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Attractions

Most visitors make home base on the southwestern shore, on the hotel strips along Palm and Eagle beaches. The colorful capital of Oranjestad is a few miles east of these, and the Queen Beatrix airport about two miles further onward. The northwest tip of the island, marked by the California Lighthouse, is known for its dusty plains, wild waves, abandoned farmlands, and Aruban wildlife; the southeast, where industrial San Nicolas is found, is home to Aruba's oil factory. We've covered our favorite beaches and activities below; check the Aruba Tourism Board website (www.aruba.com) for additional events, maps, dining and nightlife listings, plus tours and excursions.

Beaches
If you've come to Aruba for the beaches – as most visitors do – the island has some fifteen to choose from, most concentrated along the southwest coast and ranging from fine white sand to pebble-and-shell-strewn. You can choose to spend your time on just one, or hop from one to the other on the Beach Express Tour (De Palm Tours; 297/582-4400; 4.5hr, $44; www.depalm.com;) that visits a few off-the-path favorites, namely Baby Beach, Rodger's Beach, and Mangel Halto Beach, via open-air bus (visits last about a half hour on each sandy stretch). Beachfront aside, no one can deny that the brilliant blue water surrounding the island is Aruba's star attraction and a plethora of watersports can be booked through your hotel's activity desk or directly at the waterfront piers located on the Eagle and Palm Beaches; fishing and boating excursions can also be booked right at the dock in Oranjestad.

If you're here on a vacation package, your hotel is likely to be on either Palm or Eagle beach – the two most popular strips of sand. Palm Beach is a smooth spread with the island's finest, powdery-soft sand with plenty of seating under palm-thatched shade, two piers, and several watersport outfitters. To the east of Palm Beach is Eagle Beach, the island's second-most-bustling stretch, and where various low-rise resorts and timeshare properties are located. This portion of sugary beach is a bit quieter than neighboring Palm, although it does have its share of beach bars, palapas (thatched umbrellas), and picnic areas.

Continue east to Aruba's widest sweep of sand, the fairly deserted Manchebo Beach, a.k.a. Punta Brabo, where only a few small European-style resorts are found and topless sunbathing is permitted. The surf is a bit stronger here than elsewhere on island, and you won't find watersports on offer – instead, you'll find enjoy plenty of seclusion and refreshing waves.

Pebbly Fisherman's Huts Beach, also known as Hadikurari, is an ideal windsurfing spot and where most lessons take place. It sits just above and to the west of Palm Beach, and its waters are dotted with colorful sails speeding across the surf.

Mangel Halto, on the east side of the island, between Oranjestad and Savaneta in the village of Pos Chiquito, boasts shallow waters and fine white sand. It's also an excellent spot to have a picnic lunch. On the island's eastern tip, you'll find Rodger's Beach, a bowed cove with exceptionally calm swimming conditions and a pier that's always crowded with kids – it's a great platform for cannonballing into the crystalline water. The Coco Beach Bar here is great for snacks and cocktails.

As its name suggests, Baby Beach (just east of Rodgers) is popular with families for its shallow, protected coves and powdery, shell-free sand; thatched huts provide shade and a snack truck sells burgers, dogs, soft drinks, and beer. But if you long for your very own bit of beach, head immediately north, to Boca Grandi, the most remote beach on Aruba, a stunning stretch of solitary sand that's bordered by dunes and limestone cliffs, but has no facilities or shelter from the sun; the waters here are quite rough and are only recommended for advanced swimmers and windsurfers.

Arashi Beach, near the lighthouse at the island's northwest tip, boasts one of Aruba's best swimming and snorkeling sites, soft sand, and calm waters; while you'll have to bring your own gear (the beach has no facilities), on-site beach huts provide reprieve from the sun.

