Any Suggestions on this port?

It's just me and my husband traveling on the Breeze. We are looking for a nice beach to visit while we are in Aruba. Is there anything close to the port that's nice and safe? We are willing to walk or take a taxi. If a taxi is necessary, then how much is the cost round trip or per person?

All beaches in Aruba are public. All below are accessible by public bus, with Boca Catalina, Catalina Cove and Arashi beach being the furthest from the port. Plan on a good hour for the latter. It will be less than that, it depends upon whether or not the bus has to stop at every stop.

Water at Eagle Beach and Palm Beach is rarely crystal clear with the exception of just after sunrise. Boat traffic from watersports operators churns up the sand reducing visibility. You will rarely find crystal clear water anywhere in Aruba as you would find in the Bahamas. For the best snorkeling head to Boca Catalina, Catalina Cove, Malmok or Arashi Beach. See below for additional snorkeling info.

The closest location to the cruise terminal, with the bonus, if you have small children, of an adjacent playground is Reflextions Beach Bar & Restaurant at Surfside Beach.

Surfside Beach

Taxi fare $7 each way for a maximum of 5 people, with an additional $3 charge on Sundays & holidays or 1 mile walking distance along the new linear park

Reflextions Beach Bar & Restaurant http://www.beach-aruba.com

Beach chair and

Full day rental $12.00

Bar & restaurant

Free wifi

Swimming pool

Showers

Restrooms

Baby Beach

Taxi fare $38 each way for a maximum of 5 people, with an additional $3 charge on Sundays & holidays or by bus. Baby Beach you must take the bus to San Nicolas and change to their mini van transportation which takes you to Baby Beach. Some snorkeling (stay inside the ropes, there were lifeguards there as of 12/29/13) and clear water.

Two food vendors providing food and beverage as well as restrooms. Vendors providing chaises and portable cabanas for shade and free public palapas, first come first served.

Eagle Beach

Some vendors renting chaise lounges as well as jet-skis. They can also provide other watersports such as parasail, banana boat/tube rides, snorkeling excursions, at their locations or take you by boat to Palm Beach.

Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort

Taxi fare $10 each way for a maximum of 5 people, with an additional $3 charge on Sundays & holidays

Beach chair rental

Full day rental $15 each

Half day rental $10 each

Free wifi

Passions Beach Bar & Restaurant with beach service

No shade palapas available

MVC Eagle Beach Resort

Taxi fare $10 each way for a maximum of 5 people, with an additional $3 charge on Sundays & holidays

Beach chair rental

Full day rental $10 each

Half day rental $5 each

Tulip Restaurant (across the street from the beach)- breakfast, lunch, dinner & drinks

Free wifi

Restrooms

Shower

Changing room

Shade palapas available

Palm Beach

Taxi fare $11 each way for a maximum of 5 people, with an additional $3 charge on Sundays & holidays

Various vendors along the beach renting chaises and umbrellas. Most centrally located to food, beverage and bathroom are those at the foot of De Palm Pier. Use the alley from the street out to the beach which runs between the Radisson and Riu.

MoomBa Beach http://moombabeach.com/

Beach chairs

Float rentals

Restrooms

Free wi-?

Beach service

Kitchen open 8 am to 11 pm

Arubalisa,

Thanks for the great post on the beaches.

Aruba Day Passes

Occidental Grand Aruba

What You Get for Your Money: Passes, which are $76 for adults and about $38 for children, offer access to all amenities, meals, snack and drinks, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The price does not, however, include use of a room.

How to Get There: Occidental Grand Aruba is a 15-minute taxi ride from port.

For More Info: Visit Occidental's Web site or call 800-858-2258.

Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino

What You Get for Your Money: The day passes offered at this Aruba resort include transportation to the resort's private island, as well as lunch, a drink and dessert. The cost is $99 per adult and $49 per child and does not include use of a room.

How to Get There: This resort is just one-quarter of a mile from the cruise port, and it's walkable.

