Eagle Beach Aruba

Why Eagle Beach Is the World’s Best Beach

Eagle Beach isn’t ranked the world’s best beach by TripAdvisor, US News and Travel + Leisure because of hype. It’s ranked first because of what it actually is: a wide, undeveloped, extraordinarily beautiful stretch of white sand where the only things competing for your attention are the Fofoti trees leaning in the trade wind and the turquoise Caribbean beyond.

No jet skis operating from the beach. No banana boat operators shouting. No strip of beach bars backing the sand. Just the ocean, the wind, and some of the finest natural light in the Caribbean.

Best Time to Visit Eagle Beach

Sunrise — 6:00am to 8:00am

This is the answer. Eagle Beach at sunrise — almost empty, golden light on the water, the Fofoti trees glowing, pelicans on the sand — is one of the most beautiful experiences in the Caribbean, and it costs nothing. Arrive before 6:30am. Bring a camera or just your eyes. Don’t miss it.

Early Morning — 8:00am to 10:00am

Still quiet by Caribbean beach standards. Good swimming. Beach chairs filling up but not crowded. This is when most serious beach days should start.

Midday — 10:00am to 2:00pm

The beach fills up. Chairs are harder to find under the Fofoti trees (first-come, first-served — they have no umbrellas or shade structures attached). Still beautiful, still worth it.

Late Afternoon — 3:00pm to 5:00pm

Crowds thin. Trade winds pick up. The light turns golden-amber. An excellent time to walk the full length of the beach.

What to Do at Eagle Beach

Swimming

Calm, clear, warm water — around 80°F (27°C) year-round. The beach slopes gently and there are no strong currents on the west coast. Suitable for all ages and swimming abilities.

Snorkelling

The reef at the south end of Eagle Beach has decent snorkelling — colourful fish, some coral, occasional turtles. Not as exceptional as Arashi Beach (20 minutes north) or the Antilla shipwreck, but walkable from your beach towel. Bring your own gear or rent at Palm Beach before you drive down.

Watch for Sea Turtles

Eagle Beach is a nesting site for leatherback and loggerhead sea turtles from March to September. Nests are marked by conservation teams. Stay 10 metres back from any marked nest, and don’t use flash photography near the water at night.

Paddleboarding & Water Sports

Rentals are available from vendors at the beach. The calm conditions make Eagle Beach perfect for paddleboarding. Browse water sport tours departing near Eagle Beach →