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.
🏖️ Getting to Arashi and beyond
Reserve a car with our local partner Triple D, or see the island with a local ISLA guide. Nothing is charged until we confirm.
Reserve a carPrivate tours
Top-rated snorkel and dive trips
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.
More island landmarks: the California Lighthouse, the Natural Pool, Arikok National Park, and Tres Trapi turtle steps.
Arashi Beach essentials
- Swimming
- Good — deeper entry and a small shorebreak
- Snorkelling
- Good at the rocky north end
- Families
- Fine for confident swimmers; watch small kids in the waves
- Parking
- Free lot
- Facilities
- Palapas, occasional snack truck, limited restrooms
- Crowds
- Locals on weekends, quiet on weekdays
- Wind
- Exposed
- Water
- Clear with small waves
- Best time
- Mornings; sunset with the lighthouse behind you
Arashi is the last sandy beach before the California Lighthouse: a compact crescent with soft sand, small waves and palapas, popular with locals and with visitors who want a change from the resort beaches without a long drive.
Swimming and water conditions
The water gets deep faster than Eagle or Palm and there is often a small shorebreak, which is fun for body-surfing and less ideal for toddlers. Currents are usually mild.
Snorkelling
Head for the rocks at the northern end where the sand gives way to reef; you will find plenty of fish in two to four metres of water. It is a good warm-up before Boca Catalina, five minutes south.
Facilities, shade and parking
Palapas are free and first-come; a snack truck sometimes parks at the lot. Restrooms are basic. Parking is free. The lighthouse and its restaurant are a short drive up the hill for lunch with a view.
Map
Open Arashi Beach in Google Maps →
Hotels near Arashi Beach
Live rates on Expedia. See the full <a href='/where-to-stay-in-aruba/'>where to stay guide</a> for every area.
Check live hotel ratesTours near Arashi Beach
🌴 See the wild side privately: ISLA’s private jeep tours go to the Natural Pool, caves and hidden beaches, with hotel pick-up and no crowds. Private tours from $399 →
