Eagle Beach, Palm Beach?

[39august]

Am I correct that this is really all one long beach, but the area called Palm is where the high rise hotels are and Eagle is where the low rise hotels are and is less crowded than Palm Beach?

[ineedacruise]

I just borrowed a video from the library on Aruba and that is how it was explained. I think we are going to do Eagle and Baby. Palm Beach will be way to crowded for my taste.

[cruislovin]

I just borrowed a video from the library on Aruba and that is how it was explained. I think we are going to do Eagle and Baby. Palm Beach will be way to crowded for my taste.

 

How far are both of these beach areas from the where the cruise ship docks? What is the best transportation to get to the beaches? What kinds of hotels and services are available at each location?

[ineedacruise]

How far are both of these beach areas from the where the cruise ship docks? What is the best transportation to get to the beaches? What kinds of hotels and services are available at each location?

 

http://www.aruba-travelguide.com/beaches/beach-1.html

 

Palm Beach White powder sands as far as the eye can see, and excellent swimming conditions in calm water. For changing and refreshments, you can use the public areas of the nearby hotels. Hotels also offer their own watertsports center. Accessible by public bus, taxi or car.

 

 

Eagle Beach Miles of white powder sand and friendly surf. Lots of motorized watersports (jet skis, etc), and hotels right across the street organize watersports & beach activities. Accessible by public bus, car or taxi

 

I believe the bus ( a 10 - 15 minute ride) is $2 and the taxis have a fixed rate. We are actually renting a car so we can explore the whole island and beach hop.

[39august]

So which is less crowded, Eagle or Palm Beach?

[ineedacruise]

Eagle Beach is supposed to be less crowded.

[smoothdancer]

Eagle beach is absolutely less crowded, and my preference.....

 

Palm beach however has lots of beach activity. If you are looking for things to do on the beach then Palm beach is for you.... If you want a less popluated beach, the island feel, pool bars, go to the low rise section.....

 

We do land vacations in Aruba often, and always do the low rise..... But then again, we can spend a day at the highrise section having a whole week in Aruba....

 

For me, the low rise gives you the quiet island experience(what we want), but for a day trip off of a cruise line, the high rise might be more fun

 

Both are great

[cruislovin]

smoothdancer,

 

Are there any water sports rentals available at all in the low rise section? If so, is it by a particular hotel?

 

Any recomendation on the best location in the high rise section for activity but not TOO crowded?

 

Where is the best place to shop? Last time we were in Aruba, over 2 years ago, we shopped mostly in a place near the pier. Is there other shopping available too?

[Arubalisa]

smoothdancer,

 

Are there any water sports rentals available at all in the low rise section? If so, is it by a particular hotel?

LaCabana, one of the largest resorts on the island, is located along the "low rise section" and has watersports rentals at their beach.

 

Any recomendation on the best location in the high rise section for activity but not TOO crowded?

At the south end of Palm Beach there are shade palapas along a stretch of beach which has no hotel(s). Photo The beach here is a little rockier, however in 15+ trips to the island, with the exception of some local Arubans on weekends, there is never anyone at this section of beach. You will also see "jetty" type rocks in the back ground of the photo. This is an excellent area for snorkeling and an easy swim from the beach.

 

A short walk to the north is the Wyndham resort where there are watersports rentals and "facilities".

 

Where is the best place to shop? Last time we were in Aruba, over 2 years ago, we shopped mostly in a place near the pier. Is there other shopping available too?

At the pier, and also just a little further walk, right there in downtown Oranjestad and all of the larger resorts have at least one major local jeweler or a mass retailer such as Columbian Emeralds who are located at the Marriott. The Holiday Inn SunSpree offers a fairly large "shopping arcade".

[cruislovin]

Thanks, Arubalisa - fantastic information and I appreciate it!

[smoothdancer]

ArubaLisa,

With all of your trips to Aruba, perhaps you can help??

 

Our next trip to Aruba will be September 05. This year staying at the Costa Lynda... have you ever stayed there?. Last year we stayed at the Casa Del Mar, which we really liked. Anyway, I have starting again looking for flights. They are so expensive!!!. Last year our flight was around 550, and now the flights are at around 750.

