Aruba - Adventure Guide to Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao - page 84

Adventures on Water

W arm, crystal-clear seas make Aruba the ideal vacation

destination for watersports fans. Swimming and snor-
keling are safe all along the leeward coast, and outfitters pro-
vide equipment for every type of water activity. Calm coves
allow for leisurely kayaking, and constant trade winds
across open water provide excellent conditions for sailing and windsurf-
ing. Fishing charters, sightseeing cruises, and party boats guarantee
guests a good time. Beneath the surface, divers explore Aruba's reefs and
wrecks, and non-divers share their enthusiasm from a dry underwater ob-
servatory or the Atlantis submarine.

Best Beaches
You won't find a bad beach anywhere along Aruba's leeward side. All are
public, clean, and easily accessible. Many are outfitted with lounge chairs,
tables, and shade umbrellas intended for use by guests of the nearby
resorts. Others have no facilities, but offer more privacy.
Porthole Cruise Magazine recently ranked Palm Beach and Eagle Beach
as the best in the world. Referred to as the Turquoise Coast, the two
beaches are noted for their seven-mile stretch of beautiful white sand con-
veniently located just 10 minutes by car from Oranjestad. Try to visit sev-
eral beaches during your stay on the island. Each has a different ambience
and you will need to sample a few to find the one that suits you best.

Did You Know? Public nudity is illegal and offen-
sive to Arubans. There are no official clothing-
optional beaches, but you won't be bothered if you
disrobe and stretch out on a sandy spot in a secluded
cove. In the resort areas, you will see topless sun-
bathing on the beaches (particularly at Manchebo,
Druif, and parts of Sonesta/Renaissance Island),
but not around the pools.

Palm Beach is lined with luxurious high-rise resorts that offer
watersports equipment, chairs, and shade huts for guests. Mature palm
trees provide additional shade, and the sand is groomed daily. The water is
calm and excellent for swimming, but motorized water toys and crowds of
people make this a busy, noisy area.
Eagle Beach is directly south of Palm Beach, but a rocky outcrop sepa-
rates the two and prevents foot travel between them. Travel + Leisure
Magazine says this mile of soft white sand is one of the 10 best beaches in
the world. Low-rise hotels and time-share resorts occupy the area, but the