9 Best Snorkelling Beaches in Aruba

Aruba is known for its crystal-clear turquoise waters, vibrant coral reefs, and smooth sandy beaches.

I can verify that it’s true after snorkelling along Aruba’s beautiful coastline.

From Baby Beach to Boca Catalina, there are many beaches to choose from in Aruba.

Let’s get right into the best beaches in Aruba for snorkelling.

.

9 Best Snorkelling Beaches in Aruba

1. Mangel Halto Beach 

Mangel Halto is a hidden gem among Aruba’s snorkelling spots. It’s nestled in a quiet area on the southeastern coast on the way to San Nicolas.

This small beach is a local favourite, featuring dense mangroves and shallow water. It’s more on the unique side of Aruba.

The reef is quite close to the shore, making it an easy swim through the clear waters. Beginners need to stay inside the reef where the waters are calmer.

While the beach itself is undeveloped, the underwater scenery is vibrant with colourful coral and schools of tropical fish. I saw multiple sea urchins while snorkelling at Mangel Halto.

Mangel Halto Beach is easy to reach by car, taxi, or public transportation. And for those who enjoy scuba diving like myself, you can scuba dive off the shore here.

There are no washrooms, but there are cabanas where you can put your belongings while snorkelling. Water shoes are recommended to protect your feet from the rocks in the water.

🤿 Discover Mangel Halto with this guided snorkelling tour

2. Baby Beach

Tucked away in the southern tip of Aruba, Baby Beach is a crescent-shaped lagoon that is a must-visit for snorkelling enthusiasts.

Its shallow waters make it an ideal spot for beginners or for those who simply want a relaxing snorkelling experience. 

It’s a popular spot on many Arikok and Aruba island tours for good reason. The sea is calm and warm, with the water depth only reaching five feet at the most. Most of the water is only waist-deep.

You can see all kinds of tropical fish, including parrotfish, barracuda, and angelfish. The relaxing snorkelling experience it offers qualifies it as one of the best snorkelling beaches in Aruba.

Baby Beach was one of my favourite spots to spend an afternoon on my week in Aruba, snorkelling and sunbathing.

For safety, stay inside the lagoon. Outside, the waters are rougher and unsafe for snorkelling.

For amenities, you’ll find a small snack bar, cabanas for rent, and a resort that is currently under construction.

You can drive, taxi, or take public transportation to reach Baby Beach. There’s a parking lot available for those driving.

🤿 Visit Baby Beach, Arikok National Park and more on this Aruba Island tour

3. Eagle Beach

Located in the heart of the island, Eagle Beach is another gem on the Aruban coastline known for its snorkelling.

The crystal-clear waters offer great visibility, allowing snorkelers to enjoy Aruba’s vibrant marine life.

You can find a variety of tropical fish, coral formations, and possibly even a sea turtle if you’re lucky!

The wide, white sandy beach is perfect for sunbathing and long walks after snorkelling.

It’s accessible by car, taxi, or public transportation, and there’s ample parking available.

On-site amenities include palapa-shaded picnic areas, and convenient beachside bars and restaurants.

You could spend a whole day here there are so many things to do.

Swim at the beach, go snorkelling, enjoy parasailing, dine at one of the restaurants, and watch the sunset.

So, pack your snorkelling gear and prepare for an unforgettable adventure at Eagle Beach, one of Aruba’s top snorkelling beaches!

4. Boca Catalina 

One of the best beaches in Aruba for snorkelling is Boca Catalina, where you can see plenty of colourful fish and coral. 

Boca Catalina is located in the northeast corner of Aruba island, a 10-minute drive from the popular Eagle Beach and Palm Beach areas. You can drive there yourself or go on a boat tour.

The coral reefs at Boca Catalina are fairly shallow and easy to reach, and this is one of the best places on the island to spot sea turtles. 

Morning is the best time to see turtles before the daily boat tours show up and it gets busy.

I visited shortly before sunset and didn’t see any turtles during my snorkel but I did see sea urchins which was pretty cool! When David & Intan visited Boca Catalina early in the day, they saw two sea turtles right away!

Wear water shoes since the entry is rocky in some places, particularly on the northern side of the beach. 

Parking is limited at Boca Catalina, but since it’s still not well known, you can usually find a parking space. 

There are palapas (shelters) on the southern end of the beach, where you can relax in the shade when you are not swimming. Overall, it’s a hidden gem in Aruba!

🤿 Discover Boca Catalina on this guided snorkel tour

5. Tres Trapi 

Tres Trapi is a great snorkelling beach in Aruba. Located 10 minutes north of Palm Beach, it’s slightly off the beaten path and offers a quieter snorkelling experience compared to the more crowded beaches.

The calm turquoise water is crystal clear and the rocky shoreline makes Tres Trapi an excellent place to snorkel and a beautiful place to relax afterwards. 

Although it’s more of a cove than a beach, the main highlight is the chance to see sea turtles as well as a variety of colourful fish and starfish. 

Tres Trapi translates to ‘three steps’ as this was the original amount of steps carved into the rock to enter the water. It’s a popular stop for many of the snorkelling tours on the island.

Locals shared that between 7 am and 8 am is the best time to see sea turtles at Tres Trapi. The turtles are closer to the shore at that time as there are fewer people and the boat tours have not set off yet. 

Jeff’s first visit was after midday and they only saw one turtle, but plenty of fish. Their second visit was around 7:30 am and they saw so many turtles!

