Things to Do in Aruba

Aruba packs a remarkable amount into one small, sunny island. It is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, sitting just off the coast of Venezuela and well outside the hurricane belt, so the weather holds steady at around 28C (82F) with constant trade winds and very little rain. The calm leeward beaches on the west and southwest are made for swimming and snorkeling, while the wild windward northeast coast, with its cactus, divi-divi trees, and crashing surf, is made for adventure. This guide walks you through the experiences worth building a trip around, from floating over a shipwreck to watching the sun drop from the deck of a catamaran.

Everything here is easy to reach. Aruba calls itself One Happy Island, English and Spanish are spoken everywhere alongside the official Papiamento and Dutch, US dollars are accepted right alongside the Aruban florin, and you drive on the right. Start with the water, then head inland to the desert park, and finish with the island's culture in Oranjestad and San Nicolas.

Snorkel the calm leeward coast

The west coast is one of the easiest places in the Caribbean to step off the sand and straight onto living reef. The water is clear, the entries are gentle, and you rarely need a boat to find something worth the trip.

Boca Catalina and Malmok

Boca Catalina is the island's signature snorkel cove, a small sheltered bay north of Palm Beach where calm, shallow water is full of sergeant majors, parrotfish, and the odd ray. You can wade in from the rocky shore and stay close to the surface over the reef. Just south, Malmok Beach has more rocky reef along its edges and is a favorite launch point for boat snorkel trips. Bring water shoes for the rocky entries, and come in the morning before the afternoon breeze ruffles the surface. See our overview of snorkeling at Boca Catalina for guided and self-guided options.

The Antilla shipwreck

The Antilla is one of the largest wrecks in the Caribbean, a German freighter scuttled off the northwest coast during the Second World War. It rests in relatively shallow water near Malmok, encrusted in coral and swarming with fish, and the upper sections sit close enough to the surface that snorkelers can take it in from above while divers explore the holds. Most catamaran and boat tours include a stop here. If you want to go deeper, the Antilla shipwreck dive takes you right inside the structure. The whole reef system off this coast falls within the Aruba Marine Park, so the usual reef etiquette applies: look, do not touch.

More calm-water spots

• Mangel Halto on the southeast coast is a mangrove-fringed cove with a reef channel that is excellent for both snorkeling and paddleboarding at Mangel Halto.
• Arashi Beach at the northwest tip has calm, clear water and reef on its rocky flanks, near the California Lighthouse.
• Tres Trapi, named for its three steps down to the sea, is a small local snorkel spot where green turtles are sometimes seen grazing.
• Baby Beach at the island's southern tip is a shallow, calm lagoon, ideal for families and gentle first-time snorkeling.

Take a jeep safari through Arikok National Park

Arikok National Park covers nearly a fifth of Aruba, a rugged desert of cactus, volcanic hills, gold-mine ruins, and a dramatic windward coastline. A four-wheel-drive is the way to see it, because the interior tracks are rough and the best sights are spread out. A guided jeep safari through Arikok takes the hassle out of navigation and gets you to the highlights, or you can rent your own UTV or ATV for an off-road ATV and UTV tour.

Inside and around the park, look for these landmarks:

• The Natural Pool (Conchi), a sheltered rock-ringed basin on the wild coast where you can swim while waves break on the outer rocks. It is reachable only on foot, by horse, or by four-wheel-drive.
• Dos Playa and Andicuri, two wild windward beaches with powerful surf, beautiful to see but not for swimming.
• The Natural Bridge area on the north coast, where the sea has carved arches out of the limestone.
• Caves with ancient rock drawings and stands of towering cactus that define the park's stark beauty.

Bring plenty of water, sun protection, and sturdy shoes. The park is hot and shadeless, and the trade winds can be deceptively strong on the exposed coast.

Explore the rock formations and lighthouse country

Away from the park, Aruba's dry interior hides a cluster of unusual sights. The Casibari rock formations and the nearby Ayo rock formations are giant tumbled boulders you can climb for views across the island, with Ayo also holding ancient Arawak petroglyphs. Rising in the middle of the island is Hooiberg, a haystack-shaped hill with a long staircase to a panoramic summit.

At the northwest tip, the California Lighthouse stands over the windswept dunes and is a classic sunset perch. Not far away, the simple Alto Vista Chapel, the island's first church, sits alone on a cactus-covered hillside above the sea. A guided horseback riding tour is a memorable way to reach the chapel and the quieter stretches of the north coast.

Sail at sunset on a catamaran

An evening sail is one of Aruba's signature experiences. A sunset catamaran cruise glides along the calm leeward coast off Palm Beach and Eagle Beach as the sky turns gold, usually with drinks, music, and an easy, social atmosphere on deck. Daytime snorkel and sail cruises combine the sail with stops at the Antilla wreck and Boca Catalina, so you get both the reef and the ride in one trip.

For more time on the water, the island also offers parasailing over Palm Beach, deep-sea fishing charters, a glass-bottom submarine tour over the reefs, and a full day at De Palm Island, a private island set up for snorkeling, slides, and all-inclusive ease.