Oranjestad
Pastel-colored Dutch colonial architecture along with dozens of restaurants, shops, and museums make up downtown Oranjestad, the island's easily walkable capital on Aruba's western side. The main thoroughfare, Lloyd G. Smith Boulevard, runs along the waterfront and is lined with malls, marinas, casinos, and bars. A good place to start exploring is the white tourist information booth next to Atlantic Pier.

Turn left down Oranjestraat to see one of Aruba's oldest buildings, the 18th-century Fort Zoutman (Zoutmanstraat 1; 297/582-6099), erected in 1796 to protect the island from pirate raids. The adjoining Willem III Tower, built in 1867, has since served as a jail, a courthouse, and even an aloe garden, but now houses the Aruba Historical Museum (Zoutmanstraat 1; Mon-Fri 9am-noon,1:30-4.40pm; $6) that traces the island's history from its pre-historic origins through the Dutch colonial period up to today. A different experience awaits one block over, where the Numismatic Museum of Aruba (Weststraat; Mon-Thurs 9am-4pm, Fridays 9am-1pm, Saturdays 9am-12pm; 297/582-8831; $5) exhibits a notable collection of historical coins from over 400 countries.

The Rest of Aruba
If you tire of the beach, it's easy to visit our recommended local attractions in an afternoon and Aruba's outback in a day. Getting around is pretty straightforward: you can either call a taxi from your hotel (Best Taxi; 297/582-1604) or take an island tour (ABC Aruba Tours; 297/582-5600; www.abc-aruba.com). Jeep tours are also ideal for exploring the rocky northwest coast; try De Palm Tours (297/582-4400; $69+; www.depalm.com) and AA Jeep Tours (297/568-8720; $55+; www.arubasafari.com) for off-road Aruba safaris, or cover the stark Aruban terrain on an ATV (De Palm Tours; 9am or 1:30pm; 297/582-4400; $75; www.depalm.com); the bumpy trek will take you to the Balashi Gold Mill Ruins and through the rugged trails of Arikok (see below for more information).

Starting from the Palm Beach area and heading up the coast, you'll first come upon the Butterfly Farm (J.E. Irausquin Blvd.; daily 9am-4.30pm; 297/586-3656; $12), home to forty species of brilliant butterflies from all over the world. Right round the corner looms the famous Old Dutch Windmill (J.E. Irausquin Blvd. 330; 297/586-2060), shipped from the Netherlands to Aruba in 1960. Continuing north, you'll come to Santa Ana Church (Caya F. D. Figaroa; 297/586-1409), originally built in 1776 and famous for its neo-Gothic, hand-carved oak altar (Sunday Mass is held at 7.30am and 6pm in the local dialect of Papiamento); do poke around the adjacent cemetery full of colorful above-ground graves.

Further north still, on the island's northernmost hilltop, stands the California Lighthouse, built in 1916 and named in tribute to the California, a passenger ship that sank just offshore. Although it no longer functions, the beacon still rises above a stunning backdrop of rolling dunes, boulder-strewn shores, and crashing waves. The little, yellow Alto Vista Church, about 15 minutes further along the dirt road that lines the coast, was the first chapel in Aruba, and the striking contrast between the cheerful church and the turquoise ocean behind it makes for a great photo op. Further east along the coast, you'll come across reminders of Aruba's mid-19th-century gold rush; the Bushiribana Ruins, for one, are thought to have produced 3 million pounds of gold in its 90 years of operation.

Centuries of pounding surf and fierce winds have sculpted archways out of coral rock to create Aruba's natural bridges. Although the island's massive 25-ft-high, 100-ft-long Natural Bridge collapsed in 2005, a similar but smaller wonder, Baby Bridge, sits nearby and is still impressive. To the south of the bridge are the Ayo Rock Formations - stacks of rocks and boulders - once thought to have religious significance, but now thought to give good luck. The latest Aruba folklore says piling these stones on top of each other will assure a fruitful and fertile life; it has become customary for newlyweds and couples to stack their own and thousands line the shore.

