Eagle Beach, Oranjestad | Top 150 Bikini Destinations
ORANJESTAD, DUTCH CARIBBEAN / ARUBA
White sand and trade winds
Eagle Beach.
Start in Oranjestad, then spend a day on Aruba’s wide west-coast shore, where wind-shaped fofoti trees stand above the sand.
Plan your beach day ↘TOP 150 BIKINI DESTINATIONS / ARUBA’S WEST COAST
A wide shore
outside Oranjestad.
Bring a towel and go early for a spot in public shade. The shore stays open and bright toward midday, so build in time for a drink or lunch off the sand.
Keep clear of flagged turtle nests, then take a separate trip into town for the fort and a plate of pastechis. The northwest lighthouse and Arikok’s inland hills make separate outings.
ON THE WORLD MAP
On Aruba’s Caribbean coast.
Eagle Beach, Oranjestad, Aruba, Dutch Caribbean
01 / GETTING THERE
Start in Oranjestad.
Queen Beatrix International Airport
The airport sits southeast of central Oranjestad. Book a taxi or take the bus into town.
Photo: NoTalkMan · CC0Get around Eagle Beach
Use a designated access point off J.E. Irausquin Boulevard. The tourism authority lists parking, and marked paths connect the road with the sand.
On the beach
For an airport or city taxi, look up the correct drop-off zone and any baggage or late-hours charges before you leave. Beach status ↗
02 / BEACH ESSENTIALS
Know before you go.
Eagle Beach is a wide public stretch of pale sand. It has public shade in places and services along the road behind it.
01 / HOW TO GET THERE
Public access and parking
Access to the public beach is free. Follow the marked beach access paths and use designated parking. Resort loungers and some other services are arranged separately.
Aruba Tourism Authority Eagle Beach information ↗02 / BEACH ACCESS
Paved approach, then sand
Reach the shoreline from the paved path and expect loose sand on the last stretch. Ask your transport provider about the easiest drop-off if you need a shorter walk.
03 / THE SAND
White sand and open water
The west-facing shore is broad, with occasional rocky edges. Check wind, swell, and any notices before swimming and stay out of launch areas.
04 / FOOD & WATER
Bring water and plan lunch
Bring drinking water and a snack. For a meal, cross or follow the boulevard to a restaurant. Check its hours before you leave the beach.
05 / CHAIRS & UMBRELLAS
Public palapas and resort seating
Arrive early for shade under a public palapa. Ask before using a resort lounger. Keep straps and belongings off the fofoti trees and use shade without blocking access paths.
06 / RESTROOMS & SHOWERS
Restrooms and lifeguards
Use a confirmed restroom at your lodging or a nearby food stop. Check posted warnings and whether a lifeguard is on duty before going into the water.
03 / THE BEACH
A day at Eagle Beach.
White sand at Eagle Beach
The broad shoreline opens directly onto the Caribbean. The wind and water conditions can change through the day.
Photo: Edprada · CC BY-SA 4.001 / EARLY
Start by the fofoti trees
Take a photo from the path before setting up on the sand. Stay clear of the trees’ roots and leave their branches free of bags, towels, and hammocks.
02 / AT THE WATER
Look at the sea before you get in
Check for any warnings, swell, and boat traffic. Choose a shore walk when conditions are rough and keep children within reach near the water.
03 / MIDDAY
Break for water and shade
Use a public palapa if one is free or leave the sand for lunch. Put loose items in a bag because the breeze can lift them quickly.
04 / LATE DAY
Stay for the west-facing sunset
Watch from a clear section of dry sand. Use marked paths when you leave and avoid shining lights near any fenced turtle nest.
Turtle nests are protected. Leave the barricades in place, keep your distance, and call the local turtle team if you see hatchlings in trouble.
04 / NEARBY BEACHES
Four more beaches nearby.
Distances are approximate straight-line distances from Eagle Beach. Use marked access and check the sea at each stop.
Manchebo Beach
A wide stretch of sand around the next point, beside low-rise hotels.
- Best for
- A shore walk and an open horizon
- Facilities
- Resort facilities are for guests or customers
- Good to know
- Check shore break and currents before entering.
Druif Beach
A long, narrower stretch between the low-rise resorts and Oranjestad.
- Best for
- A quiet stretch of sand for a walk
- Facilities
- Resort dining nearby. Check access to chairs and toilets.
- Good to know
- Avoid surf when the shore break is strong.
Palm Beach
A busy high-rise stretch with piers, rental stands, and restaurants.
- Best for
- An outing for watersports or lunch near the piers
- Facilities
- Food, shade rentals, and water-sports operators
- Good to know
- Keep clear of the boat and water-sports lanes.
Arashi Beach
A northwestern beach near the lighthouse with patches of rock and pockets of sand.
- Best for
- A shore visit in calm weather
- Facilities
- Public palapas and parking. Bring your own water.
