Things to do in Aruba

Land Moderate

Hiking in Arikok

Trails through Arikok National Park, from the easy Cunucu Arikok loop to Jamanota, Aruba's 188 m high point, with ranger-led hikes, the park pass and heat advice.

1.5–3.5 h

Land All levels

Horseback riding

Guided rides through Aruba's cactus country and along the rugged north coast, including routes to the Natural Pool in Arikok, mostly on gaited Paso Fino horses.

1–3 h

Tours Easy

Island highlights drive

A self-drive day loop around Aruba: California Lighthouse, Alto Vista Chapel, the Bushiribana gold mill, Ayo and Casibari rocks, Hooiberg, Arikok and Baby Beach.

6–8 h

Land Moderate

Jeep & UTV tours

Exploring Aruba's rugged north and east coasts by 4×4: where jeeps may drive, why ATVs and UTVs are banned from protected nature areas, and the Arikok park rules.

3–8 h

Water Easy

Kayak & paddleboard

Paddling Aruba's calm south and west coasts: the mangroves and reef of Mangel Halto, the protected Spaans Lagoen wetland, and the flat water off Palm Beach and Malmok.

1–3 h

Wind Lessons available

Kitesurfing

Kitesurfing on Aruba's steady easterly trade wind: learn in the shallows at Hadicurari (Fisherman's Huts), then move on to the waves of Boca Grandi in the south-east.

2–3 h per session

Tours Easy

Oranjestad walking tour

A self-guided walk through Aruba's capital: Fort Zoutman and the Willem III Tower, Wilhelminastraat's restored façades, Main Street and the free downtown streetcar.

2–3 h

Water Easy

Sailing & sunset cruises

Catamaran and schooner trips from Palm Beach along Aruba's sheltered west coast: snorkel sails over the Antilla wreck and evening cruises timed for the sunset.

2–4 h

Tours Easy

San Nicolas street art walk

A self-guided walk past the murals of San Nicolas, Aruba's former refinery town, where the Aruba Art Fair has left dozens of large works on its walls since 2016.

1–2 h

Water Lessons available

Scuba diving

Wreck and reef diving on Aruba's sheltered west and south coasts: the 1940 Antilla, the shallow Pedernales, the Jane Sea and shore dives at Mangel Halto.

2–4 h (two-tank trip)

Water All levels

Snorkelling

Shore snorkelling on Aruba's calm west and south coasts, from Boca Catalina and Malmok to Mangel Halto and Baby Beach, plus boat trips to the Antilla wreck.

1–3 h

Wind Lessons available

Windsurfing

Windsurfing at Hadicurari (Fisherman's Huts), home of the Aruba Hi-Winds since the 1980s: shallow flat water, a steady easterly trade wind and schools on the beach.

1–3 h