Hadicurari Beach, Noord

Serene scenes with incredible sunsets, a wild breeze, and blues waters. Calm swimming water that you walk out into the soft sand.

Aruba is famous throughout the Caribbean for its glamorous beaches with gleaming white sand and clear jade waters. Thanks to its arid climate, the sea is typically unclouded by runoff and offers great diving and snorkeling, with a scattering of shipwrecks to explore a short distance from shore. Twisted, wind-sculpted fofoti trees fringe the shores, always leaning to the southwest due to the predominant northeast tradewinds, the same winds that lure windsurfers and kiteboarders from around the world. The most touristy beaches rim the western and southern shores of the island and offer favorite spots for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and windsurfing. Venture over to the island's northeastern side to see the ocean's power in full force. Here, rubbly cactus-cloaked landscapes stretch to the wave-thrashed shores. The winds howl, whipping up froth-topped waves, and swimming is not recommended. Almost all beaches are public in Aruba, and many offer palapas (thatched umbrellas) for shade. While strolling along these sun-soaked shores, take care not to disturb any cordoned-off turtle nests. Leatherback turtles are among the species that lay their eggs here, and if you're lucky, you might see them hatch after sunset. Pinpoint the top slices of coast on this sun-soaked island with our list of the best beaches in Aruba.