Aruba Couples Beach Day: A Honeymoon-Friendly Plan

A good couples beach day needs very little: a quiet spot, cold drinks, and nobody having to dig an umbrella into the sand while the other one holds the towels. Arashi is a good place to do it, since it is calm and away from the resort crowds. Here is a plan you can use for a honeymoon, anniversary, or any day you want to slow down.

Morning: arrive and swim

Get there around 9:00 AM, when your set is ready and the sun is still low. The official description is calm, shallow, clear water with soft white sand. Aruba's tourism page also describes Arashi as quieter and more local than the resort-front beaches. Bring water shoes for the rocky bits near the shoreline.

Snorkel while it is calm. The left side as you face the sea has coral and fish. Our snorkeling guide has more. If only one of you likes the water, the other has a chair and a shady spot to read in.

Midday: shade and a slow lunch

The sun is at its strongest in the four hours around solar noon, so move under the umbrella. Pack a picnic in a cooler bag, or head out for a meal. The tourism office lists a beach bar at Arashi and a restaurant, El Faro Blanco, up by the lighthouse. Your set is held under your name until 5:00 PM, so you can leave for lunch and not worry about losing it.

Afternoon: climb the lighthouse

The California Lighthouse is a short drive or walk away. The tourism office lists it as open daily from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM with $5 admission. There are 123 steps to the top, and the 360-degree view makes a nice stop for photos. Check the hours on the day you visit.

Evening: the sunset

Arashi faces west, which makes it a natural sunset spot. Sunset ranges from about 6:11 PM in November to about 7:09 PM in July. Your hold on the set ends at 5:00 PM, so plan on towels on the sand for the final hour, or take the short trip up to the lighthouse for a view from higher ground. Bring a light layer, since the breeze can feel cool once the sun drops.

Small things that help

• A cooler bag with your own drinks and fruit in reusable containers
• A waterproof phone pouch for photos in the water
• Keep any music low. People came for the sound of the water
• Sunscreen for each other's backs. Reapply about every 2 hours
• A plan for the ride home if you are staying after dark

Should you get more than one day?

Couples on a honeymoon often come back. As a limited offer, day 2 is 10% off and day 3 onward is 20% off the set price. That means $120.00 for day 1, $108.00 for day 2, and $96.00 for each day after. Three days total $324.00.

What you get

One big umbrella and two beach chairs. It is set up and anchored before you arrive, and held under your name from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. You can leave and come back. The price is $120.00 per set per day, all in.

If you have never been up to this end of the island, our Arashi Beach page gives you a feel for it. Book your set at least 24 hours ahead and you will get confirmation right away with a map.

Source: Aruba.com: Arashi Beach, WHO: The UV Index, Aruba.com: California Lighthouse, Wikipedia: California Lighthouse, Gaisma: Oranjestad Sun Times, Aruba.com: Top-Rated Snorkeling Beaches. Conditions change, so check on the day.