 

In your expereince do you find that flights go down closer to the flight date?

 

I also am taking a risk. I had enough miles for one flight, so I booked it. Then I am waiting for the price to go down to book one more seat on the same flight. If you know, have you ever seen flights book up early. The risk is that I cannot get two seats on the same flight.

 

Thanks,

Janet

[Birdnutty]

Does anyone know which of these beaches (Palm vs Eagle) is better for snorkeling? I don't want to go as far away as Baby Beach. And near which hotel is the best?(for snorkeling)

[bahamapapa]

Here is a comparison from another post:

 

Both areas are great, but have different offerings, depending on your style. Here are pros and cons:

 

Eagle Beach pros:

1. Closer to ship

2. Beautiful wide beach

3. Lots of space and beach loungers usually available.

4. Friendly, laid back atmosphere.

5. Cheaper drink prices generally.

 

Eagle Beach cons:

1. Less "action"

2. Older, less convenient casinos

3. No "wow" factor (except for the wonderful beach)

 

Palm Beach pros:

1. Lots of very nice resorts (from the Wyndham at the south to Marriott at north connected by a walking path along the ocean)

2. Very nice facilities, especially pools and casinos

3. Lots of water sports

4. Two piers with activities and bars.

5. Shopping village in center of hotel area

 

Palm Beach cons:

1. Further from ship--15-20 minutes from town, depending on traffic.

2. Pools often not accessible (ID required), although you can walk through

3. "Resort" drink prices

4. Very crowded beaches at times, especially near Radisson north to Marriott.

 

In short, we have stayed in both areas and love both for what they have to offer. If you want a beautiful, wide open beach that is fairly quiet, Eagle Beach is great. If you want lots of people and action, go to Palm Beach.

 

 

As for snorkeling, neither is great, but each have areas where snorkeling is worthwhile. These are sandy beaches and the ocean floor is generally the same. Snorkeling is good only around reefs and rocky areas. You will see some aquatic life naturally, and there are some rock formations sporadically off-shore on both beaches, but nothing too spectacular. If you want to snorkel, go about 15 minutes further north (Malmut?). This is where the snorkel boats go and you can walk into the water and snorkel in waste deep waters...beautiful.

[cruislovin]

Eagle Beach sounds great for my family. BUT we want to do some watersports. Are there any rentals available for watersports at Eagle Beach? Or can these only be found at Palm Beach?

[Birdnutty]

This is a good website, posted earlier inthis thread. It answers alot of questions

 

http://www.aruba-travelguide.com/beaches/beach-1.html#

[Fisherlady48]

Hi, I am not ArubaLisa but can help you I think. I am an owner at the Casa Del Mar, glad you liked it. You will also not be disappointed by where you stay this year either. September is considered the "bridge" season, however if you are flying Saturday to Saturday the flights are almost always full and I would go ahead now and book your ticket to get on the same plane as your companion. If the fares go down the airline will either honor them with a refund of the difference of some will offer you a credit on the next flight. If you really want to wait as it is so far out.. lock in a search on one of the on line travel agencies like Orbitz. They will notify you by email if the price comes up that you want to pay. Another good idea is to go online and check the seats for the flight you are already booked on. It will give you a great idea on the number of seats still available. Have fun..

[smoothdancer]

Fisher,

I have not had the time to thank you for your post..... So thanks!!

 

Not exactaly cruise chat, but we did absolutley love the Casa Del Mar, and look forward to another visit to Aruba this September.. We honeymooned in Aruba some 15 years ago, then a few years ago went on a cruise with a day stop in Aruba.... We knew a day was not enough... So for the 2nd year we will do one cruise per year, and one week , land, in Aruba.....

 

We are lucky that our timeshare has a good trade power, and can trade into Aruba in about a week.

 

The Costa Linda timeshare is Friday to Friday, so I am watching the flights. Right now the flight has tons of seats left. If I see it start to book up, I will bite the bullet and buy the 2nd seat.

 

You said that this time of year is the bridge period... What did you mean by this? Last yr we went the last wk in October, and I found waiting close to the flight time the fares went down....

 

Again, thanks for your help and insight.

 

Janet