California Lighthouse Aruba: Visit Guide and Beach Plan

The California Lighthouse stands at the northwest tip of Aruba, on high ground in an area called Hudishibana. Arashi Beach is right below it. Put them together and you have an easy day: beach in the morning, lighthouse after lunch, or the other way around.

Visiting basics

• Hours: Aruba's tourism office lists 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM every day.
• Admission: The same page lists $5, with no reservation required.
• The climb: Wikipedia gives 123 steps up a spiral staircase.
• Height: 30 meters, or 98 feet.
• Views: The tourism office promises 360-degree views over the island's west coast.

Hours and prices can change, so confirm when you get there. If anyone in your group dislikes tight stairs, the view from the base is still wide open.

Where the name comes from

The lighthouse takes its name from the S.S. California, a British steamship that sank off this shore on September 23, 1891, before the tower existed. Construction ran from about 1914 to 1916, and the light was first lit in 1918. A restoration took place in 2016. It is now a monument run by Monuments Fund Aruba.

What else is up here

The Sasarawichi Dunes, also called the California Sand Dunes, are next to the lighthouse. They are rolling white sand with cacti and aloe, and you can explore them on foot. Driving on them is not allowed. A restaurant, El Faro Blanco, is listed close to the lighthouse, so you can turn the stop into lunch. Bring closed shoes if you plan to walk the dunes, since the ground is uneven and the plants are prickly.

Best time to go

Midday up here is bright and exposed. Late afternoon is a better bet, and the tourism office recommends sunset, when the sun drops into the Caribbean and you might catch the green flash. Sunset in Aruba runs from about 6:11 PM in November to about 7:09 PM in July, so check the date for your trip.

How to get there

By car, follow the coast road north past Palm Beach and Malmok. Transfeero lists the Oranjestad run at about 12.5 km (7.8 miles) and 20 minutes on average. The Arubus line L10A runs between Oranjestad and Arashi Beach, but the bus company's destination page does not list a lighthouse stop. Plan to get off at Arashi and go the rest of the way by foot. The tourism office calls it a short drive or walk, and the road climbs a bit, so bring water.

A simple lighthouse and beach day

• 9:00 AM: Arrive at Arashi. Your set is ready.
• Morning: Swim and snorkel before the sun gets high.
• Lunch: Go up to the lighthouse area to eat.
• Afternoon: Climb the tower, then walk back to your chairs.
• 5:00 PM: Your hold ends. Stay on the sand for sunset if you like.

Set up below the lighthouse

Our sets at Arashi are one big umbrella and two beach chairs, set up and anchored before you arrive. Each one is held under your name from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, so you can leave for the lighthouse and return to the same spot. The price is $120.00 per set per day, all in. Our Arashi Beach page shows what the area is like.

Book a set at least 24 hours ahead and you get instant confirmation with a map.

Source: Aruba.com: California Lighthouse, Wikipedia: California Lighthouse, Aruba.com: Sand Dunes, Aruba.com: Arashi Beach, Gaisma: Oranjestad Sun Times, Transfeero: Oranjestad to Arashi, Arubus Line L10A. Conditions change, so check on the day.