For More Info: Visit Renaissance Aruba's Web site or call 800-421-8188

You are very welcome. :)

All beaches in Aruba are public. All below are accessible by public bus, with Boca Catalina, Catalina Cove and Arashi beach being the furthest from the port. Plan on a good hour for the latter. It will be less than that, it depends upon whether or not the bus has to stop at every stop.

 

Water at Eagle Beach and Palm Beach is rarely crystal clear with the exception of just after sunrise. Boat traffic from watersports operators churns up the sand reducing visibility. You will rarely find crystal clear water anywhere in Aruba as you would find in the Bahamas. For the best snorkeling head to Boca Catalina, Catalina Cove, Malmok or Arashi Beach. See below for additional snorkeling info.

 

The closest location to the cruise terminal, with the bonus, if you have small children, of an adjacent playground is Reflextions Beach Bar & Restaurant at Surfside Beach.

 

Surfside Beach

Taxi fare $7 each way for a maximum of 5 people, with an additional $3 charge on Sundays & holidays or 1 mile walking distance along the new linear park

 

Reflextions Beach Bar & Restaurant http://www.beach-aruba.com

Beach chair and

Full day rental $12.00

Bar & restaurant

Free wifi

Swimming pool

Showers

Restrooms

 

Baby Beach

Taxi fare $38 each way for a maximum of 5 people, with an additional $3 charge on Sundays & holidays or by bus. Baby Beach you must take the bus to San Nicolas and change to their mini van transportation which takes you to Baby Beach. Some snorkeling (stay inside the ropes, there were lifeguards there as of 12/29/13) and clear water.

 

Two food vendors providing food and beverage as well as restrooms. Vendors providing chaises and portable cabanas for shade and free public palapas, first come first served.

 

Eagle Beach

Some vendors renting chaise lounges as well as jet-skis. They can also provide other watersports such as parasail, banana boat/tube rides, snorkeling excursions, at their locations or take you by boat to Palm Beach.

 

Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort

Taxi fare $10 each way for a maximum of 5 people, with an additional $3 charge on Sundays & holidays

 

Beach chair rental

Full day rental $15 each

Half day rental $10 each

Free wifi

Passions Beach Bar & Restaurant with beach service

No shade palapas available

 

MVC Eagle Beach Resort

Taxi fare $10 each way for a maximum of 5 people, with an additional $3 charge on Sundays & holidays

 

Beach chair rental

Full day rental $10 each

Half day rental $5 each

Tulip Restaurant (across the street from the beach)- breakfast, lunch, dinner & drinks

Free wifi

Restrooms

Shower

Changing room

Shade palapas available

 

Palm Beach

Taxi fare $11 each way for a maximum of 5 people, with an additional $3 charge on Sundays & holidays

 

Various vendors along the beach renting chaises and umbrellas. Most centrally located to food, beverage and bathroom are those at the foot of De Palm Pier. Use the alley from the street out to the beach which runs between the Radisson and Riu.

 

MoomBa Beach http://moombabeach.com/

Beach chairs

Float rentals

Restrooms

Free wi-?

Beach service

Kitchen open 8 am to 11 pm

Do not forget the local bus service with it's terminal on the other side of the road from the port gates. We take this to Arashi (lighthouse). Drop off is at the car park. At the beach turn left, out of the wind, go to the beach with rocks to your left. Wait for the catamarans to arrive from the cruise snorkel trips (food thrown overboard to attract the fish)' and just swim out and join in the fun

Cost? A few dollars for the bus.:D

All beaches in Aruba are public. All below are accessible by public bus, with Boca Catalina, Catalina Cove and Arashi beach being the furthest from the port. Plan on a good hour for the latter. It will be less than that, it depends upon whether or not the bus has to stop at every stop.

 

Water at Eagle Beach and Palm Beach is rarely crystal clear with the exception of just after sunrise. Boat traffic from watersports operators churns up the sand reducing visibility. You will rarely find crystal clear water anywhere in Aruba as you would find in the Bahamas. For the best snorkeling head to Boca Catalina, Catalina Cove, Malmok or Arashi Beach. See below for additional snorkeling info.

