Best Beaches in Aruba by Car

The bottom line on beach-hopping

A rental car opens up all of Aruba's beaches on your schedule. The best snorkeling (Arashi, Mangel Halto), calmest water (Baby Beach), and least crowded stretches (Boca Grandi, Rodger's Beach) are all 15-40 minutes from the hotel zone.

Most beaches have free parking. Only Palm Beach gets congested; arrive before 10am for shore-side spots. Pack a cooler. Beach bars exist but prices run tourist-level high.

Palm Beach and Eagle Beach (0-5 minutes)

Palm Beach is right there if you're staying in the high-rise hotel zone. Watersports operators, beach bars, calm water, plenty of people. You won't need a car to reach it, but parking along the road is limited and fills by mid-morning.

Eagle Beach is 5 minutes south. Wider, calmer, famous for the fofoti (divi-divi) trees. The J.E. Irausquin Boulevard has roadside parking that's free and usually available. This is many visitors' favorite beach. Less crowded than Palm Beach but still has facilities.

Manchebo Beach sits between them, fronting the low-rise hotels. A bit quieter than both neighbors. Park along the road near Manchebo Beach Resort.

North coast snorkeling beaches (10-20 minutes)

Arashi Beach: 15 minutes from Palm Beach, near the California Lighthouse. Excellent snorkeling with clear water and diverse fish. Small parking lot that fills by 11am on weekends. This is the top snorkeling spot accessible without a boat.

Boca Catalina: 2 minutes before Arashi. Calm, shallow entry, great for snorkeling beginners or kids. Smaller than Arashi with limited shade. Parking along the road.

Malmok: Rocky entry but exceptional snorkeling. Park along the road. Popular with locals and serious snorkelers. Not great for swimming or sunbathing. This is a snorkel-and-go spot.

Tres Trapi (Three Steps): Named for the steps carved into the rock for water entry. Strong currents can make snorkeling challenging. 12 minutes from Palm Beach. Very small parking area.

South coast calm water (25-40 minutes)

Baby Beach: 40 minutes from Palm Beach, worth the drive. A shallow, calm lagoon protected by a reef. Perfect for kids and nervous swimmers. Decent parking lot, snack bar, restrooms. Go early; it gets crowded by noon.

Rodger's Beach: Right next to Baby Beach, more of a local vibe. Small beach bar, fewer tourists. Water isn't quite as calm as Baby Beach but still gentle. Easy to combine both in one trip.

Mangel Halto: 30 minutes from Palm Beach. Mangroves, kayaking, great snorkeling among coral formations. Small parking area that fills on weekends. Bring water shoes. The entry can be rocky.

Boca Grandi: Southeast coast, 35 minutes out. Windswept and wild. Popular with kitesurfers, not for swimming. Worth a stop for the dramatic scenery. Large parking area, rarely crowded.

When to visit each beach

Morning (7-10am): Best for snorkeling at Arashi and Malmok (calm water, good visibility, fewer people). Also ideal for Baby Beach before crowds arrive.

Midday (10am-2pm): Eagle Beach if you want sun and don't mind company. Manchebo for a slightly quieter scene. South coast beaches get hot. Bring shade.

Afternoon (2-6pm): Arashi and the California Lighthouse area for sunset views. The light is beautiful, water can be choppier. Mangel Halto is pleasant as temperatures drop.

Weekends vs. weekdays: Local families hit Baby Beach and Eagle Beach on weekends. For fewer crowds, go midweek. Arashi stays relatively quiet even on weekends until mid-morning.

Wind considerations: The south coast stays calmer when north winds pick up. Baby Beach and Rodger's Beach are protected. If wind is strong, skip Boca Grandi (sandblasting) and head south.