If you have your own transport in Aruba, then visiting in the early morning for your best chance to see turtles. There was plenty of space in the tiny car park at the times they visited.

Bring your own snorkel gear or rent one from your hotel.

Remember to bring some snacks and water too as there are no shops or restaurants at Tres Trapi.

🤿 Go off-roading and snorkelling at Tres Trapi at this guided snorkel tour

6. Arashi Beach 

Voted as one of the best snorkelling spots on the island, Arashi Beach is a must-visit when visiting Aruba.

The calm and crystal-clear waters provide great visibility for snorkelling, allowing you to get an up-close view of the colourful coral reefs and local marine life.

It’s easily accessible from the cruise port and various hotels in the area. And there is plenty of parking available.

Arashi Beach is on the northwestern tip of Aruba, close to California Lighthouse and Malmok Beach.

Shannon was amazed by the abundant marine life they encountered while snorkelling at Arashi Beach. Seeing vibrant coral reefs home to colourful tropical fish and multiple sea turtles.

Snorkel at Arashi Beach in the early mornings or late afternoons for calmer waters and improved visibility.

The outside of the shallow reef is where you will see the most electric fish when snorkelling Arashi. The reef runs parallel to the shoreline so you won’t be too far off the shore. 

Once you are finished snorkelling in Aruba at Arashi Beach, there are multiple beach huts, perfect for taking a break from the sun or enjoying a beachfront picnic.

There is even a fun bar situated nearby where you can grab cold drinks and refreshments afterward.

🤿 Take snorkelling Arashi Beach to the next level on this guided seabob tour

7. Palm Beach 

Palm Beach is one of the best snorkelling beaches in Aruba. The water is clear and shallow, making it great for beginners. The currents are not strong, so it is also family-friendly. 

If you go to the south end of the beach, near Signature Park, you can spot the famous Sergeant Major fish.

Most snorkelling boat trips in Aruba also take off from Palm Beach, so it is a great starting point for any adventure. 

Palm Beach is one of the busiest beaches in Aruba, with many nice hotels right there.

It is fairly close to Oranjestad, so you can just go there with your rental car, ATV or the bus.

Most parts of the beach belong to resorts, but you can find some good spots in between if you want to bring your own beach chair.

You can expect to see many tropical fish, including Blue Angelfish. They are super rare, but Sabrina did see one or two on their trip to Aruba. 

For extra adventure, go parasailing at Palm Beach!

8. Flamingo Beach 

Located on a private island, Flamingo Beach Aruba is a great beach for easy snorkelling.

It’s a 10-minute boat ride away from Oranjestad and has plenty of amenities like beach chairs, cabanas, umbrellas, and a bar.

It’s a great place for snorkelling if you don’t want to take a tour or you prefer to enjoy a beach day with bits of snorkelling whenever you feel like it!

The water around the island is super calm and clear, and you can see plenty of colourful fish all over thanks to the fact that there’s an artificial barrier and lots of them find shelter here from predators.

Dani saw lots of Caribbean fish, including yellowtail snapper, schoolmaster snapper, and orange-spotted tilefish.

Aside from the snorkelling, what makes Flamingo Beach special is the fact that there are flamingos roaming about!

Whenever you’re not under the water catching glimpses of fish, you’ll be able to sip cocktails surrounded by pink flamingos, so what’s not to like?

Keep in mind that Flamingo Beach is part of a private island owned by the Renaissance Wind Creek Hotel.

Hotel guests are guaranteed entry. And unlimited boat trips to and from the island are included in your stay. 

Non-guests can buy a day pass starting at $125 USD. Day passes can only be purchased the day before your visit and only when there is low hotel occupancy.

9. Malmok Beach 

You can’t miss snorkelling at Malmok Beach in Aruba. This beautiful beach is an ideal destination for exploring the underwater wonders of the Caribbean.

Malmok Beach is known for its crystal-clear waters and rich marine life. You can see colourful corals and swim together with tropical fish, rays, and sea turtles. Visibility is great, making the snorkelling experience unforgettable.

Malmok Beach also offers panoramic views of the island’s rocky coast.

Low tides create natural pools ideal for swimming and snorkelling. This makes the atmosphere quiet and relaxing, perfect for spending a day on the beach.

Malmok Beach is located on the northwestern coast of Aruba, a short distance from the main city, Oranjestad. The airport is 11 km away, so it’s easy to get to.

Enzo was lucky enough to visit Malmok Beach and can confirm that it is a snorkeller’s paradise. They swam alongside colourful fish and had the opportunity to spot a sea turtle. 

The feeling of peace and serenity you feel when immersed in these waters is priceless. If you are looking for Aruba snorkelling from shore, this is it.

Parking is limited so plan to arrive early. You can bring your own gear or rent them at one of the beach kiosks.

🤿 Discover Malmok Beach with this private snorkelling tour

Aruba Beaches for Snorkelling FAQs

But, while the snorkelling in Aruba is good, it’s not as good when compared to Antigua, Saint Lucia, Bonaire and Curacao.

Final Thoughts on the Best Beaches in Aruba for Snorkelling

Some of the best snorkelling spots in Aruba are right off the shore.

With its beautiful coral reefs, lively marine life, and clear waters, the top three beaches to snorkel in Aruba are Mangel Halto Alto, Boca Catalina, and Tres Trapi.

Whether you are a seasoned snorkeller or a beginner, these Aruba snorkelling beaches offer an unforgettable underwater adventure.

When you are done at the beach and want something different, visit Arikok National Park.