 

The closest location to the cruise terminal, with the bonus, if you have small children, of an adjacent playground is Reflextions Beach Bar & Restaurant at Surfside Beach.

 

Surfside Beach

Taxi fare $7 each way for a maximum of 5 people, with an additional $3 charge on Sundays & holidays or 1 mile walking distance along the new linear park

 

Reflextions Beach Bar & Restaurant http://www.beach-aruba.com

Beach chair and

Full day rental $12.00

Bar & restaurant

Free wifi

Swimming pool

Showers

Restrooms

 

Baby Beach

Taxi fare $38 each way for a maximum of 5 people, with an additional $3 charge on Sundays & holidays or by bus. Baby Beach you must take the bus to San Nicolas and change to their mini van transportation which takes you to Baby Beach. Some snorkeling (stay inside the ropes, there were lifeguards there as of 12/29/13) and clear water.

 

Two food vendors providing food and beverage as well as restrooms. Vendors providing chaises and portable cabanas for shade and free public palapas, first come first served.

 

Eagle Beach

Some vendors renting chaise lounges as well as jet-skis. They can also provide other watersports such as parasail, banana boat/tube rides, snorkeling excursions, at their locations or take you by boat to Palm Beach.

 

Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort

Taxi fare $10 each way for a maximum of 5 people, with an additional $3 charge on Sundays & holidays

 

Beach chair rental

Full day rental $15 each

Half day rental $10 each

Free wifi

Passions Beach Bar & Restaurant with beach service

No shade palapas available

 

MVC Eagle Beach Resort

Taxi fare $10 each way for a maximum of 5 people, with an additional $3 charge on Sundays & holidays

 

Beach chair rental

Full day rental $10 each

Half day rental $5 each

Tulip Restaurant (across the street from the beach)- breakfast, lunch, dinner & drinks

Free wifi

Restrooms

Shower

Changing room

Shade palapas available

 

Palm Beach

Taxi fare $11 each way for a maximum of 5 people, with an additional $3 charge on Sundays & holidays

 

Various vendors along the beach renting chaises and umbrellas. Most centrally located to food, beverage and bathroom are those at the foot of De Palm Pier. Use the alley from the street out to the beach which runs between the Radisson and Riu.

 

MoomBa Beach http://moombabeach.com/

Beach chairs

Float rentals

Restrooms

Free wi-?

Beach service

Kitchen open 8 am to 11 pm

Quick question Lisa....

I'm very pale (casper the friendly ghost is tan compared to me). I love sitting at a beach with natural shade to help the umbrella. Our group is also wanting to do a fair amount of snorkeling. What is your thoughts on a beach with ample natural shade and snorkeling?

If you just need shade, but not the chaise lounge then you could head to either Boca Catalina or Arashi Beach for the snorkelers. Otherwise, the only places which rent chaises would be on Palm or Eagle beaches and they do not have any snorkeling.

If you just need shade, but not the chaise lounge then you could head to either Boca Catalina or Arashi Beach for the snorkelers. Otherwise, the only places which rent chaises would be on Palm or Eagle beaches and they do not have any snorkeling.

Just a walking bank of knowledge ! We all thank you for your help.

I don't think we need the chaise loungers, but we do need shade, and a bar near by, oh and a good beach (easy in, easy out). Most importantly, not too busy or crowded. Maybe I should re-word it to say the least busy for a day visit.

Where would "you" go ?

Arubalisa can you tell me about malmock beach?

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Just a walking bank of knowledge ! We all thank you for your help.

 

I don't think we need the chaise loungers, but we do need shade, and a bar near by, oh and a good beach (easy in, easy out). Most importantly, not too busy or crowded. Maybe I should re-word it to say the least busy for a day visit.

Where would "you" go ?

You are very welcome. :)

For shade and a bar nearby, I would go to Palm Beach.

