Oranjestad Day Trips: Top 5 Adventures in Aruba

So, you’re in Oranjestad, Aruba, and are maybe wondering what cool adventures are actually just around the bend? Well, as a matter of fact, you’ve definitely picked a really prime starting point for exploring this actually wonderful island! From the island’s wonderfully powdery beaches to its almost wildly rugged landscapes, there’s naturally quite a whole bunch of stuff to actually experience. This isn’t some sort of top ten countdown; it’s more like a kinda friendly guide to making memories that, honestly, you’ll want to kinda relive for what feels like years to actually come.

1. Arikok National Park: Aruba’s Natural Heart

First up, really, is Arikok National Park, and honestly, it’s pretty much a total change of pace from Aruba’s pretty well known resort areas. Instead of just white sand, imagine yourself basically surrounded by, sort of, dramatically wild desert landscapes, like tall cacti, and just really craggy coastlines. It really is a super good idea to go with a four-wheel drive vehicle because some of those routes are a little, kind of, rugged, honestly. So too it’s almost really easy to spend like a whole day sort of rambling around. Make sure you explore the caves. Like, seriously, the Fontein Cave is pretty wild because it features these seriously old Arawak Indian drawings. Also, as a matter of fact, the Quadirikiri Cave has bats. By the way, it’s super interesting but totally not, like, scary. In fact, it’s arguably an adventure, right?

2. Eagle Beach: Sun, Sand, and Serenity

Honestly, no trip to Aruba is very well complete without visiting Eagle Beach. I mean, seriously, it often tends to be mentioned as literally one of the very prettiest beaches sort of anywhere on the planet. What gives? That just truly picturesque stretch of pretty much sugary, white sand and the calm, actually, turquoise waters that make it just sort of perfect for taking a swim. It’s usually pretty crowded in spots. Though, usually, what’s cool is there’s plenty of space for you to kind of set up for an entire afternoon, pretty well, of sunshine, reading books, and actually dozing. Make sure to keep your camera ready for shots of those super iconic divi-divi trees sort of pointing at the ocean; honestly, they are quite the symbol of Aruba.

3. Baby Beach: Perfect for Families

Anyway, if you actually have small children in tow or are simply looking for truly calm, shallow waters, then definitely Baby Beach at the island’s most remote south end could be, maybe, what you need. Like, it’s perfect for a very stress free beach day because the water basically only comes up to your knees for literally what feels like miles! It’s super safe, sort of shallow, and is truly excellent for all ages. There is also fairly excellent snorkeling here near, for example, the entrance of the bay, where it is typically super teeming with teeny fishies. What’s also convenient is that Baby Beach is not that far from San Nicolas, in some respects also just sort of known as “Sunrise City,” where street art is basically transforming neighborhoods. It’s super easy to take in like two different vibes on one day trip, as a matter of fact.

4. California Lighthouse and Arashi Beach: A Picturesque Pair

Seriously, take a ride up to the completely most remote northwestern tip of Aruba to take in the California Lighthouse. Okay? By the way, it got its really unusual name from a really unfortunate shipwreck. It could be sort of the greatest spot for you to get views of, for example, the entire coastline. Seriously. As a matter of fact, as I was saying, just a stone’s toss very far from there actually awaits Arashi Beach. Actually, this place provides super gently lapping waters that feel amazing when just, for example, going for a swim. Arashi Beach is, in a way, also kinda really awesome because the local citizens enjoy hanging out and having parties at the remote spot, just making it super excellent to hang out a bit with residents.

5. Palm Beach: The Heart of Tourist Fun

So, if you want just basically an action packed kinda afternoon, head basically to Palm Beach! Along this section of shore you’ll find some high-rise resorts, very busy beach bars, plus pretty excellent watersport spots galore. So too, if there’s actually an adventurous someone in your crowd, that one person probably, seemingly, just loves all sorts of experiences on the waters – personally think paragliding, very high speeds, and some wind. As a matter of fact, Palm Beach just really gives some great options! The boardwalk in fact is simply ideal for you to very pleasantly stroll, while taking little, very light snacks or truly satisfying meals are always just so, so wonderful. Plus, the night life here can arguably get kind of lit; that really all gives you even more options!