Best Sunset Spots in Aruba: 7 Places Worth the Drive

Updated October 11, 2026 · 4 min read

20190428 Arashi beach Aruba - sunset 01 — Photo: SIryn, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Aruba’s whole west coast faces the sunset, so you can catch a good one almost anywhere between Oranjestad and the lighthouse. Still, some places do it better. These are the best sunset spots in Aruba, with what makes each worth the drive and how early to show up.

First, timing. Aruba.com says sunset in Oranjestad usually falls between 6:00 and 7:00 pm. It is a bit earlier in the winter months and later in summer. Aim to be in place 30 minutes ahead so you aren’t hunting for parking as the sky turns.

1. California Lighthouse

The lighthouse sits on a limestone rise at Hudishibana, on the northwest tip of the island, near Arashi Beach. It was finished in 1916 and is 30 meters tall. It takes its name from the steamship California, which sank off this coast in 1891. When it’s open, you can climb a spiral staircase of 123 steps to the top.

Why go at sunset: you get the sea on one side and dunes and desert on the other, and the elevation lets you watch the sun go down over open water. AFAR recommends arriving early enough to climb before the light goes.

Tips: the ground is rocky, so wear proper shoes. La Trattoria El Faro Blanco sits right next to the lighthouse if you want dinner after.

A fun fact for the drive up: Wikipedia tells the story that two police officers sent from Curaçao misunderstood “California” as a place name rather than the wrecked ship, and the name stuck to the lighthouse.

2. Eagle Beach and the fofoti trees

Eagle Beach is the widest beach on the island, and its two fofoti trees are among the most photographed sights in Aruba. Their wind-bent shapes point out to sea, which makes them a perfect sunset frame.

AFAR describes Eagle Beach sunsets as tangerine-colored, and the fofoti trees have even appeared in Aruba’s tourism ads.

Tips: Aruba.com describes parking as ample. The trees are popular with photographers, so get there early if you want them in the shot without a crowd. Aruba’s visitor code of conduct asks people not to hang hammocks or anything else from them.

3. Arashi Beach

Arashi is near the island’s northern tip and faces west over the Caribbean. Aruba.com calls it a favorite sunset spot. It feels quieter and more local than the resort beaches, and there’s a beach bar for a cold drink.

Tips: there’s a parking area close to the beach. Combine it with the lighthouse, which is just up the road.

4. Palm Beach

If you’d rather stay close to the hotels, Palm Beach works fine. Aruba.com suggests an evening walk along Eagle or Palm before sunset. There are piers, beach bars and plenty of happy hours along this two-mile strip. VisitAruba’s sunset happy hour list includes Bugaloe, out on a pier between the Hilton and the RIU, and MooMba Beach Bar.

Tips: this is the busiest option. Pick a pier or a bar terrace so heads are not between you and the horizon.

5. Surfside Beach, Oranjestad

Surfside is a small beach west of the airport, close to downtown. Its beach bar faces the sunset and you also get planes coming in to land, which kids love. The bar’s own website lists a 5 to 6 pm happy hour and sunset views.

Tips: good for a last evening if your hotel is in town or near the airport.

6. Mangel Halto

For something quieter, AFAR suggests Mangel Halto on the south coast. It’s a small beach with mangroves and shallow, calm water. Take a picnic, since there’s no reliable food here.

Tips: it’s about 20 minutes from Oranjestad. Popular with local families on weekends.

7. From the water

Aruba.com also points visitors to sunset sails, and it’s a great way to see the coastline lit up. Aruba.com’s three-day itinerary includes a late-afternoon sunset cruise from Palm Beach. Our clear boat tour also has a 4:30 pm departure. It’s a 1.5-hour snorkel trip rather than a sunset cruise, but it has you out on the water along the Malmok coast in the late-afternoon light.

Sunset happy hours

Sunset in Aruba often comes with a drink deal. VisitAruba’s 2026 happy hour guide lists several near the water, including Pelican Pier on Palm Beach (4 to 6 pm), SharQ’s Bahia on Eagle Beach (second round 6 to 8 pm) and Reflexions Beach Bar in Oranjestad (4 to 6 pm). Times change, so confirm before you go.

Comparing the best sunset spots in Aruba

Spot	Best for	Food and drink nearby
California Lighthouse	Views from above, photos	Restaurant next door
Eagle Beach	Fofoti tree photos, wide open sand	Hotel bars along the beach
Arashi Beach	A calmer evening swim	Beach bar
Palm Beach	Happy hour, walking distance from hotels	Lots
Surfside	Near town and the airport	Beach bar
Mangel Halto	Quiet, local feel	Bring your own

Tips for sunset photos

Stay after the sun goes down. The color often gets better in the 10 to 15 minutes after.
Use something in the foreground. A fofoti tree, a pier or the lighthouse makes the photo.
Bring a light layer. The trade wind feels cooler once the sun is gone.

A note on sunrise

If you’re an early riser, Aruba.com recommends the California Lighthouse for sunrise too, and San Nicolas on the east end is known as “Sunrise City”. Go early and you’ll have it mostly to yourself.