Last updated: August 26, 2026
Arashi Beach Aruba hides in plain sight at the island’s northwest tip, just below the California Lighthouse. Locals love it for one simple reason: it delivers calm swimming and easy shore snorkeling without the strip crowds. Here is everything to know.
Why Arashi earns the drive
A local tip: this is a genuinely good beach to bring the kids — gentle water, soft sand, and space to run. The sand is soft, the water stays gentle, and thatched palapas offer free shade if you arrive early. Moreover, the snorkeling starts right off the beach — fish gather along the rocks on the northern end. Sunsets here, framed by the lighthouse hill, quietly beat the famous ones.
Practical notes
- Free parking lot right behind the sand; it fills by late morning in high season.
- No restaurants on the beach — a food truck sometimes appears, so bring water regardless.
- Rent snorkel gear in town first, because there are no vendors here.
- Pair it with Boca Catalina next door for a full snorkel morning.
Getting there and around
It is a ten-minute drive north of Palm Beach — easy in any rental car. Many catamaran cruises also anchor off this coast, so you may snorkel Arashi’s reef from the water side. Where does it rank overall? See our full beach rankings.
