Palm Beach

Palm Beach is the energetic heart of Aruba's tourism. This long, palm-dotted stretch of soft white sand runs in front of the island's high-rise hotels, casinos and beach clubs, and it buzzes from morning to night. The water is calm, clear and shallow, with rows of thatched palapas, watersports stands, floating docks and beach bars lining the shore.

Because it is so well served, Palm Beach suits visitors who want everything within reach: jet skis, banana boats, parasailing, paddleboards, snorkel trips and sunset sails all launch straight from the sand. The calm, protected water is excellent for swimming, and the northern end near the pier is a good spot to watch boats come and go. By night the boulevard behind the beach fills with restaurants, bars and live music.

Planning a Palm Beach day

• Public access is free; palapas in front of hotels may be reserved for guests, but plenty of open sand remains.
• Watersports operators line the beach for jet skis, parasailing and boat tours.
• It is busiest midday and at sunset; mornings are calmer for swimming.
• The boulevard behind the beach has shops, restaurants and bars.

Palm Beach sits in the resort district of Palm Beach, next to the calmer Eagle Beach and a short drive from the snorkeling coves at Malmok Beach and Boca Catalina. The Antilla shipwreck off this coast is a favourite for snorkel and dive trips.