If you're with the kids, you may want to stop a half-mile from the Ayo Rock Formations at the Donkey Sanctuary (297/584-1063; www.arubadonkey.org), where dozens of these stubborn but friendly animals are cared for. More animal fun is in store at the Ostrich Farm (daily 9am-4pm; 297/585-9630; www.arubaostrichfarm.com), further down the same no-name dirt road as the Natural Bridge and home to friendly resident ostriches that will eat seed from the palm of your hand. De Palm Island is another family-friendly attraction located off the coast of Pos Chiquito, and although it sits just off the southern coast, most tours and excursions off the northwestern shore end with a trip to here. The tiny island touts sandy shores, excellent snorkeling, and the new Blue Parrotfish Water Park (9am-6pm daily, ferries depart every half-hour; 297/854-799; www.depalm.com) with 70 wet attractions; a five-minute ferry ride connects De Palm with the mainland.

On the northeast side of the island and stretching deep into the interior, Arikok National Park surrounds the 577-foot Mount Arikok and is an unspoiled landscape bordered by a jagged shoreline and pounding surf. Well-marked hiking trails wind through the terrain if you want to explore on foot, but if you prefer to be behind the wheel, a bumpy dirt road fit for 4X4s leads into the park from Highway 7A and continues to the coast. The ecological preserve covers about 20 per cent of Aruba and is more reminiscent of the scenery in Arizona's national parks than of a Caribbean island; expect to see abandoned gold mines, sand dunes, limestone cliffs, and rock outcrops. Iguanas, snakes, owls, and various other animals – many indigenous to Aruba – live here; the morning is best for wildlife viewing. Along the coast, you'll pass rolling hillsides and limestone bluffs filled with cacti, divi-divi trees, and peculiar rock formations. Other attractions within the park include the Boca Prins, a sandy enclave below the bluffs that hosts hatching sea turtles come spring; Dos Playa, a two-cove beach that attracts bathers and picnickers to its wide sandy spread and unruly ocean sprays (though swimming is not advised here); the Natural Pool, a calm protected inlet; and Fontein Cave, one of the island's finest limestone caves, its walls and ceilings festooned with Amerindian drawings and European graffiti.

ISLAND WATER & LAND ACTIVITIES
Powerful winds, crystal-clear waters teeming with fish, and protected bays and coves make for fantastic nautical adventures on Aruba. Whether windsurfing, scuba diving, boating, or just splashing around in the luke-warm waves off Aruba's shores, seafaring enthusiasts can get their kicks in the water. Land lubbers will also rejoice at the dry activities on island: Hop in the saddle and see the island on horseback, tee off at one of Aruba's golf courses, or hit the dirt on an ATV 4-wheeler – you'll soon discover that Aruba has plenty on offer to occupy your time on land. We've highlighted the most popular water and land activities below.

Watersports
With constant ocean winds hovering around 15 knots, windsurfing and kitesurfing are very popular on the island. Beginners should stick to the southwest shores where winds are gentler, but seasoned surfers can hit up the best locations along the northern and southeast shores, like Boca Grandi, one of the island's ultimate surf zones. If you're keen to try extreme surfing, visit in June when speed demons flock to the island for the Aruba Hi-Winds windsurfing contest (297/586-0440; www.aruba-hiwinds.org), a 10-day tournament that attracts hundreds of professional and amateur surfers.

We recommend two outfits to get you geared up teach you the sports: Dare2Fly (800/223-5443; $165+; www.dare2fly.com) offers a three-day beginner kitesurfing course ($375) with daily 2-hour lessons in calmer waters so fledglings can earn their wings. Aruba Active Vacations (297/586-0989; $50+; www.aruba-active-vacations.com) offers an instructional two-hour windsurfing program and a 5-hour beginner course; all are located on Fisherman's Hut Beach near the Marriott Ocean Club.

