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Bachelor’s Beach Aruba (Boca Tabla): Honest 2026 Guide
Just past the red anchor on the road to Boca Grandi, a dirt track peels off toward a little cove that most visitors never notice. That is Bachelor’s beach Aruba, known locally as Boca Tabla. It is small, windy and rarely busy. You may also see it pinned on maps or mentioned online as “Coconut Beach”. We could not find an official source that uses that name, so if you are looking for it, search for Bachelor’s Beach or Boca Tabla.
One more naming trap: Bonaire also has a Bachelor’s Beach. Many search results and reviews mix the two up. This guide is about the one in Aruba.
Where Bachelor’s Beach is
Bachelor’s Beach is on the southeast tip of the island in the San Nicolas area, right next to Boca Grandi. From the red anchor fork near Boca Grandi, look for a dirt road on the left just past the anchor. You will need a car or taxi. There is space to park near the beach, but do not drive onto the sand.
What it is like
It is a relatively small beach with no facilities: no bar, no restrooms, no shade huts and no rentals. The trade winds blow straight in from the northeast most of the year, and the water is lively. Some guides find it a little calmer than Boca Grandi next door, but calmer is relative on this coast.
Crowds are rarely an issue. It sees far fewer visitors than the beaches on the calm side.
Can you swim at Bachelor’s beach Aruba?
We would not. VisitAruba says swimming is not recommended because the current can be strong, even though it is calmer than Boca Grandi. Another beach guide notes constant waves. There are no lifeguards. Enjoy it from the shore, wade carefully at the edge on a calm day, and keep children out of the water.
Snorkeling: a reef close to shore
Here is the surprise. Several sources point out a reef close to shore, and VisitAruba calls the snorkeling and diving spectacular. The catch is the same wind and current that keep swimmers out. VisitAruba recommends diving here only with an instructor, and we would say the same for snorkeling: go with a local guide who knows the conditions, on a day they say is suitable, or not at all.
If you want easy shore snorkeling in the south, Baby Beach and Mangel Halto are far more forgiving.
Windsurfing and kitesurfing
This is what Bachelor’s Beach is really known for. The steady northeast trade winds make it a good spot for intermediate and experienced windsurfers and kiters, and it is a quieter alternative to Boca Grandi. Beginners should learn on flat water at Fisherman’s Huts on the northwest coast first.
Best time to visit
Late morning into the afternoon is when the wind is usually up and riders are out, so that is the time to come if you want to watch. Early morning is quieter and cooler if you just want a walk and some photos without the glare.
What to bring
- Water and snacks. There is nothing for sale.
- Sun protection, including something for shade.
- Water shoes. The edge can be rocky.
- A small chair or towel.
- A trash bag, and take everything back with you.
Bachelor’s Beach and its neighbors
| Beach | Swimming | Facilities | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Beach (Boca Tabla) | Not advised | None | Wind sports, quiet, near-shore reef |
| Boca Grandi | Strongly discouraged | Small drinks bar | Advanced kitesurfing |
| Baby Beach | Calm lagoon | Restrooms, food, rentals | Families, easy snorkeling |
| Rodgers Beach | Calm bay | Limited | Quiet local swims |
A south coast loop that includes it
The easiest way to see Bachelor’s Beach is as part of a loop around the southern tip. Leave Oranjestad in the morning and drive southeast past Savaneta. Stop at the red anchor, take the photo, and walk Bachelor’s Beach and Boca Grandi while the wind builds and the kiters arrive. Then turn back toward Baby Beach for a swim in calm water, with Rodgers Beach next door if the lagoon is packed. Finish with a fish lunch at one of the waterfront spots in Savaneta on the way home.
The whole loop is a comfortable half day with a car. It gives you the island’s calm side and wild side within a few minutes of each other, which is the best way to understand Aruba’s two coasts.
Should you bother?
If you are on a south coast day already, yes, for twenty minutes. Walk the shoreline, watch the kiters, take in how different this coast feels from the hotel beaches. Then move on to Baby Beach or Rodgers to actually get in the water.
If you are an experienced windsurfer or kiter looking for space away from Boca Grandi, this might become your favorite spot on the island.
Either way, treat it with respect. The east side of Aruba is beautiful because it is wild, and the same wildness is why the swimming beaches are on the other side of the island.
Bachelor’s beach Aruba FAQ
Is Bachelor’s Beach the same as Coconut Beach?
Some travelers use the name, but we could not find an official tourism source that does. Search for Bachelor’s Beach or Boca Tabla instead.
Is it the same as Bachelor’s Beach in Bonaire?
No. They are on different islands. Check the location carefully when reading reviews.
Do I need a 4×4?
The access is a short dirt road. Drive slowly, park before the sand, and walk the last bit.
Are there lifeguards?
No. There are no facilities of any kind.