Noord#9 of 39 things to do in Noord

Hadicurari Beach

★★★★☆4.3 out of 5 · 68 reviews

Photo: © theStarWarsWife via TripAdvisor

About

Hadicurari sits between Palm Beach and Malmok on the northwest coast, where the hotel strip gives way to open sand and steady wind. Locals call it Fisherman's Huts — the low-rise pier and a handful of shacks are still here, though these days they mostly serve the windsurfers and kitesurfers who show up for the reliable cross-shore breeze. The #9 ranking in Noord reflects what it does well: space, fewer crowds than the high-rise beaches a quarter-mile south, and conditions that work whether you're on a board or just wading. The 4.3 rating holds across 68 reviews, which is decent for a beach that doesn't try to be everything. If you're not into wind sports, Hadicurari still works as a walk-and-watch spot — the kites are up most afternoons, and the water stays shallow for a long stretch. Parking is informal. Shade is limited. It's quieter than Palm Beach, busier than the wild northeastern coast.

Planning this?

Kitesurfing & Windsurfing: compare the 3 ways to do it

Planning this?

Snorkeling in Aruba: compare the 5 ways to do it

At a glance

Area: Noord
Swimming quality: ●●●○○
Snorkeling: ●●●○○
Crowd level: fewer▮▮▮▯▯more
Facilities: –
Shade: –
Family friendly: –

Photos

Visiting in June?

June offers warm weather and calm seas ideal for snorkeling and water activities. The island feels moderately busy with activity but not overwhelming crowds. Tours and restaurants are active, and many visitors report excellent experiences exploring both the beaches and rugged interior during this month.

Based on 150 traveler reports

Recent Pulse

We're still listening.

We'll show you what travelers are saying about this spot as soon as enough recent reviews come in. Check back shortly.

Other beaches

Noord© rmiamoto via TripAdvisor

Arashi Beach

Arashi Beach sits at the northwestern tip of the island, just past the high-rise strip, and it's the #1 thing to do in Arashi for a reason: the sand itself. It's soft, white, and better than what you'll find at Palm Beach or Eagle Beach if you're staying in the Noord area and don't want to drive south. The 4.5 rating across 3,000-plus reviews holds up, and it's earned back-to-back Travelers Choice awards. The trade-off is infrastructure — there's none. No shade, no facilities, no food stands. It's a bring-your-own-everything setup. Swimming and snorkeling are fine but not standout; if you want sea turtles or a shipwreck, head to Baby Beach or Malmok instead. Arashi is about the sand and the convenience if you're already on the north end of the island. Pack water, bring an umbrella, and expect straightforward beach conditions without the fuss.

Eagle Beach© ollieo637 via TripAdvisor

Eagle Beach

Eagle Beach runs along the southwestern coast between the high-rise strip and the airport, and it's consistently ranked among the Caribbean's best beaches. The sand is white and wide, the water is calm and swimmable, and the iconic divi divi trees lean sideways from decades of trade winds — those same winds that earned it four Travelers Choice awards also mean you'll deal with blowing sand most afternoons. The #5 ranking among Palm-Eagle Beach attractions reflects what it does well: fewer crowds than Palm Beach, better sand than most hotel beaches, and enough space that you can claim a spot without stepping over tourists. It's popular with couples and wedding parties for a reason — the divi divis photograph beautifully and the vibe is quieter than the action up north. Snorkeling is unremarkable here; the marine life and visibility don't compete with Baby Beach or Malmok. If you're bringing small kids, the wind can turn a beach day into a sand-in-everything situation. Visit early if you want calmer conditions.

Palm Beach© 751morganb via TripAdvisor

Palm Beach

Palm Beach runs along the high-rise hotel strip on the northwest coast, and the location is the whole selling point. You're steps from restaurants, bars, and nightlife — Bugaloé Pier alone has rentals, food, and drinks without leaving the sand. The beach ranks #7 among Palm–Eagle Beach attractions and pulls a Travelers Choice Best of the Best nod, so the crowds show up. That means limited towel space and a lively atmosphere that skews resort-entertainment rather than quiet escape. The tradeoff: water quality takes a hit from watersport boat traffic. Reviewers flag visible fuel and oil in the shallows, and the ocean floor can look murky. If snorkeling or pristine swimming matters, Baby Beach or Eagle Beach will serve you better. Palm Beach makes sense if you want convenience — walk off the sand to dinner, catch July 4th fireworks from the high-rises, or grab a cocktail without moving your car. The wind stays calmer here than on other parts of the island, which helps for floating but doesn't fix the boat residue.