- Good to know
- The exposed tip can get rough. Check conditions before snorkeling.
Distances are straight-line from Eagle Beach. Facilities change by season, so check on the day.
05 / MUST-SEE PLACES
Three ways to see Aruba.
01 / ORANJESTAD
Walk to Fort Zoutman
Look for the red-and-white Willem III Tower near the harbor. Check museum hours before going and leave time to walk the nearby streets.
Fort Zoutman visitor information ↗02 / NORTHWEST ARUBA
See the California Lighthouse
Drive to the hill at Hudishibana for the view back down the island. Confirm climbing hours if you plan to go inside.
California Lighthouse visitor information ↗03 / SANTA CRUZ
Explore Arikok’s inland hills
Get a conservation pass and start at the visitor center. Ask which trails and caves are open. Bring water and give yourself time to return before the park closes.
Aruba Conservation Foundation visitor information ↗EXPLORE THE AREA
Eagle Beach and Oranjestad.
The pin is on the central stretch near J.E. Irausquin Boulevard. Zoom out to see the airport and Oranjestad’s harbor.
Open the interactive map ↗BEYOND THE BEACH
From the harbor to the dry hills.
Save a separate half day for the park. For a shorter outing, walk Oranjestad’s fort and harbor or drive to the lighthouse.
Fort Zoutman
The Willem III Tower marks the historic fort in downtown Oranjestad.
Photo: MikeWard88 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Arikok National Park
The park’s inland hills offer a contrast to the sheltered west coast. Check routes and access before leaving town.
Photo: EgorovaSvetlana · CC BY-SA 4.0
California Lighthouse
The stone lighthouse stands above Aruba’s northwest coast.
Photo: Navigator334 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Downtown Oranjestad
Leave time to walk the downtown blocks around the harbor and the historic fort.
Photo: David Stanley · CC BY 2.006 / SIX HOTELS
Find your base.
MADIKI, ORANJESTAD
A1 Apartments
$ Budget · $
A small family-run property in Madiki with private apartments and a pool. It suits travellers who plan to cook some meals and take a ride to the beach. The property advertises studios from US$95 a night.
A1 Apartments official site ↗BUBALI, NOORD
Bubali Bliss Studios & Villas
$ Budget · $
Book a studio or apartment in residential Bubali if you want a kitchen and a grocery store within walking distance. There is a pool in the garden. Sample direct studio rates were US$160–204 a night before taxes and fees.
Bubali Bliss Studios & Villas official site ↗CENTRAL EAGLE BEACH
MVC Eagle Beach
$$ Mid-Range · $$
This small hotel is across the boulevard from the beach. It lists double and quadruple rooms, which makes it practical for a couple or a family. A sampled direct member rate was US$201 a night before taxes and fees.
MVC Eagle Beach official site ↗NORTH EAGLE BEACH
Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort
$$ Mid-Range · $$
Choose a studio or suite near the north end of the shore if you want to walk to dinner at the resort or back to the sand. Its direct breakfast package advertises rates from US$300, subject to room and date.
Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort official site ↗PUNTA BRABO
Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa
$$$ Upscale · $$$
This low-rise property has garden-view rooms, oceanfront options, and a spa. Check the room view and access route when you reserve. The resort’s published getaway package starts at US$525. Confirm what it includes and the minimum stay.
Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa official site ↗SOUTH EAGLE BEACH
JOIA Aruba by Iberostar
$$$$ Luxury · $$$$
This all-suite resort stands near the southern end of Eagle Beach. Compare ocean-view and pool-view suites and check which features are included in the rate. The operator showed one sample room price from about US$580 for two guests per night.
JOIA Aruba by Iberostar official site ↗
WHEN TO GO
Choose the day you want.
Aruba is warm throughout the year. Book earlier for the winter high season and check whether your quoted rate includes room tax, service charges, and resort fees. Climate normals ↗
07 / FOOD, LANGUAGE & LOCAL LIFE
From sand to table.
Evening on Wilhelminastraat
Historic buildings on and around Wilhelminastraat now house restaurants and other businesses.
Photo: Ginelly.Q · CC BY 4.0What to order
Start with a pastechi, a fried turnover with a savory filling. At lunch, look for local fish and funchi, a cornmeal side you may find fried or served soft.
Local habits
Ask whether the menu prices are in florins or US dollars. Check hours before leaving the beach, especially for breakfast-only kitchens.
A LITTLE PAPIAMENTO
Useful on the beach and in town.
- Bon dia
- Good morning
- Danki
- Thank you
- Por fabor
- Please
- Bon bini
- Welcome
SIX RESTAURANTS
Where to eat.
CAYA G. F. BETICO CROES
The Pastechi House
$ Budget · $
Stop for pastechis and other Aruban snacks in downtown Oranjestad. The restaurant’s delivery menu lists an Aruban Breakfast box with two pastechis, two croquettes, a drink, and a smoothie for Afl. 24. Check counter hours before your visit.
