Things to do in Aruba › Beaches › Arashi Beach
Arashi Beach
Shore snorkeling below the California LighthouseChecked October 21, 2026 shade, parking and the shore from the sources below; distances by road, rounded; wind, sunset and ships from today's readings
Arashi Beach is the last beach before the California Lighthouse, and you can snorkel from its sand. It's 12 km by road from the cruise terminal and 5 km from the strip: 7.5 and 3 miles. The reef starts on the left side, close enough that you swim to it with a mask. You get free shade huts, a free lot and a beach bar. Snorkel gear is for rent, and so are loungers with umbrellas. RockaBeach's beach bus stops here for 40 minutes. Come early for the shade and the fish. It's the beach I'd pick for myself, and the one I'd pick for you.
Today: Airport wind at 1 a.m.: 10 mph from the east. Meteo Aruba has sheltered water at about 1 ft today. 2 ships in port today. Come early if you want a palapa. Sunset is at 6:17 p.m., and the sand faces straight at it.
How to get there
- By taxi from the port About 15 minutes at the fixed island rate. From the strip it's 7. Ask your driver to come back for you at a set time; there's no rank at the beach.
- By bus Arubus line 10A ends at Arashi. It's $2.60 a ride from the Oranjestad terminal. On weekdays it leaves Oranjestad from 6:15 a.m., and most departures are 20 minutes apart. On weekends it's hourly. The last bus back from Arashi leaves at 6:20 p.m. on weekdays and 6:28 p.m. on weekends.
- By car A free lot right at the sand, and it's big. Come early on a Sunday. Your road from the strip is 5 km along the coast, past Malmok and Boca Catalina.
At a glance
Arashi Beach at a glance
| From the cruise terminal | 12 km (7.5 miles) by road; about 15 minutes by taxi |
| From the Palm Beach strip | 5 km (3 miles) north; about 7 minutes by taxi |
| Water | usually calm on the sand; on the right side, toward the point, you get waves and a current |
| Entry | sand, then rocks at the left end; reef shoes help you there |
| Snorkeling | yes, from the sand. You swim left, facing the sea: 1 to 5 ft of water over rock and coral, parrotfish and angelfish. The right side is for strong swimmers only |
| Shade | free shade huts, first come. Come early for one |
| Parking | a free lot next to the sand, plenty of it |
| On the shore | a beach bar, restrooms and rentals of snorkel gear, loungers and umbrellas |
| Ship days | the beach bus tour from the port stops here for 40 minutes. Come early if you want the beach quieter |
From the desk
- Arashi at 8 a.m. with a mask is the best hour you'll buy on the island for $2.60 on the bus. I'd be gone by the time the beach bus tour pulls in on a ship day.
The beach
What Arashi Beach is like
Arashi is where the strip runs out. Past the last hotel the road goes through Malmok, past Boca Catalina, and ends at a sandy bay under the lighthouse. You get a lot next to the sand, a line of free shade huts and a beach bar with chairs to rent. That's the whole beach. It's the one the island's families use on Sundays.
The reason you come is the reef. Face the sea and swim left, toward the rocks. The water is 1 to 5 ft deep over coral heads. You'll see parrotfish and angelfish and the odd sergeant major. The catamarans anchor a little further out for the same fish. The right side toward the point is another beach: waves, surge and a current that pulls you toward open water. Leave it to strong swimmers on a calm day.
Shade is the only race you'll run. The huts are free and first come, so come early or rent an umbrella. The lighthouse is a 15-minute walk up the hill. The restaurant next to it does sunset with a view back over the bay. The sand faces due west, so the sunset comes to you anyway.
Tours
Tours that start at Arashi Beach, or pick you up here
RockaBeach's open beach bus does the north coast and the lighthouse, then gives you 40 minutes on the sand here. It starts at 10 a.m. with port pickup and runs 3 to 5 hours.
Snorkeling tours 12 tours · from $55 per personThe catamarans from Palm Beach anchor off Boca Catalina and the Antilla wreck, 1 to 2 km south of here. Same reef from the boat side, with the bar open for you.
Boca Catalina and Malmok
Palm Beach
Eagle Beach
Good to know
People also ask
- Is Arashi Beach good for snorkeling?
Yes, the best you'll get from the sand on the west coast. Swim left, facing the sea, over 1 to 5 ft of water with coral heads and parrotfish. The right side toward the point has waves and a current; leave it unless you're a strong swimmer. Bring your own mask or rent one at the beach.
- Is there parking at Arashi Beach?
Yes, a free lot right next to the sand, and a big one. Sundays are the islanders' beach day, so come early then.
- How do I get to Arashi Beach from Palm Beach?
It's 5 km north along the coast road, about 7 minutes by taxi. Arubus line 10A runs up the strip to Arashi for $2.60, with most weekday buses 20 minutes apart. On foot it's an hour in the sun past Malmok, and not worth it after 10.
- Does Arashi Beach have facilities?
A beach bar, restrooms, free shade huts and a parking lot. You can rent snorkel gear there. Lounge chairs and umbrellas are for rent too.
- Is Arashi Beach safe to swim?
The left side is usually calm and shallow. The right side toward the point has surge and a current pulling out. Check the surf before you go in. Stay out when the waves make the entry hard.
- What tours go to Arashi Beach?
The open beach bus from the cruise port stops here for 40 minutes on its north-coast loop, with pickup at the terminal. The snorkel catamarans anchor off Boca Catalina next door rather than on this sand.