Palm Beach

Palm Beach is Aruba's busiest beach: a strip of white sand about two miles (3.2 km) long on the calm west coast, roughly 6 km north-west of Oranjestad, lined with the island's high-rise resorts. The Aruba Tourism Authority describes calm water suited to swimmers and snorkellers, plus piers, beach bars, restaurants and water-sports concessions. Choose it for convenience and activity rather than solitude.

Is Palm Beach good for swimming?

Yes, on most days. Like the rest of the west coast it lies in the lee of the trade wind, so the sea is usually calm and shallow near the shore. The main thing to watch here is traffic, not waves: boats, jet skis and tow toys operate from the piers and concessions. Swim close to shore, stay well away from the piers and the lanes used by boats, and give children a bright swim cap or float so they are easy to see.

What is there to do?

Palm Beach is where most of Aruba's beach activity is concentrated. Water-sports stands along the sand rent equipment and run trips, and sailing and snorkel cruises leave from the piers, many heading north to the reefs and wrecks off Malmok. Further north, beyond the hotels, Hadicurari is the island's windsurfing and kitesurfing hub. After dark, the area just behind the beach has restaurants, casinos and two large shopping malls.

How did Palm Beach get its name?

The name comes from a coconut plantation once run here by R.J. Beaujon, who named it after Palm Beach in Florida; the shoreline was officially registered as Palm Beach in 1960. Hotel development began after the government land lease was rescinded in 1958, and the first hotel opened in the 1950s as a row of bungalows on the sand. Today the high-rises stand almost shoulder to shoulder.

Is there shade, and is the beach public?

All beaches in Aruba are public, so you can walk and swim the entire length of Palm Beach. Most loungers and palapas, however, belong to the resorts or are rented out by concessions, so there is less free shade here than at Eagle Beach. If you are not staying on the strip, bring your own shade or plan to rent.

When is the best time to go?

Early morning, when the sand is quiet and the water is at its clearest, and sunset, when the sun drops into the sea opposite the hotels. Sea turtles occasionally nest on Palm Beach too, so the same night-time rules apply as on Eagle Beach: lights off and no furniture left on the sand.

For the wider area, see Palm Beach & Noord.