In this article
Why Eagle Beach is so famous
Eagle Beach appears on virtually every list of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and anyone who has stood there understands why. The stretch of sand is exceptionally wide, the sand is fine and white, and the water gradually deepens, allowing you to walk a great distance before it gets deep.
What distinguishes the beach from many other places on the island, in addition to this, is its tranquility. Behind Eagle Beach, there are no towering hotels, but instead lower buildings and open terrain, which makes the beach feel spacious and keeps the view unobstructed.
The combination of space, color, and tranquility makes the beach suitable for a whole day, but just as easily for a few hours between other plans. It's centrally located enough to drop by without any effort.
Eagle Beach in brief
| Topic | What to expect | Read more |
|---|---|---|
| Location | West coast, between Oranjestad and Palm Beach | Most beautiful beaches |
| Vibe | Spacious, quiet, and open, with low-rise buildings behind it | Compare with Palm Beach |
| Swimming | Calm water that gradually gets deeper | With kids |
| Snorkeling | Sandy soil, so limited; better spots are further north | Snorkel spots |
| Good to know | The wind-shaped trees in the sand | What to do in Aruba |
| Note | During the breeding season, areas may be cordoned off for turtle nests. | Nature on Aruba |
Swipe the table sideways to see all columns.
Where exactly is Eagle Beach located?
Eagle Beach is located on the west coast of Aruba, between Oranjestad and Palm Beach. It is the beach of what is called the low-rise on the island, the area with lower hotels and resorts, as opposed to the high-rise with the tall towers a little further north.
It takes about a quarter of an hour to drive there from the capital, and just a few minutes from the hotels at Palm Beach. You can also get there without a car, since the public bus runs along the coastal road between Oranjestad and the hotel district.
Because the beach is centrally located, many visitors combine a trip there with a visit to the city or an afternoon of shopping. To find out how to conveniently combine these activities, read our article about Oranjestad in one day.
What does the beach look like?
The most striking thing about Eagle Beach is its width. Between the road and the waterline is a wide strip of soft white sand, making it easy to find a spot where no one is lying right next to you, even on a busy day.
Parts of the beach have palapas, the thatched umbrellas that provide shade. They’re popular and often the first to be taken in the morning, so if you want to be sure of a seat, come in time or bring your own umbrella.
Furthermore, the beach is quite bare, and that's precisely its charm. There's little development, little noise, and lots of open space, which makes the beach feel a lot calmer than the busy stretch further down.
Is the water suitable for swimming?
Yes, and that's one of the reasons the beach is so popular with families. The water is clear and gradually gets deeper, so you can walk quite a way before you're out of your depth. Big waves are rare on this sheltered side of the island.
The wind blows almost constantly in Aruba, which makes it easy to underestimate the sun. Those who go in and out of the water for a few hours would do well to reapply sunscreen more often than usual at home.
Keep an eye on the flags and signs, as conditions vary daily. Even on the calmer side of the island, there can occasionally be currents.
Can you snorkel at Eagle Beach?
Snorkeling is possible, but it's not what you come here for. The bottom is mostly sand, so you'll see fewer fish and coral than in the rocky spots further north.
Those who want to snorkel from the shore are better off at Boca Catalina, Malmok, or Tres Trapi, where the water is clear and there's something to see right from the shore. These spots are a short drive from Eagle Beach.
A complete overview of the best places to go into the water in Aruba is in our article about the best snorkeling spots in Aruba.
The Famous Trees on the Sand
On Eagle Beach stand two crooked trees that can be seen in almost every photo of Aruba. They are fofoti trees, often called divi-divi trees by many visitors, and they have grown in one direction due to the constant trade winds.
They are located in the middle of the sand and are therefore one of the most photographed spots on the island. Early in the morning and at sunset, it is quietest there, and that's also when the light is most beautiful.
Stay away from the roots and don't climb them, as the trees are vulnerable and grow slowly in this climate. There are signs indicating this.
Turtles on the beach
Aruba is one of the places where sea turtles nest, and Eagle Beach is among them. During nesting season, you may encounter marked-off sections on the sand with ribbons and stakes, which means there is a nest there.
Stay outside those barriers, even if you don’t see anything there. Don’t dig in the sand, don’t put your umbrella inside a fenced-off area and use as little bright light as possible on the beach at night, because it confuses the young animals.
You can never predict whether you will spot a turtle yourself, because they are wild animals that do not stick to a schedule. If you want to improve your chances of an encounter in the water, read our guide on snorkeling in Aruba to see where the odds are best.
What should you bring to Eagle Beach?
Shade is the main thing to watch, because there are only a few palapas and hardly any trees on the sand. A beach umbrella or beach tent makes the difference between staying a few hours and a whole day.
In addition, bring enough water, because you notice less quickly that you are losing fluid in the wind. A cap, sunglasses, and waterproof sunscreen are not a luxury on Aruba but standard equipment.
We list what else belongs in your suitcase for a week on the island in our article on what to bring to Aruba.
Where do you park at Eagle Beach?
Along the coastal road, parking spaces can be found, spread out along the length of the beach. During peak season and around noon, it can be full, meaning you might have to walk a bit further than you anticipated.
If you're arriving in a rental car, don't leave anything visible inside the car. This is a good habit to follow at every beach on the island, even in places that seem quiet.
If you are still unsure whether to rent a car or go on excursions, our comparison of rental car or excursions in Aruba will help you decide.