It will be busier and no snorkeling but shade and bar yes.

Various vendors along the beach renting chaises and umbrellas. Most centrally located to food, beverage and bathroom are those at the foot of De Palm Pier. Use the alley from the street out to the beach which runs between the Radisson and Riu.

MoomBa Beach http://moombabeach.com/

Beach chairs

Float rentals

Restrooms

Free wi-?

Beach service

Kitchen open 8 am to 11 pm

For quiet and shade, but a bar across the street and no snorkeling I would choose MVC Eagle Beach.

MVC Eagle Beach Resort

Taxi fare $10 each way for a maximum of 5 people, with an additional $3 charge on Sundays & holidays

Beach chair rental

Full day rental $10 each

Half day rental $5 each

Tulip Restaurant (across the street from the beach)- breakfast, lunch, dinner & drinks

Free wifi

Restrooms

Shower

Changing room

Shade palapas available

For snorkeling, quiet, shade under a tree, no chaises, no bar then Boca Catalina.

Arubalisa can you tell me about malmock beach?

Would it be easy to get there and back? What would be the nearest beach to that in walking distance. Would really love to snorkel but if we get tired go relax at a beach with chairs.

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You could get there via public bus but you would have to stand on the road and wait for a pick up on the return. You could perhaps get a taxi to drop you off and agree to come back and pick you up.

Having said that, it is not really near anything and there are no seats nearby.

Malmok is half way between Arashi Beach and Palm Beach.

ARUBALISA can you tell me anything about cruising to Aruba with a wheelchair confined? My Uncle cant walk at all. Having a hard time really finding out anything. Will we be able to just catch an accessible taxi or is that something we need to prepare for before we arrive?? Thanks in advance

You would need to make arrangements in advance. I would contact Bully at bullytaxi79@hotmail.com. If he cannot help you hopefully he knows someone he can recommend.

I just remembered this company http://litelifemedicab.com/

Thank You !

First off thank you for the time you take to answer all of these questions!

Secondly, you responded to my post about a Occidental day pass yesterday but I have decided since alcohol isn't part of our beach day it would be a waste of money.

But I do want a lounge chair, some shade and access to something to drink maybe a snack but mainly a cold drink.

No snorkeling but pretty beach and nice water to swim. My vision is a relaxing day with my book 😀 .

Which beach would you suggest?

First off thank you for the time you take to answer all of these questions!

But I do want a lounge chair, some shade and access to something to drink maybe a snack but mainly a cold drink.

 

No snorkeling but pretty beach and nice water to swim. My vision is a relaxing day with my book 😀 .

 

Which beach would you suggest?

If not the vendors at De Palm Pier on Palm Beach

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=44380273&postcount=2

I would suggest

The closest location to the cruise terminal

Surfside Beach

Taxi fare $10 each way for a maximum of 5 people, with an additional $3 charge on Sundays & holidays or 1 mile walking distance along the new linear park

Reflextions Beach Bar & Restaurant http://www.beach-aruba.com

Beach chair Full day rental $12.00

Bar & restaurant

Free wifi

Swimming pool

Showers

Restrooms

Eagle Beach

MVC Eagle Beach Resort

Taxi fare $13 each way for a maximum of 5 people, with an additional $3 charge on Sundays & holidays

Beach chair rental

Full day rental $10 each

Half day rental $5 each

Tulip Restaurant (across the street from the beach)- breakfast, lunch, dinner & drinks

Free wifi

Restrooms

Shower

Changing room

Shade palapas available

Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort

Taxi fare $13 each way for a maximum of 5 people, with an additional $3 charge on Sundays & holidays

Beach chair rental

Full day rental $15 each

Half day rental $10 each

Free wifi

Passions Beach Bar & Restaurant with beach service

No shade palapas available

But I do want a lounge chair, some shade and access to something to drink maybe a snack but mainly a cold drink.

 

No snorkeling but pretty beach and nice water to swim.

 

Which beach would you suggest?