If you prefer your vessel to sport a larger sail (or a motor), check out Aruba's many boat tours. De Palm Tours (297/582-4400; $39+; www.depalm.com) offers a sailing and snorkeling combo on a 40-foot catamaran that stops at three different snorkeling areas, all offering fantastic underwater sights, including the Antilla, a famous World War II shipwreck. Pelican Adventures (Pelican Pier between Playa Linda and the Holiday Inn on Palm Beach; daily 9.30am; 297/586-1455; $69; www.pelican-aruba.com) offers an aqua safari on a luxe catamaran with beach and snorkeling stops, European breakfast, champagne lunch, and open bar. Take a peek at Aruba's aquatic life without getting wet on a glass-bottom boat (De Palm Tours; daily 11am; 297/582-4400; $32.50; www.depalm.com), where you can work on your tan on the upper deck and take in views of the reefs and the sunken Antilla on the lower. Or, sink 120 feet beneath the surface on a submarine with Atlantis Adventures (departing from the Renaissance Marina in downtown Oranjestad; 297/588-6881; $94; www.atlantisadventures.com) and explore brilliant coral reefs, sunken ships, and colorful marine life.

To get up-close-and-personal with the underwater world, Red Sail Sports (877/733-7245; $79+; www.redsailaruba.com) offers 5-star PADI-certified scuba programs and dive sites along the calm waters a short distance from the high-rise hotels on Palm Beach; beginners may want to take advantage of the one-day introductory class which includes instruction, pool session, a one-tank boat dive, and equipment. Or, if you're not quite ready to take the ultimate underwater plunge, try snuba diving with De Palm Tours ($112; www.depalm.com), and dive up to 20-feet deep without heavy scuba gear on your back.

If reeling in marlin, wahoo, shark, barracuda, blackfin, and yellowfin tuna is more your speed than swimming with them, a fishing excursion is your best bet. Excursions can be booked through your hotel or directly with the captain of your chosen vessel along the docks of Seaport Marina at Oranjestad Harbor. For some serious deep-sea fishing, we'd recommend chartering your own boat with Mahi Mahi Fishing Charters (297/587-0538; half-day trips for 4 people $325; www.aruba-mahimahi.com).

Land Activities
Aruba's high winds make for a challenging golf game so get ready to battle with the gusts at Aruba's 18-hole, championship Tierra del Sol Golf Course (Malmokweg; 297/586-0978; $145; www.tierradelsol.com), designed by Robert Trent Jones II. Located in the northwest region near the California Lighthouse, the course showcases desert terrain and ocean panoramas. The Links at Divi Aruba (J.E. Irausquin Blvd. 93; $70+; www.divigolf.com), across from the Divi Aruba Resort, offers nine holes, a clubhouse, and Mulligans Bar & Restaurant (with open-air terrace).

Giddy-up cowboys and gals can tour Aruba's rocky coasts and national park on horseback. Rancho Daimari (Palm Beach 33-B; 297/586-6284; $60; www.visitaruba.com/ranchodaimari), located on a coconut plantation on the northern coast, offers tours on winding trails through the Arikok National Park and to the Natural Pool. The Gold Mine Ranch (Matividiri 60; 297/585-9870; $55; www.thegoldmineranch.com), just minutes from the mine ruins on the northwest coast is great for beginners and kids, plus offers both group and private tours. Rancho Notorious (Boroncana; 297/586-0508; $55+; www.ranchonotorious.com) covers trails along the north coast to the sand dunes and lighthouse, along the coastline, or through the countryside.

Speed along Aruba's dusty frontier via ATV in a state-of-the-art racer. Rancho Notorious (Boroncana; 297/586-0508; $65+; www.ranchonotorious.com) offers 3-hour private and group tours that take you on rides past the Alto Vista Chapel, along the coast to Bushiribana, the Ayo Rock Formations, and the natural pool; goggles and refreshments are included. Rancho Daimari (Palm Beach 33-B; 297/586-6284; $65+; www.visitaruba.com/ranchodaimari) offers similar excursions along the northern coast.

See Aruba Travel Guide