Food and Drink in the Area
Across from the coastal road are several hotels and restaurants, so you don't have to go far for lunch or a drink. Some beach bars are right on the sand, while others are set back a bit.
The selection on the beach itself is limited, so if you plan to stay all day, bring your own food and especially enough water. A cooler is not a luxury if you come with more people.
Prices and opening hours vary by establishment and season, so check on-site or in advance on the restaurant's own website.
When is it the quietest/least busy?
Early in the morning Eagle Beach is at its most beautiful and its quietest. The light is soft, the palapas are still free and the beach is practically empty.
It gets busier around noon, especially during months when many cruise ships dock and in the winter when it's peak season. Towards the end of the afternoon, it empties out again and the sunset watchers arrive.
You can read when the island as a whole is busiest in our guide about the best time to visit Aruba.
Eagle Beach or Palm Beach?
The two beaches are close to each other, but feel completely different. Palm Beach is lively, with tall hotels, water sports, boats, and beach bars, while Eagle Beach is wide, open, and quiet.
Those who like something to do and don't mind crowds will be happy at Palm Beach. Those who primarily seek space and tranquility should choose Eagle Beach. Many visitors do both, as the drive between them only takes a few minutes.
What you can expect at the neighboring beach, we describe in our article about Palm Beach.
Eagle Beach with children
For families, this is one of the easiest beaches on the island. The water is calm and gradually gets deeper, allowing children to play quite a distance without immediately being out of their depth.
The wide sand also allows for space to play without sitting on each other's towels. Make sure to provide shade, as there is little natural shelter and the sun is stronger there than the wind suggests.
More tips for traveling with children, from beaches to activities and daily schedules, can be found in Aruba with children.
Exploring the island from Eagle Beach
Eagle Beach is centrally located, making it a convenient starting point for a day of exploring more of the island. An island tour allows you to visit the well-known spots in the north and inland in a single day, without the need for self-navigation.
This is especially nice at the beginning of your trip because afterwards you'll have a better idea of which places you'd like to explore more thoroughly. Your guide can also tell you what's where and what to look out for.
Always check the tour page itself for the current duration, route, and conditions, as this information can vary by period.
From the west coast onto the water
The tranquil west coast, where Eagle Beach is located, is also the part of the island where boat tours depart. A catamaran trip will take you along the coastline, usually making one or two snorkeling stops en route at spots you can't reach from the beach.
For those who want to alternate a day at the beach with something more active, this is a logical combination. You see the island from the sea, and that gives a completely different perspective than from the sand.
Which tours are available and what distinguishes them, we summarize in our overview of the best boat tours in Aruba.
Sunset at Eagle Beach
Because the beach faces west, you can watch the sun sink directly into the sea there. That makes late afternoon one of the most beautiful times to be there, with warm light over the wide sand and the leaning trees silhouetted.
It's busier then than during the day, but with the width of the beach, there's still plenty of space. Bring something warmer if you stay, because as soon as the sun is gone, the wind feels cooler.
If you want to make it romantic, our article on Aruba for couples has more places and ideas for the evening.
This is how Eagle Beach fits into your week
A day at Eagle Beach combines well with a relaxed start to your trip, for example on the first or second day when you still need to get used to the climate. You don't need to plan much and you're within fifteen minutes from most hotels.
Later in your week, it's a pleasant in-between day between two more active days, such as after a visit to the national park or after a boat trip. This way, you keep your schedule balanced.
A complete weekly plan with beaches, nature and excursions can be found in Aruba in 7 days.
Frequently Asked Questions about Eagle Beach
Is Eagle Beach freely accessible?
Yes, the beaches in Aruba are public and therefore freely accessible. You only pay if you use facilities from a hotel or a beach bar, such as sun loungers or water sports equipment. You don't have to pay for the beach itself or the water.
Are there sun loungers and umbrellas on the beach?
Parts of Eagle Beach have palapas that provide shade; they’re free to use but taken quickly. Hotels and beach bars also rent out sun loungers to their guests and sometimes to others. If you want to be sure of shade, bring your own umbrella or beach tent.
Can you snorkel at Eagle Beach?
It's possible, but the bottom is mostly sand, so there isn't much to see. For snorkeling from the shore, you're better off driving to Boca Catalina, Malmok, or Tres Trapi, slightly further north along the same coast. Our guide to snorkeling spots on Aruba lists them all.
Why are there sometimes ribbons on the sand?
They mark sea turtle nests. Aruba is one of the places where these animals lay their eggs, and fenced-off areas show where a nest is. Don’t walk through them, don’t dig in the sand and keep bright light off the beach at night as much as possible.
What is the difference between Eagle Beach and Palm Beach?
Eagle Beach is wider, quieter, and has low-rise buildings behind it, while Palm Beach is livelier with tall hotels, water sports, and beach bars. The two are just a few minutes apart, so you can visit both. In our article about Palm Beach you can read what to do there.
How do you get to Eagle Beach without a car?
The public bus runs along the coastal road between Oranjestad and the hotel strip, stopping near the beach. Taxis are also widely available. How to plan a whole vacation without your own car is described in Aruba without a rental car.
Do you want to explore the island in addition to the beach? Then take a look at which activities and excursions suit your trip.
Baby Beach: Shallow Water and Calmness in the South of Aruba
Mangel Halto: snorkeling among the mangroves on Aruba
Tres Trapi: snorkeling with a chance of turtles and starfish
Best snorkeling spots on Aruba