We have never been to Aruba before. But this is exactly what we are looking for on our first visit.

You are very welcome. :)

 

If not the vendors at De Palm Pier on Palm Beach

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=44380273&postcount=2

 

I would suggest

 

The closest location to the cruise terminal

 

Surfside Beach

Taxi fare $10 each way for a maximum of 5 people, with an additional $3 charge on Sundays & holidays or 1 mile walking distance along the new linear park

 

Reflextions Beach Bar & Restaurant http://www.beach-aruba.com

Beach chair Full day rental $12.00

Bar & restaurant

Free wifi

Swimming pool

Showers

Restrooms

 

Eagle Beach

 

MVC Eagle Beach Resort

Taxi fare $13 each way for a maximum of 5 people, with an additional $3 charge on Sundays & holidays

 

Beach chair rental

Full day rental $10 each

Half day rental $5 each

Tulip Restaurant (across the street from the beach)- breakfast, lunch, dinner & drinks

Free wifi

Restrooms

Shower

Changing room

Shade palapas available

Arubalisa, How quickly does the shade get taken? Or put another way, which beach (meeting our criteria above - if possible) will have the most shade available?

Thank you in advance.

We have been in port to Aruba two cruises now and each time have gone to De Palm island through the cruise ship. It was beautiful with food and all drinks included. Wonderful shade and beautiful constant breeze. My only complaint is that it wasn't long enough there. We are returning next fall on our cruise and ncl has made this a 7 hour trip. Can't wait. The ship offers it for $99 pp. we'll worth it in my opinion.

We typically don't do ship sponsered shore excursions. However if that is the only way to guarantee shade we may have to consider it.

Can anyone tell me if we go to Palm beach for a few hours then want to go to Marriott casino is there somewhere we can shower off and change clothes. Don't want to go all the way back to ship to change.

Each resort has an outdoor beachside "rinse" shower and I suppose you could get dressed in one of their rest rooms.

There are two casinos in downtown Oranjestad- Seaport and Crystal- within walking distance of the ship. You could always head back to the ship to shower and change and then head out to one of those casinos.

ARUBALISA I have been searching the threads reading lots. But I figured I would ask you if you are not so busy. What would you recommend for a family of 5 adults 15yr, 8yr, 5yr to do ? We will only be in port from 1pm-10. I would also like a really good local place to eat dinner at if you can recommend some also. Thank you in advance.

ARUBALISA I have been searching the threads reading lots. But I figured I would ask you if you are not so busy. What would you recommend for a family of 5 adults 15yr, 8yr, 5yr to do ? We will only be in port from 1pm-10. I would also like a really good local place to eat dinner at if you can recommend some also. Thank you in advance.

For a family I would recommend an afternoon at the beach. Beaches in Aruba You could check out Palm Beach or Reflextions Beach Club or an all inclusive afternoon at De Palm Island (check with your ship for half day excursions).

For dinner I would take a look at the reviews at CC's sister website http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g147247-Aruba.html Gostoso is a very short taxi ride from the cruise terminal. I would not walk there, tucked away on a back street in Oranjestad, it is difficult to find. ;)

Arubalisa is hands the most helpful expert on this port (Thanks!), but I wanted to add a bit about Reflexions (Surfside / Nikki).

I have been to Aruba many times, including a land vacation, and normally just go to the Amsterdam Manor area of Eagle Beach to swim and relax, since I've seen the island.

This time I wanted a change, and went to Reflexions.

Now, the chair and umbrella were fine, and the bar was close and the staff was friendly.

However, there was loud rap / dance music playing all day, and (I did not realize this), you are right at the end of the airport landing strip. It's the Maho Beach (St Martin) of Aruba.

I enjoyed my few hours there anyway, as my stress level has dropped since I retired, but I will not go back. No, I'm not an old fuddy duddy, just like a little quieter relaxation so I can read and listen to my own ipod music selection.

If you are seeking a quiet peaceful day, enjoying the calm breezes under the palm trees, this beach is not for you. Head to Eagle