Things to do in Aruba › Beaches › Baby Beach
Baby Beach
Swimming with small childrenChecked October 21, 2026 shade, parking and the shore from the sources below; distances by road, rounded; wind, sunset and ships from today's readings
Baby Beach curves around a sheltered lagoon beside Seroe Colorado at Aruba's southern tip. It's 24.9 km by road from the cruise terminal. About 30 minutes by car. You walk in from the sand and wade out, still touching the bottom. The water gets deeper toward the opening, where strong currents run out to sea. The huts along the beach are free. Parking is by Big Mama Grill, at the eastern end. Stay inside the lagoon. Keep to the marked snorkeling area.
Today: Airport wind at 2 a.m.: 13 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..
How to get there
- By taxi from the port The base fare from the cruise terminal is $68 per taxi one way for up to 4 passengers. The drive takes about 30 minutes. You pay $3 for each passenger above 4, and $5 more on Sundays, on holidays and from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Arrange your return pickup before getting out.
- By car You follow Route 1 through San Nicolas and continue toward Seroe Colorado. The roads to the beach are paved. You park in the lots by Big Mama Grill.
- By bus From the cruise terminal you cross the road to Oranjestad bus station. Take L1 to San Nicolas. Change there to L900. The first L900 leaves San Nicolas at 10:40 a.m. and the last return from JADS/Rum Reef leaves at 4:55 p.m.
- On a tour You get 3 hours here on Fantasy Tours' Baby Beach Express. Pickup is included from Palm Beach and Eagle Beach, while food and snorkel gear cost extra.
At a glance
Baby Beach at a glance
| From the cruise terminal | 24.9 km (15.5 miles) by road. About 30 minutes by car. |
| From the airport | 21.4 km (13.3 miles) by road. About 27 minutes by car. |
| From the Palm Beach strip | 31.1 km (19.3 miles) by road. About 35 minutes by car. |
| Water | you wade in the shallows and still touch the bottom. It deepens toward the opening. The current gets stronger there. |
| Snorkeling | you enter from the sand. Stay within the marked snorkeling area inside the lagoon. |
| Shade | you can use the thatched huts for free. Arrive early for a hut. |
| Parking | you can park in the lots beside Big Mama Grill on the east side. Keep your car off the beach. |
| Food and drink | you can eat at Big Mama Grill on the east side. It takes cash only. Rum Reef is at the west end, with an adults-only pool. |
| Restrooms | you can use restrooms at Big Mama Grill and Rum Reef/JADS. |
| Bus | L900 from San Nicolas. The first bus leaves at 10:40 a.m. The last return leaves JADS/Rum Reef at 4:55 p.m. |
| Best time | come early for a free hut. Around noon on cruise days it gets crowded. |
From the desk
- I'd pick Baby Beach if you want to wade with small children. Keep them in the shallows. Stay away from the opening. For a short port call I'd choose a closer beach: the drive here takes about 30 minutes.
The beach
What Baby Beach is like
Baby Beach is also called Klein Lagoen, or Little Lagoon. A rock barrier shelters it from the open sea. Lago Colony's refinery families swam here. The old Esso Club still stands at the west end. JADS and Rum Reef are in it.
You wade out and still touch the bottom. Most fish stay near the inlet: parrotfish, angelfish. The water gets deeper there. Strong currents run through the opening. Stay inside the lagoon, within the marked area. Keep your distance from sea turtles. Don't feed them.
The thatched huts along the shore are free. Big Mama Grill serves seafood and Aruban stews. Cash only. You pay $25.50 to rent a full snorkel set for 4 hours at JADS. You leave photo ID plus a $100 cash deposit or a credit card. Restrooms are at Big Mama Grill and Rum Reef/JADS.
Come early if you want a free hut. Around noon on cruise days it gets crowded. If you come in the late afternoon, arrange your return ride first. The last L900 to San Nicolas leaves JADS/Rum Reef at 4:55 p.m.
Tours
Tours that stop at Baby Beach
You get 3 hours here on Fantasy Tours' Baby Beach Express for $55 per adult. Its Full Island Tour stops for 90 minutes at $69 per adult.
Scooter and motorcycle tours 8 tours · from $59 per scooterEZ Raider's Baby Beach and San Nicolas tour costs $165 per adult for 2 to 5 adults. You get 30 minutes at the beach, with pickup and snorkel gear included.
Jeep tours to the Natural Pool 12 tours · from $78 per personFofoti's Signature Jeep Tour gives you 30 minutes at Baby Beach for $78 per adult. You pay the Arikok entry fee separately.
Shore excursions from the cruise port 12 tours · from $39 per personCross Aruba's jeep safari gives you 30 minutes at Baby Beach for $95 per adult. You meet outside gate 5 of the cruise terminal at 8:15 a.m.
Nearby
Beaches near Baby Beach
Mangel Halto Beach
Eagle Beach
Palm Beach
Good to know
People also ask
- Is Baby Beach good for children?
The shallow lagoon suits children who stay inside the sheltered area. You can wade from the sand and still touch the bottom. Keep children in the shallows. The opening is deeper, with stronger currents. Watch them yourself and don't count on a lifeguard.
- Can you snorkel at Baby Beach?
You can snorkel inside the roped area in the lagoon, at the Big Mama Grill end: on your left as you face the sea. Most fish gather near the inlet, including parrotfish and angelfish. If you're not a confident swimmer, keep to the shallows. Stay inside the barrier. Strong currents run through the opening.
- How far is Baby Beach from the cruise port?
Baby Beach is 24.9 km by road from the cruise terminal, about 30 minutes by car. The base taxi fare is $68 per vehicle one way for up to 4 passengers. Arrange your return pickup in advance.
- Can you take a bus to Baby Beach?
From the cruise port, cross the road to the Oranjestad bus station. Take L1 to San Nicolas. Change to L900 there. From the Palm Beach hotels you first take L10 to Oranjestad. Each ride costs $2.60 in cash, so the round trip from Oranjestad is $10.40 per person. A day pass costs $15. The last L900 return leaves JADS/Rum Reef at 4:55 p.m.
- Can you rent chairs and snorkel gear at Baby Beach?
Both, at JADS on the west end. A beach chair costs $15 per chair and must be returned by 4 p.m. A full snorkel set costs $25.50 per set for 4 hours. You leave photo ID plus a $100 cash deposit or a credit card.
- Which tours stop at Baby Beach?
Fantasy Tours' Baby Beach Express costs $55 per adult and gives you 3 hours at the beach. Its Full Island Tour costs $69 per adult and stops here for 90 minutes. Food and snorkel gear cost extra on the Baby Beach Express. Lunch costs extra on the Full Island Tour.