Aruba Itinerary: 7 Days That Cover the Whole Island

Updated October 11, 2026 · 4 min read

Ayo Rock Formations, Aruba 02 — Photo: Ginelly.Q, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

A week is the right amount of time for Aruba. You can see the whole island, which is only about 32 km long and 10 km wide, and still have time for beach days that aren’t on a schedule. This Aruba itinerary spreads 7 days across the island and mixes busy days with easy ones, and it puts the long drives in the middle of the week, once you’ve settled in.

Rent a car for at least days 5 and 6. For the Arikok day (day 4), book a 4×4 or a guided tour.

Day 1: Arrive and stay put

Check in, get in the water, and don’t plan anything. If you’re on Palm Beach or Eagle Beach, walk the sand at sunset. Moon’s one-week plan suggests timing your first evening with a beach bar happy hour, which is a good way to get your bearings.

Day 2: Snorkeling on the northwest coast

This is the calmest water on the island. Boca Catalina, Malmok, Tres Trapi and Arashi are all within a few minutes of each other, and each has fish right off the rocks. Arashi has shade huts and a beach bar, while Boca Catalina has neither.

Want to see the Antilla wreck? AFAR describes the M.S. Antilla, sunk in 1940, as a largely intact ship that divers and snorkelers explore. Go by boat. Our clear boat tour stops at the Antilla, Boca Catalina and Tres Trapi in 90 minutes, with gear included, and non-swimmers can watch through the glass floor.

Snorkeling tips: Aruba.com warns that Malmok has sharp rocks and sea urchins near shore, so wear fins or water shoes. At Arashi, the left side has the most fish. Aruba.com’s snorkel guide says there are no rental vendors near Arashi, so bring your own gear or rent it before you go.

Finish at the California Lighthouse for the view.

Day 3: Oranjestad and a slow afternoon

Spend the morning downtown. Moon recommends the National Archaeological Museum Aruba and the historical museum at Fort Zoutman, then lunch in town. Aruba.com’s three-day plan also suggests walking the Dutch-Caribbean streetscape.

Afternoon: back to the beach. You’ve earned it. If you have kids, Moon suggests the Butterfly Farm near Palm Beach as an easy add, best in the morning when the butterflies are most active.

Day 4: Arikok National Park

Arikok covers about 20% of the island. It’s open 8 am to 4 pm, and you buy a day pass at the visitor center. The headline stop is Conchi, the natural pool. You need a 4×4 to drive there. Guided jeep tours combine it with the Fontein and Quadirikiri caves, which is the plan in Aruba.com’s three-day itinerary.

Wear closed-toe shoes and bring lots of water. Skip swimming at Conchi if the waves are high.

Day 5: The north coast

The north side feels like another island: rock, cactus, crashing surf and almost no buildings. AFAR’s north-side guide highlights:

Alto Vista Chapel, a small yellow chapel built in 1952 on the site of the island’s first Catholic church
Bushiribana gold mill ruins, stone walls by the sea from Aruba’s gold rush days
Rugged coastline views along the way

Moon adds the Ayo rock formations to this loop. Don’t swim on this coast. AFAR notes the water can be rough and swimming isn’t encouraged, so follow the posted signs.

Evening: Eagle Beach for sunset by the fofoti trees.

Day 6: The south end

Drive to Baby Beach, a shallow lagoon about 45 minutes from the Palm Beach hotels. It has free shade huts, bathrooms and snorkel rentals. Snorkel inside the marked area only.

On the way back, lunch at Zeerovers in Savaneta: fresh fish on a pier, cash only, closed Mondays. Stop for a swim at Mangel Halto if there’s time, staying close to shore, since Aruba.com warns of strong currents farther out. Moon also suggests a stop in San Nicolas, nicknamed “Sunrise City”. If you’re traveling without kids, Rum Reef above Baby Beach has an adults-only infinity pool for the afternoon.

Day 7: Wind, water or nothing

Use your last day for whatever you liked most, or try something new:

Windsurfing or kitesurfing lesson at Hadicurari (Fisherman’s Huts), where the water is shallow and several schools operate
Kayaking on the calm south coast, which Moon recommends
A last beach morning before your flight

If your trip falls in late June or early July, check whether Aruba Hi-Winds is on. It’s a five-day windsurfing and kitesurfing event at Fisherman’s Huts and Boca Grandi with evening music.

Moon’s tip worth remembering: no scuba diving within 24 hours of flying. Snorkeling and sailing are fine.

Your 7-day Aruba itinerary at a glance

Day	Plan	Car?
1	Arrive, beach, sunset	No
2	Northwest snorkeling, lighthouse	Helpful
3	Oranjestad, beach	Helpful
4	Arikok, Conchi, caves	4×4 or tour
5	North coast drive	Yes
6	Baby Beach, Zeerovers, Mangel Halto	Yes
7	Water sports or rest	Optional

Where to stay for a week

Palm Beach is the busy high-rise strip with bars, restaurants and shops within walking distance. Eagle Beach is quieter, with low-rise hotels and the widest beach on the island. Either works as a base for this plan, since both are central on the west coast.

Practical notes

Weather: Aruba is dry most of the year. Wikipedia notes the short rainy season runs roughly September to January, and the island is generally outside the main hurricane path.
Money: the Aruban florin is pegged to the US dollar, and Wikipedia notes hotels and resorts prefer to deal in dollars. Carry some cash for local spots like Zeerovers.
Swap days freely. If the wind is up, move the snorkel day. Calm mornings are best for the water.