The Pastechi House official site ↗PLAYA LINDA, NOORD
Dushi Bagels & Burgers
$ Budget · $
Go for breakfast at the Playa Linda complex before the beach. Its menu lists a US$9 egg-and-Gouda bagel or a US$10.50 Farmer bagel with sausage and bacon. There are vegetarian options and separate pancake and omelette sections.
Dushi Bagels & Burgers official site ↗HADICURARI, NOORD
Nos Clubhuis
$$ Mid-Range · $$
Stop at the fishing centre for an open-air lunch near where local boats come in. The menu lists seafood pasta with fish, grouper, calamari, and shrimp at US$29. Ask about the catch of the day and its price before ordering.
Nos Clubhuis official site ↗ARUBA BEACH CLUB
Kokoa Restaurant & Bar
$$ Mid-Range · $$
Book dinner near the Aruba Beach Club and look for Aruban sides with the fish. Kokoa’s menu lists pan-fried grouper with creole sauce at US$38, and snapper with crispy funchi at US$40. Vegetarian starters and other mains are available.
Kokoa Restaurant & Bar official site ↗WESTSTRAAT, ORANJESTAD
Lima Bistro
$$$ Upscale · $$$
Try the market ceviche with crisp calamari and sweet potato for US$21, then choose a hot main such as the US$38 lomo saltado. This Peruvian bistro is near the harbor at Harbour House. Reserve if you want a weekend dinner.
Lima Bistro official site ↗NORTH EAGLE BEACH
Passions on the Beach
$$$$ Luxury · $$$$
Reserve a table on the sand for sunset or later in the evening. The dinner menu lists coconut grouper at US$45.50 and Caribbean lobster at US$74. The restaurant accepts major debit and credit cards, so bring a card for the bill.
Passions on the Beach official site ↗08 / EAGLE BEACH AND ORANJESTAD AFTER DARK AFTER DARK
Three bars.
Horizons Lounge
Head upstairs at Amsterdam Manor for a view across the boulevard toward Eagle Beach. The lounge serves food and drinks. Check the hotel’s dining schedule for live music and confirm kitchen hours before heading up. Horizons Lounge menu and hours ↗
Pega Pega Beach Bar & Grill
This resort terrace is a place to stop for a snack or a drink before dinner. The property posts a separate bar menu and live music information. Check service hours and ask about access for day visitors. Pega Pega menu and hours ↗
Café the Plaza
Take a table at Renaissance Marketplace for something to eat and a drink after an evening walk through the harbor district. The café lists its food menus and sometimes hosts live music. Check the evening schedule online. Café the Plaza menus ↗
Arrange your ride before the end of the night. Keep lights away from marked nests and leave the sand through a designated access path.
09 / ORANJESTAD AND ARUBA EVENT CALENDAR & MONEY
Plan around the celebrations.
Aruba Carnival
The main parades and music events usually take place in the first part of the year. Check the schedule before booking and allow for road closures near Oranjestad’s Grand Parade route.
Aruba Tourism Authority Carnival information official site ↗Bon Bini Festival
This recurring evening celebration takes place during much of the year in the Fort Zoutman courtyard. Check ahead for traditional music and dancing and for any seasonal pause.
Fort Zoutman festival information ↗Currency / Aruban florin
The Aruban florin is the local currency. Many visitor businesses take US dollars. Ask which currency the menu uses and carry small bills for casual purchases.
Central Bank of Aruba currency information ↗10 / WHAT TO WEAR
Pack for white sand and steady wind.
THE EAGLE BEACH KIT
Swim.
Walk.
Stay out.
On the sand
Wear the Eagle Beach Mariner bikini with a cotton cover-up, sunglasses, and a hat that stays on in a breeze.
For the beach path
Bring a full water bottle, a towel, and sandals. Pack a bag to hold loose gear and protect your phone from blowing sand.
In town
Keep belongings off the fofoti trees and take everything with you when you leave.
11 / BEFORE YOU LEAVE
Good to know.
Is Eagle Beach public?
Yes. The beach is public. Ask before using a resort lounger or hotel facilities.
Can I find shade?
Some public palapas are available. Arrive early or bring a hat and plan a shaded lunch off the sand.
Can I get there without a car?
Yes. Take a taxi or check Arubus routes from Oranjestad. Confirm the stop and the last return bus.
Are there lifeguards?
Ask about coverage when you arrive. Check warning signs and the water conditions before swimming.
What if I see a turtle or a marked nest?
Give turtles and nests space and avoid using lights near them. Use the local turtle hotline listed by the Aruba government if a turtle or hatchlings need help.
FOG & FOUNDRY / SWIM
Navy and sunflowers. Worn at Eagle Beach.
A navy string bikini with small sunflower accents and adjustable ties. The existing product photos show the set on the sand, in the shallows, and by a beach palapa.
Explore the Eagle Beach Mariner bikini ↗
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