bay of turquoise water that's about as shallow as a wading pool—perfect for families with little ones. A small coral reef basin at the sea's edge offers superb snorkeling, but do not pass the barrier—the current is extremely strong outside the rocks. JADS Dive Center offers snorkel equipment rentals, and this is a popular place to see and swim with sea turtles, too. Rum Reef on one end is a unique adults-only bar and infinity pool overlooking the beach, and below it is a family-friendly beach and snack bar. On the other end you can rent clamshell shade tents and lounges on the beach from Big Mama Grill, also a family-friendly gathering spot. Amenities: food and drink; showers; toilets; parking (free); Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

Near Baby Beach on the island's Eastern Tip, this beautiful curving stretch of sand is only slightly marred by its proximity to the tanks and towers of the oil refinery at the bay's far side. Look for the gorgeous, recently decorated mosaic stairs descending to the sand; the swimming conditions are excellent here. It's usually very quiet during the week, so you might have the beach all to yourself, but it's a local favorite on weekends. Full facilities can be found next door at JADS Dive Center strip on Baby Beach. Amenities: food and drink; toilets; parking (free). Best for: swimming; solitude.

This eastside beach is known for its white-powder sand. Snorkeling can be good, but bring a guide. The conditions aren't the best for swimming, as the currents can be strong. Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling; windsurfing.

A fairly isolated strip off a residential area, this tiny white-sand cove attracts snorkelers with its shallow water filled with fish and cool little caves. Swimmers will also appreciate the calm conditions. There aren't any facilities nearby, just a few public shade palapas but no chairs, so pack provisions and your own snorkel gear. It's popular with locals on weekends. Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

This is the choice for the island's best kiteboarders and expert windsurfers—even more so than Fisherman's Huts—but the currents are seriously strong, so it's not safe for casual swimming. It's very picturesque, though, and a perfect spot for a picnic. It's a few minutes from San Nicolas proper; look for the big red anchor or the kites in the air. Be forewarned: the conditions are not for amateurs, and there are no lifeguards or facilities nearby, should you get into trouble. Amenities: parking (free). Best for: solitude; walking; windsurfing.

You'll need a four-wheel-drive vehicle to make the trek to this strip of coastline near Fontein Cave and Blue Lagoon. Famous for its backdrop of stunning sand dunes, the beach itself is small, but with two rocky cliffs and crashing waves, it's as romantic as Aruba gets. The water is rough and swimming is prohibited, but it's a perfect picnic stop. Wear sturdy shoes, as the beach is rocky. Amenities: none. Best for: walking; solitude.

One of the most photogenic picnic spots on the island, this beach is two coves divided by limestone cliffs. One is treasured by surfers for its rolling waves; the other looks placid but has a current that is far too strong for swimming—you'll have to settle for sunbathing only. The best access is by four-wheel drive, as it's within the boundaries of rugged Arikok National Park, but do not drive on the sand or rocks. You might see locals surfing, but unless you are a pro, don’t try it yourself—the current is dangerously strong. Amenities: none. Best for: walking; solitude.

Fine white sand and calm water make this beach a great choice for sunbathing and swimming. It's the base beach for the Divi collection of all-inclusive resorts, so amenities are reserved for guests, but the locals like it, too, and often camp out here with their own chairs and coolers. The beach is accessible by bus, rental car, or taxi, and it's within easy walking distance to many stores for food and drinks. The Beach Bar---owned by Divi Resorts but not part of the all-inclusive plan----is open to the public and is a superb spot to have lunch or early dinner, swim, and watch the sunset. Amenities: food and drink; toilets; parking (free); water sports. Best for: swimming; partiers.

Beside the Ritz-Carlton, Fisherman's Huts (aka Hadicurari Beach) is a windsurfer, kiteboarder, and now "wing-foiling" haven. Swimmers might have a hard time avoiding all the boards going by; as this is the nexus of where the lessons take place for these water sports, it's always awash in students, experts, and board hobbyists. It's a gorgeous spot to just sit and watch the sails on the sea, and lately it's become increasingly popular among paddleboarders and sea kayakers, too. Only drinks and small snacks are available at the operator's shacks. There are no restrooms, but the Ritz lobby is nearby in a pinch. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free); water sports. Best for: windsurfing.

Just north of Boca Grandi on the eastern coast, a sweep of blinding-white sand in the shadow of cliffs and boulders is marked by an anchor-shape memorial dedicated to seamen. Pick sea grapes from January to June. Swimming is not recommended, as the waves here can be rough. This is not a popular tourist beach, so finding a quiet spot is almost guaranteed, but the downside of this is a complete lack of facilities or nearby refreshments. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude.

On the northwestern shore, this small cove bordered by limestone cliffs crests shallow waters that stretch 300 yards from shore. There are no snack or refreshment stands, but that might change with the addition of the new stretch of paved Linear Park path leading from Fisherman’s Huts to Arashi beaches which attracts plenty of cyclists, strollers, and runners. Most of the main snorkel boat tours stop here for a dip, as the water is crystal clear and full of tropical fish, so it can become very crowded after lunch. Go early in the morning if you want to swim/snorkel on your own. Wear beach shoes as the tiny strips of sand where you can gain access to the water are very rocky. You might see sea turtles there. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude; snorkeling; sunset.

Though technically in the region called Pos Chiquito, this beach is at the very beginning of Savaneta. With a purposely scuttled boat wreck near the coast and a lot to see outside the bay, this is one of the most popular spots for shore diving, but be aware that currents are strong once you're outside the cove. It's also popular for picnics, and a wooden dock and stairs into the ocean make getting into the water easy. Sea kayak tours depart from here, and some outfits offer power snorkeling and regular snorkeling as well. There are stores within easy walking distance for food and drink. There are very few palapas, but you can take shade under the many trees and mangroves. Amenities: water sports. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

This 40-acre tropical oasis is accessible only to guests of the Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort unless you buy a day pass (which are only available when resorts are not at full capacity.) Free boat shuttles pick up non-resort guests in the lower lobby of the marina resort. Iguana Beach is family-friendly, while Flamingo Beach is limited to adults and hosts half a dozen resident flamingos. (Children may visit the flamingos for a photo op daily from 9–10 am but must have an adult present.) The waters are clear and full of colorful fish; swimming/snorkeling is in a protected area, and there’s a full-service restaurant, beach bars, and waiter service on the beach. Rent a full-service cabana for more luxuries. Nonguests can book a treatment at their Okeanos Spa and gain access to the island afterward for free. Go early to snag a cool overwater hammock. Amenities: food and drink; toilets; showers; water sports. Best for: swimming; snorkeling.

This small pristine beach in between Mangel Halto and Governor's Bay (just before Flying Fishbone) makes an ideal picnic spot far away from the crowds. Swimming conditions are good—thanks to shallow water edged by white-powder sand—but there are no facilities and virtually no shade. Amenities: none. Best for: swimming.

Right behind Plaza Turismo and accessible by public bus, car, or taxi, this little urban beach just outside Downtown Oranjestad has two distinctly different beach bars, one for casual surf-side fun and the other more upscale, with its own pool and high-end food and drink that's open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It's easily accessible via the paved Linear Park as well, making it an ideal spot to stop for a dip when cycling or jogging along the bike path or strolling around the town. Plane-spotting is a given, since it's only 2 minutes from the airport. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free); toilets; water sports. Best for: swimming; partiers; sunset.