Home / Guides / Aruba Beaches
Rodgers Beach Aruba: The Calm Local Bay Next to Baby Beach
Most visitors who drive to the southern tip of the island go straight to Baby Beach. Fewer turn a minute earlier. Rodgers Beach Aruba sits right next door, a narrow strip of soft white sand curving around a calm bay, with colorful fishing boats anchored off the far end. On a weekday it can feel like you have the place to yourself.
It has one quirk you should know about before you go, and we will get to that.
Where it is and how to get there
Rodgers Beach is in San Nicolas Zuid, on the sheltered southern side of the island, immediately west of Baby Beach. The two are within walking distance of each other. Coming from Oranjestad, follow the signs toward Baby Beach. At the red anchor fork near Boca Grandi go right, and Rodgers is the bay you reach just before Baby Beach.
Plan on about 40 to 45 minutes by car from the Palm Beach area. The tourism board lists public parking and public transport access. There are steps down to the sand in places, so expect a short climb if you are carrying a cooler.
The name and the history
The beach’s official name is Nanki, but nobody uses it. It is named for Captain Robert Rodgers, who was in charge of the Lago oil refinery at San Nicolas. In the 1950s the old Aruba Esso Club was built just to the south, part of the Lago Colony community where refinery staff lived. The club building still stands, mostly abandoned, with a dive shop operating out of it.
The refinery view
Here is the quirk. Look west across the bay and you will see the refinery’s tanks and towers on the horizon. Some people find it off-putting. Frommer’s notes the water shows no obvious sign of pollution. Our take: it is an odd backdrop, and also part of the real history of the south. If you can live with an industrial skyline, you get a quieter, more local beach in exchange.
Swimming at Rodgers Beach Aruba
The bay is protected, and the water is usually calm and clear. Frommer’s says it stays shallow for roughly 15 meters out, so you can wade a fair distance before it gets deeper. There are no lifeguards.
For families it is a decent alternative when Baby Beach is jammed, though the shallow area is smaller and it is less enclosed than Baby Beach’s lagoon. Keep children close and in the shallows.
Snorkeling
You can snorkel here and see fish and some coral close in, but do not expect a reef show. One snorkeling guide we checked found it less sheltered and less rewarding than Baby Beach next door. Bring your own gear or rent from the dive shop next to the beach, then try both and compare.
Facilities
Sources differ a little, which usually means things change from season to season. Here is what is reported:
- A shower, a restaurant and a dive shop with gear rental right beside the beach (tourism board).
- Some palapas and a small bar and grill (Frommer’s).
- Limited facilities overall, so bring what you need (other guides).
Shade is the thing most people underestimate. There are a few palapas, but they go fast on weekends. An umbrella or a pop-up shade is worth bringing.
When to go
Weekdays are quiet. Weekends are when Aruban families come down to swim, grill and spend the day, and the beach fills up. Both are worth seeing: the weekday calm if you want space, the weekend if you want to feel what a local beach day is like.
Mornings are the coolest time. The sun is strong on this side of the island, and the bay gets very bright by early afternoon.
Who Rodgers Beach suits
| Good for | Less good for |
|---|---|
| Quiet swims in calm water | People who want resort-style service |
| Escaping Baby Beach crowds | Serious snorkelers |
| A local weekend atmosphere | Anyone bothered by an industrial view |
| Combining with Baby Beach and Boca Grandi | A short trip from Palm Beach |
Make a day of the south
Rodgers works best as one stop on a southern loop. Watch the kitesurfers at Boca Grandi first, swim and snorkel at Baby Beach, then move over to Rodgers in the afternoon when the day-trippers start to leave. On the way back, stop in Savaneta for fresh fish by the water.
A few quick tips:
- Bring cash for small purchases.
- Pack water and snacks in case the restaurant is closed.
- Take your trash with you. There is not much pickup on this end of the island.
Rodgers Beach is not trying to be glamorous. It is a calm, honest bay where fishermen still anchor and families still picnic, and for a lot of people that is the better beach.
Rodgers Beach Aruba FAQ
How far is Rodgers Beach from Baby Beach?
They are neighbors. The tourism board puts it at about a one-minute drive, and you can walk between them.
Is it safe for kids?
The bay is protected and shallow near shore, so it is one of the calmer options in the south. As always, there is no lifeguard, so stay close.
Can I rent snorkel gear?
Yes, from the dive shop beside the beach, according to the tourism board. JADS Dive Center is also in the area.
Is the refinery still running?
We have not confirmed its current operating status, so we will not guess. What you will see from the sand is the tanks and towers on the horizon.