Eat near this beach

Palm Beach

Pancake Factory

Pancake Factory sits on the Palm Beach strip, and the name is literal — pancakes dominate the menu, though you'll also find omelets, sandwiches, and a few dinner plates. The 4.8 rating across 125 reviews puts it at #26 in Noord, and the subratings hold steady: perfect atmosphere score, high marks for food and service, strong value at the mid-range price tier. The draw is straightforward breakfast and lunch done well, with portion sizes that justify the price and a casual setup that works for families. International and American standards fill out the rest of the menu, but most tables have at least one stack. Lines form on weekends, especially mid-morning, and they don't take reservations — first-come seating only. If you're staying nearby and want a reliable morning meal without the resort markup, this is the move. Just expect to wait if you arrive after 9.

Noord

Zucchini Restaurant Aruba

Zucchini sits inland in Noord, a few minutes from the high-rise strip but removed from the tourist crunch. The menu pulls from Italian, Mediterranean, and Greek traditions without locking into any single lane, and the kitchen delivers — the 4.5 food rating matches the overall score, which isn't common at this price tier. The restaurant earned a 2025 Travelers' Choice nod and ranks #59 out of 316 in the Oranjestad area, a solid showing for a mid-priced spot that isn't beachfront. The vibe is casual, the kind of place where kids are welcome and you're not expected to dress up. Service and value both rate above four, meaning plates arrive without drama and the bill doesn't sting. If you're rotating through resort restaurants and want something different without gambling on a random storefront, this is the move.

Oranjestad

Camara De Lobos Bar and Grill

Camara De Lobos sits inside The Marketplace Aruba on Lloyd G. Smith Boulevard in downtown Oranjestad, serving Portuguese and South American steakhouse fare in a casual setup. The perfect scores across food, service, and value from 37 reviewers suggest consistent execution — not common at a mid-priced spot in a shopping center. The #79 ranking in a town with over 300 dining options backs that up. The menu leans Portuguese-inflected, which means grilled meats done simply and well, plus South American influences that show up in the sides and marinades. It's the kind of place where you can bring kids without adjusting your own order, and the atmosphere rating of 4.8 means they've figured out how to make a marketplace stall feel like an actual restaurant. Walk-ins work. Cash and card both accepted. If you're shopping or passing through Oranjestad and want something more substantial than the waterfront tourist traps, this delivers without ceremony.

Stay near this beach

Savaneta

Aruba Bed & Beach

Aruba Bed & Beach sits in Pos Chiquito, a quiet stretch on the south coast near Savaneta, with direct beach access and a boutique feel. The 4.9 subrating for value stands out — not common at this price tier — and the cleanliness score matches it. The location rating is equally high, which makes sense if you want to be off the hotel strip but still on the sand. It's the top B&B in the area, though admittedly there are only two, and the sample size is small with 16 reviews. Still, the consistency across service, rooms, and sleep quality suggests they're doing the basics right. The vibe leans romantic and intimate rather than family resort; no kids' club, no swim-up bar, minimal party energy. If you're looking for all-inclusive or casino action, this isn't it. Walkability is limited — you're in a residential pocket, not a commercial zone — so plan on renting a car or using taxis to move around the island.

Savaneta

Aruba Beach Chalets

Aruba Beach Chalets is in Savaneta, the fishing village on the south coast where things quiet down considerably from the Palm Beach hotel strip. It's one of four specialty lodging options in the area, ranked #3 — which tells you more about the village's small scale than any deficiency here. The 5.0 cleanliness score is the standout, and the 4.1 location rating suggests guests appreciate the trade: less glitz, more local rhythm, direct beach access without the crowds. Rooms and service both sit at 4.0, so expectations should match the setting — this is beach-chalet simple, not resort-level polish. The 3.6 value score likely reflects that you're paying for proximity to the water in a neighborhood where dining and nightlife require a short drive. If you want Savaneta's slow pace and a clean place to sleep ten feet from the sand, it works.

Source: TripAdvisor · view on TripAdvisor →

Photos by individual contributors as credited above.

Review summaries are AI-paraphrased from public traveler reviews.