Catch the wind: windsurfing and kitesurfing

Aruba's relentless trade winds make it one of the best wind-sport destinations in the Caribbean. Windsurfing at Fishermans Huts (Hadicurari), just north of the high-rise hotels on Palm Beach, is the classic spot: steady side-shore wind, flat shallow water close to shore, and a friendly scene for beginners and freestylers alike. It hosts the long-running Aruba Hi-Winds event each summer.

For stronger riders, kitesurfing at Boca Grandi on the windward southeast coast offers bigger wind and waves, suited to experienced kiters rather than first-timers. Lessons and rentals are available at Fishermans Huts if you want to learn the basics in calmer conditions first.

Wander Oranjestad, the capital

Oranjestad is a walkable, colorful capital of Dutch colonial facades painted in pastel. Hop on the free Oranjestad streetcar, a vintage trolley that loops through the main shopping streets, and stop at Fort Zoutman, the island's oldest building, which houses a small historical museum and hosts the weekly Bon Bini Festival of music, food, and dance. Stroll the green of Wilhelmina Park along the waterfront, browse the marina, and sample local dishes like keshi yena, pastechi, and pan bati, washed down with a cold Balashi beer or a signature Aruba Ariba cocktail.

Discover the street art of San Nicolas

San Nicolas, the island's second city in the south, has reinvented itself as Aruba's cultural capital. Once a sleepy refinery town, it is now covered in San Nicolas street art, with huge, vivid murals by international artists turning whole buildings into open-air galleries. The city hosts the annual Aruba Art Fair and is nicknamed Sunrise City. Nearby beaches like Rodgers Beach and Baby Beach make an easy add-on to a mural-hunting afternoon.

See more of the island's nature

Aruba's wild side is not only in Arikok. The Bubali Bird Sanctuary near Palm Beach is a wetland that draws herons, egrets, and migratory birds to its former salt pans, with a watchtower for viewing. The mangroves and inlets of Spanish Lagoon shelter the island's only mangrove forest and plenty of birdlife. Animal lovers can also visit the donkey and butterfly attractions for a gentler outing with children. For the full sweep of beaches, from the famous Eagle Beach with its wind-bent divi-divi tree to the quiet Druif Beach and Manchebo Beach, see our full list of Aruba beaches.

Time it with a festival

Aruba's calendar is full of color. Aruba Carnival runs through January and February with weeks of parades, music, and costumes, building to the grand finale before Lent. The Soul Beach Music Festival brings big R&B and comedy acts over the late-May holiday weekend, and the Aruba Hi-Winds competition fills Fishermans Huts with sails each summer. At year's end, the Dande Festival ushers in the New Year with traditional song. Browse the full events calendar to plan around them.

A simple first-timer plan

To string it together: spend your first morning snorkeling at Boca Catalina and the Antilla wreck on a snorkel-and-sail cruise, then relax on Eagle Beach in the afternoon. Devote a full day to a jeep safari through Arikok, the Natural Pool, and the rock formations. Save an evening for a sunset catamaran sail off Palm Beach. Then give a half-day to culture, splitting it between the Oranjestad streetcar and the murals of San Nicolas. Rent a car or join tours, carry US dollars or florin for entry fees, and drink plenty of water in the desert heat.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the must-do activities in Aruba?

The top experiences are snorkeling at Boca Catalina and the Antilla shipwreck, a four-wheel-drive jeep safari through Arikok National Park to the Natural Pool, a sunset catamaran cruise off Palm Beach, windsurfing at Fishermans Huts, and exploring the capital Oranjestad and the street art of San Nicolas. Most can be done off the beach or on an easy half-day tour.

Where is the best snorkeling in Aruba?

Boca Catalina is the most popular calm cove for shore snorkeling, with clear shallow water full of fish. The Antilla shipwreck near Malmok is a highlight for both snorkelers and divers. Mangel Halto, Arashi Beach, Tres Trapi, and Baby Beach are other gentle, calm-water spots on the leeward and southern coasts.

Do I need a four-wheel-drive to visit the Natural Pool?

Yes. The Natural Pool, known locally as Conchi, sits on the rugged windward coast inside Arikok National Park and is reachable only on foot, by horseback, or by four-wheel-drive. The easiest way to reach it is on a guided jeep or UTV safari, which handles the rough interior tracks for you.

When is the best time to go to Aruba?

Aruba is warm, dry, and sunny year-round at around 28C (82F) and sits outside the hurricane belt, so any month works. Trade winds keep it comfortable. Time a visit with Carnival in January and February, the Soul Beach Music Festival in late May, or Aruba Hi-Winds in summer if you want the island at its liveliest.

What is there to do in San Nicolas?

San Nicolas, Aruba's southern city, is the island's street-art capital, covered in large murals by international artists and home to the annual Aruba Art Fair. Combine a mural walk with a visit to the calm Baby Beach and Rodgers Beach nearby for an easy half-day away from the resort strip.

Can beginners try windsurfing or kitesurfing in Aruba?

Yes. Fishermans Huts, just north of Palm Beach, has steady side-shore wind and flat, shallow water that is ideal for learning to windsurf, with lessons and rentals on site. Kitesurfing at Boca Grandi on the windward coast has stronger wind and waves and is better suited to experienced riders.