While Eagle Beach and Palm Beach get all the attention, Aruba has numerous hidden gems perfect for travelers seeking solitude and adventure. Here’s your guide to the island’s most beautiful secret beaches and how to find them.
Quick Tips Before You Go
- Rent a 4×4 vehicle for accessing remote beaches
- Bring plenty of water and snacks
- Download offline maps
- Pack reef-safe sunscreen
- Bring water shoes for rocky areas
Mangel Halto Beach
Location: Pos Chiquito area, southeastern coast
Why Visit
- Outstanding snorkeling
- Mangrove forests
- Crystal clear water
- Local atmosphere
- Great for photography
What to Know
- Limited facilities
- Shallow water entry
- Good shade from mangroves
- Popular with locals on weekends
- Some rocky areas
How to Get There
- Drive south past Savaneta
- Look for small wooden stairs leading to beach
- Limited parking along road
- 25 minutes from Palm Beach area
Best For
- Snorkeling
- Photography
- Peace and quiet
- Meeting locals
- Mangrove exploring
Boca Prins
Location: Inside Arikok National Park
Why Visit
- Dramatic limestone cliffs
- Pristine sand dunes
- Wild, untouched beauty
- Few visitors
- Amazing photo opportunities
What to Know
- No swimming (dangerous waves)
- Need 4×4 vehicle
- Park entrance fee required
- No facilities
- Strong winds
How to Get There
- Enter Arikok National Park
- Follow signs to Boca Prins
- 45 minutes from Oranjestad
- Rough road conditions
Best For
- Photography
- Nature walks
- Picnics
- Adventure seeking
- Landscape viewing
Dos Playa
Location: Arikok National Park
Why Visit
- Twin cove formation
- Dramatic waves
- Natural pools
- Rock formations
- Few tourists
What to Know
- No swimming (dangerous currents)
- Need 4×4 vehicle
- Park entrance fee required
- Basic facilities
- Strong winds common
How to Get There
- Through Arikok National Park
- Well-marked trails
- Parking available
- 40 minutes from Oranjestad
Best For
- Photography
- Hiking
- Nature watching
- Adventure
- Picnics
Boca Keto
Location: Northeastern coast
Why Visit
- Natural pool formations
- Unique rock formations
- Complete solitude
- Raw beauty
- Great for exploring
What to Know
- Difficult access
- Need 4×4 vehicle
- No facilities
- Rough terrain
- Strong currents
How to Get There
- 4×4 required
- Follow unmarked trails
- Local guide recommended
- 50 minutes from hotel area
Best For
- Adventure
- Photography
- Rock exploring
- Nature lovers
- Hiking
Blackstone Beach
Location: Northern coast near California Lighthouse
Why Visit
- Black volcanic rocks
- Unique landscape
- Few visitors
- Good fishing spot
- Sunset views
What to Know
- Rocky terrain
- Limited sand areas
- No facilities
- Strong winds
- Difficult access
How to Get There
- Park near California Lighthouse
- Short hike required
- 15 minutes from Palm Beach
- Limited parking
Best For
- Rock collecting
- Photography
- Fishing
- Sunset watching
- Short adventures
Kant’i Bok
Location: North coast
Why Visit
- Natural pools
- Rock formations
- Private feel
- Good snorkeling
- Local favorite
What to Know
- Rocky access
- Need water shoes
- No facilities
- Strong currents possible
- Limited parking
How to Get There
- North of Alto Vista Chapel
- Dirt road access
- 20 minutes from Palm Beach
- Look for local cars
Best For
- Swimming in pools
- Snorkeling
- Local experience
- Adventure
- Photography
Essential Tips for Hidden Beach Visits
Safety First
- Never swim alone
- Check weather conditions
- Respect warning signs
- Bring first aid kit
- Share location with others
What to Pack
- Water (lots of it)
- Snacks and food
- Sun protection
- Water shoes
- Camera
- Basic first aid
- Offline maps
- Towels
- Change of clothes
- Trash bags
Best Times to Visit
- Early morning or late afternoon
- Weekdays for fewer locals
- Off-season for better weather
- Avoid cruise ship days
- Check tide tables
Transportation Tips
Vehicle Requirements
- 4×4 necessary for most spots
- High clearance needed
- Good tires essential
- Check rental agreement
- Consider guided tours
Navigation
- Download offline maps
- Save coordinates
- Take photos of routes
- Ask locals for directions
- Consider local guide
Photography Tips
Best Times
- Golden hour (sunrise/sunset)
- Early morning for calm waters
- After rain for clear skies
- Cloudy days for dramatic shots
- Full moon for night photos
Best Spots
- Boca Prins dunes
- Dos Playa cliffs
- Mangel Halto mangroves
- Blackstone Beach rocks
- Boca Keto formations
Conservation Notes
Protect the Environment
- Take trash with you
- Don’t disturb wildlife
- Stay on marked paths
- Use reef-safe sunscreen
- Don’t remove rocks/shells
Support Local Community
- Respect private property
- Follow local guidelines
- Support nearby businesses
- Be courteous to residents
- Share responsibly online
Final Tips
Best Hidden Beaches For:
- Snorkeling: Mangel Halto
- Photography: Boca Prins
- Adventure: Boca Keto
- Easy Access: Blackstone Beach
- Local Experience: Kant’i Bok
- Natural Pools: Dos Playa
Remember that these beaches are “hidden” for a reason – they require more effort to reach but reward visitors with unique experiences and natural beauty. Always prioritize safety and respect for the environment when visiting these special places.