Best Beaches In Aruba Near Cruise Port: Easy-To Reach Spots

Aruba enjoys more sunny days than any other Caribbean destination, which is one of the many reasons it’s such a popular stop for cruise ships. With over 1.2 million visitors yearly, the island’s stunning beaches continue to draw the biggest crowds. Stretching for miles, Aruba’s white powdery sands meet the crystal-clear turquoise waters of the Caribbean, offering a picture-perfect escape. For cruise shippers looking to make the most of their limited time on the island, we’ve put together a list of the best beaches in Aruba near the cruise port that are worth checking out!

If you are in a hurry, here is a short summary of the recommended beaches:

Surfside Beach: Located just 2 miles from the cruise port, Surfside Beach offers calm waters, water sports, and a relaxed atmosphere with restaurants, bars, and a fun floating water park for kids.
Renaissance Island Flamingo Beach: A private beach that can be accessed by a day pass for cruise ship passengers, featuring beautiful flamingos, pristine waters, and a tranquil, secluded atmosphere just a short boat ride from the resort.
Manchebo Beach: A peaceful, family-friendly beach perfect for relaxation, located a 10-minute drive from the cruise port, known for its tranquil atmosphere, and beautiful sunsets.
Eagle Beach: Ranked as one of the best beaches in the world, Eagle Beach is famous for its powdery white sands, crystal-clear waters, and activities like snorkeling and jet skiing, located a short drive from the port.
Druif Beach: A peaceful, mile-long beach with calm waters, ideal for swimming, and offering nearby resorts, bars, and beach volleyball courts, easily accessible from Oranjestad.
Divi Beach: Just a short walk from Druif Beach, Divi Beach offers calm waters for swimming, beach volleyball, and a welcoming environment with resorts providing beach bars, restaurants, and lounge areas.

To learn more on each spot, keep reading the article!

Attention: you might easily fall in love with the island’s fabulous beaches and return for a longer stay; in this case, make sure to read and save our Aruba vacation guide!

Surfside Beach

The narrow and lengthy stretch of sand at Surfside Beach is surely one of the best beaches in Aruba near the cruise port. This beach is in Oranjestad, Aruba’s capital city, about 2 miles (3.2 km) from the Cruise Terminal, making it easily accessible for visitors who want to spend time at the beach while in port.

Surfside Beach is perfect for get-togethers and picnics beneath the palm trees along the calm seas. You do watersports here, such as canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding. Snorkeling is also possible here. However, it is not the best on the island, but you can see some fish and coral if you bring your gear with you.

The beach boasts a range of restaurants and bars. Some of the best-known of these are Reflexions Beach Club, Barefoot, Pincho’s and Surfside Beach Bar. Facilities here include lounge chairs, beach tanning beds, and more for rent out of the Reflexions concession. For children, there is an excellent floating water park. And the best is that this beach is near enough to the island’s airport, so you can even enjoy airplane spotting from the sands! To sum it up, Surfside Beach is a great spot for those looking to enjoy the sun, sand, and sea without venturing too far from the cruise terminal.

Renaissance Island Flamingo Beach

Visiting Renaissance Island to see the flamingos is a must even if you have just one day in Aruba. This tropical oasis is not only a breathtaking wedding venue and one of the Caribbean’s most romantic honeymoon destinations but makes a nice day trip for cruisers looking for a more secluded beach experience.

Still, not many cruises come here, for a simple reason. This private island and its beach belong to the Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort. Do not fret, though; not only in-house guests can access this famous beach. You can purchase a one-day pass to enjoy it as a cruise ship passenger! However, these passes are limited and often sell out quickly, so you need to get them in advance. I advise you to check the resort’s official website or contact them directly for the most current information.

If you have your pass, it is pretty easy to get to the island. From the cruise port, the Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort is within walking distance, approximately 0.5 miles (0.8 km) away. Once at the resort, non-hotel guests can access the island via a water taxi that departs from the resort’s dock. The boat ride to the island takes about 10 minutes.

Manchebo Beach

Manchebo Beach is a quiet, family-friendly beach along the southwestern part of Aruba. You should definitely come to this spot if you are coming to Aruba with small kids; renowned for its tranquil atmosphere and powdery white sand, this is an ideal spot for a relaxing family day. The beach is adjacent to the Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa, a boutique resort offering a range of amenities, and while the beach is primarily associated with the resort, non-hotel guests can also visit the public areas, such as the restaurants and bars. This provides an opportunity to experience this top beach without staying at the resort.

To reach Manchebo Beach from the Aruba Cruise Port, it’s approximately a 10-minute drive. Taxis are readily available at the port, and the resort’s concierge can assist with transportation arrangements. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful retreat or a place to unwind, this offers a picturesque setting to enjoy Aruba’s natural beauty. If you have time to take in the sunset here, they are without equal, possibly in the whole of the Caribbean Sea!

Eagle Beach

Eagle Beach is often hailed as one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, and for good reason. With its powdery white sands, crystal-clear turquoise waters, it’s a picture-perfect paradise that you can’t miss out on visiting, even if you spend only a few hours on the island. This beach ranks continuously high among the world’s best beaches. Lately, it has made it into the Top 3, according to TripAdvisor.

Whether you’re soaking up the sun, enjoying a variety of water activities like snorkeling and jet skiing, simply walking along the beach or relax under the iconic Fofoti trees that dot the shoreline, the experience is sure to leave you in awe. Conveniently located just a short drive from the cruise port, Eagle Beach is easy to reach, with many local taxis offering direct transportation to this island gem. You can also get here by using public transport as most Arubus stop here. If you’re looking for a top-rated beach to explore during your Aruba cruise stop, this is the place to be!

Druif Beach

Another glorious mile-long stretch of sandy beach near the ship terminal is called Druif Beach. Located just south of Oranjestad, Aruba, is a peaceful spot with soft white sand and calm waters, perfect for swimming or taking a stroll. It’s about 300 meters long and offers a relaxing vibe, away from the busier beaches on the island.

Several resorts, like the Divi & Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive Resorts, line the beach, offering bars, restaurants, and comfy lounge areas. Visitors can also enjoy beach volleyball or spot pelicans resting on poles in the water. Swimming conditions here are rated excellent for the calm surf conditions. Located close to Oranjestad, it’s easy to get to Druif Beach by car, taxi, or bus, making it an ideal place for both relaxation and exploring nearby shops and attractions.

SeaSpiration Tip: Read what are the best hotels for couples in Aruba!

Divi Beach

A list of the best beaches in Aruba near the cruise port would not be complete without mentioning Divi Beach. You only need to walk down the shoreline for a few hundred meters to reach it on foot from Druif Beach. The beach runs as far as Divi & Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive Resorts to the south. These resorts provide amenities such as beach bars, restaurants, and comfortable lounge areas, enhancing the overall beach experience.

Divi Beach is known for its calm waters, making it ideal for swimming and leisurely walks along the shoreline. It is also known for its beach volleyball courts, where visitors can engage in friendly matches. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful retreat or a place to engage in beach activities, Divi Beach provides a welcoming environment for all visitors.

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