We do recommend renting a car, even for a few days, just to see some of the sites and other beaches on Aruba. There are many just a few miles away if you don’t want to go far!
Fishermans’ Huts
Right next to the new Ritz Carlton on the end of the high rise strip is one of the 2 main beach spots for kite and wind surfing on the island (the other one is at Boca Grandi, down by Baby Beach). Take lessons or just come watch the show for a little while. There are always people learning and the local athletes come after work for a quick ride on the water. Sunday afternoons are very nice for this. Bring your own chairs, towels, coolers, etc… as there are no amenities here. It is on the high rise strip, just past the Ritz Carlton and towards the lighthouse. Plenty of free parking.
North Shore Dunes
Great for an early morning hike! Follow the signs to the California Lighthouse (past the high rise hotels) and park about halfway up to the lighthouse off the road and then hike in to the Dunes to the water’s edge – there is strictly no swimming as the waves are harsh, but this area has beautiful views and is very different. It is an easy, flat hike but wear sneakers or beach shoes. Do not take your car into the dunes, as it is easy to get stuck…we know from first hand experience -oops! Bring some water and maybe some donuts picked up along your way! Then you can go up to the lighthouse and get some great pictures of the island.
Baby Beach
In San Nicholas, Baby Beach is about a 30 minute drive past the airport. It is a wide, beautiful beach with no surf so it is good for small children. The local schools actually use the lagoon for swimming lessons! There are very limited amenities, so bring the chairs and coolers with lunch and water from the penthouse. There are Divi trees to sit under and a few public huts, but there is usually someone who will rent you a shade umbrella as well. Just drive to San Nicholas and then look for signs to Seroe Colorado and then on to Baby Beach. Go early in the day and pack your lunch. On the way home, stop next to the giant red anchor at Boca Grandi and watch the kite surfers – you might see Eric on a Friday evening!
Arashi Beach
Gorgeous beach with shallow, calm waters off the tourist path, on the way to the lighthouse, you can’t miss it, with all new palapas but bring your own chairs and coolers. Gets very crowded with local families on Sundays but otherwise is pretty quiet. Absolutely beautiful clear water, and much closer than Baby Beach – great for swimming with kids.
Moomba Beach
This beach is next to the Holiday Inn on the high rise strip if you want a change of pace and more of a “scene” for the day (particularly good if you have teenagers who want a bit of space) go up there and rent chairs and an umbrella for the day – for 4 it will cost you about 20 USD. It is a great place with lively music and always a bikini parade along the surf! It is also a nice place for lunch and the Jolly Pirates snorkeling goes from here. You can walk the high rise hotel strip up and down for about a mile and check out the hotels and see how much nicer and uncrowded your own Eagle beach is! You can also take banana boat rides, parasail, etc… from beach.
Beach bumming
Walk up Eagle Beach (the Divi beach) as far as you can go to the right, which will take you almost to the Divi Phoenix hotel on the high rise strip. Take some water, it is a good mile or so walk! In May/June you will see a number of sea turtle nests roped off along the way and if you are lucky in June and July you may seem some little turtles hatching.