3-Day Aruba Beach Itinerary: Arashi, Baby Beach, Eagle

Three days is enough to see Aruba's best beaches without rushing. This plan starts at the north end, takes a day trip to the far southeast, and finishes with a slow day of your choosing.

Day 1: The north end

Morning. Start at Arashi. The official description is calm, shallow, and clear. Snorkel on the left side as you face the sea. Our snorkeling guide gives you the details.

Midday. Get under the umbrella. WHO says UV peaks in the four hours around solar noon. Lunch can be a picnic, or you can go up near the lighthouse to eat.

Afternoon. Drive or walk to the California Lighthouse. The tourism office lists it as open daily from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM with $5 admission. Climb the 123 steps, then walk the Sasarawichi Dunes next door. Do not drive on them.

Evening. Sunset from the sand at Arashi or from the lighthouse. Times run from about 6:11 PM in November to 7:09 PM in July.

Day 2: Southeast road trip

Morning. Baby Beach is a calm, shallow, lagoon-style bay on the southeast tip. MyArubaGuide puts it about 45 minutes from Oranjestad, so go early. Frommer's says facilities there are limited to a refreshment stand and washrooms, so bring food and water.

Next door. Rodgers Beach is quiet and has a local feel, with calm protected water. It is worth a walk over.

Drive back. Mangel Halto is on the way if you are strong swimmers. Entry has sharp rocks, and the tourism office advises against it for weak swimmers. Leave Boca Grandi for watching, since it is a windsurfing beach with strong current and not ideal for swimming.

Day 3: Your pick

Option A, back to Arashi. Go with whichever part of day one you liked best. You will know where to go, and you can stay longer.

Option B, Eagle Beach. Wide white sand and gentle surf, with the well-known fofoti trees. Aruba's code of conduct says not to hang hammocks or belongings in the two fofoti trees on Eagle Beach. Make sure you keep clear of hotel setups. Aruba's 2026 guidelines say arranged hotel seating counts as in use, even if the guest stepped away.

Option C, Boca Catalina and Malmok. Snorkel the coves early. Bring water shoes, because Malmok has sharp rocks and sea urchins. Then go back to your chairs at Arashi for the afternoon.

What it costs for shade

The multi-day offer applies to consecutive days in one booking. For three days in a row, as a limited offer, day 2 is 10% off and day 3 is 20% off the set price:

• Day 1: $120.00
• Day 2: $108.00
• Day 3: $96.00
• Total: $324.00

Getting around

A car makes this much easier, especially on day 2. Aruba drives on the right, and speed limits are posted in km/h. Without a car, stay on the northwest coast for days 1 and 3 and use the Arubus L10A line. Reaching San Nicolas by bus takes a transfer in Oranjestad, per Arubus, so a Baby Beach day without a car takes planning.

Pack for three days

• Oxybenzone-free sunscreen
• Water shoes
• Your own snorkel gear
• A cooler bag and reusable bottles
• Reusable bags for wet clothes

Lock in your north end days

Each set is one big umbrella and two beach chairs, set up and anchored before you arrive. It is held under your name from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and you can leave and come back. See our Arashi Beach page for the setting.

Book your dates at least 24 hours ahead. Confirmation comes right away with a map.

Source: Aruba.com: Arashi Beach, WHO: The UV Index, Aruba.com: California Lighthouse, Wikipedia: California Lighthouse, Aruba.com: Sand Dunes, Gaisma: Oranjestad Sun Times, Aruba.com: Beaches and Coves, MyArubaGuide: Cruise to Aruba, Frommer's: Aruba Beaches, Aruba.com: Top-Rated Snorkeling Beaches, Aruba Code of Conduct, Aruba Tourism Authority: Beach Guidelines 2026, Aruba.com: Driving in Aruba, Arubus Line L10A, Arubus FAQ. Conditions change, so check on the day.