Things to do in Aruba
Clear water, steady trade winds and a rugged interior make Aruba made for active days. Choose your element.
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
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
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)
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
Under the surface
Top snorkel spots from the shore
Arashi Beach
Calm, shallow north-west beach below the California Lighthouse, with free palapas, easy snorkelling on the left side and west-facing sunsets.
Baby Beach
Sheltered, waist-deep lagoon at Aruba's south-east tip: the island's best beach for small children, with free huts and snorkelling near the inlet.
Boca Catalina
Small, calm sandy bay on the Malmok coast with clear water and easy shore snorkelling, five minutes north of Palm Beach. Little shade.
Malmok Beach
Rocky coves with very clear, calm water on the north-west coast, popular with snorkel boats; offshore lies the Antilla, a German wreck scuttled in 1940.
Not sure where to start?
Our ready-made itineraries mix beaches, activities and sights into realistic days.