Natural Bridge

The Natural Bridge is one of the classic stops on Aruba's rugged windward coast, reached on the rough roads inland from Santa Cruz. For decades a great arch of coral rock, carved over centuries by the relentless pounding of the Atlantic surf, was the island's most famous natural landmark, appearing on countless postcards.

The original bridge collapsed suddenly in 2005, and what remains is the dramatic site of its fall, plus a smaller arch known as the Baby Bridge nearby. The setting is still spectacular: dark coral cliffs, white spray exploding against the rock, and the wild, unswimmable sea of the northeast shore, a stark contrast to the calm leeward beaches at Eagle Beach and Palm Beach.

The wild windward coast

This stretch of coast is rough, rocky, and battered by trade-wind swell, so it is for looking rather than swimming. The same coastline holds other windward sights such as the Natural Pool within nearby Arikok, and wild beaches like Andicuri and Dos Playa.

• The site is free to visit, with a small snack stand often open nearby.
• The access roads are unpaved and rough; many visitors come by tour or 4x4.

Keep well back from the cliff edge and the surf, which is powerful and unpredictable, wear sturdy shoes, and bring water for the exposed, shadeless site.