How to Spend a Day at Baby Beach Aruba

What is Baby Beach Aruba?

Baby Beach is one of the best beaches in Aruba. It’s a crescent-shaped beach with shallow and calm water.  The water is a dazzling turquoise blue, separated from the rough ocean waves by a manmade barrier. The barrier is open in the middle to allow water to continue moving and flowing in the lagoon. 

The shallow water at Baby Beach makes it ideal for families with young children, people with mobility issues, and anyone who wants to wade out into the water for a long distance while still touching the bottom. 

Near where the bay opens out to the ocean, swimmers will find a roped-off area that is perfect for snorkeling.  You’ll see all kinds of fish here, like barracuda, blowfish, parrotfish, angelfish, and many others. 

Where is Baby Beach Aruba?

Baby Beach is located about 45 minutes from the Palm Beach area, at the southern tip of the island.  It’s one of the furthest beaches from the tourist areas, and there are limited accommodation options nearby.  Because of this, Baby Beach is perfect for a half or full-day trip.

The beach is near the town of San Nicolas, where you’ll find the Visitor’s Center, tons of street art, and the well-known Charlie’s Bar.  Outside of San Nicolas, and heading closer to Baby Beach, you’ll pass the famous giant Red Anchor, and the kitesurfing hotspot called Boca Grandi.

Baby Beach does have some mixed reviews because of a large oil refinery that can be seen from the beach. It’s far off in the distance, and only on one side of the beach, but it is there. Personally, we hardly notice it. Aruba is a small island, so it’s not uncommon to have a view of an essential facility from time to time. If the sight of the refinery will bother you, do what most people do and just face your beach chair the other way! Don’t let it take away from the beauty of this beach.

How to Get to Baby Beach Aruba

We highly recommend renting a car while in Aruba!  This is the best way to explore the island and get to places like Baby Beach.  Our favorite rental car company in Aruba is CarVenience. They’re very reliable, insanely affordable, and they have the sweetest staff. But if you’re just not comfortable driving in Aruba, you can find several thrilling jeep tours that stop at Baby Beach.

If you are driving on your own, you’ll take Route 1 from Oranjestad to Bernhardstraat in San Nicolas. Bernhardstraat changes names a few times, but you’ll just stay on this road until it ends at Kamini’s Kitchen, where you’ll turn right onto Sero Colorado. Continue straight, following the curve past the Red Anchor until the road ends at First Avenue. Turn left on First Avenue and stay to the right when the road forks. Seconds later, you’ll see Baby Beach.

Once you arrive, you’ll find a paved parking area on the left of the beach (by Big Mama’s) and a larger paved parking area on the right of the beach (by Rum Reef). Rum Reef’s parking area used to be dirt, but it’s recently been paved in anticipation of the new Secrets Resort. All parking, as well as access to the beach, is currently free. The side with Big Mama’s is where you’ll find rentals, such as windscreens and snorkel gear.

If you don’t plan on renting a car, you can also get to Baby Beach by renting a taxi for a few hours (this option is pricey) or taking the Arubus. Arubus used to only go as far as San Nicolas, but they have now added a route to Baby Beach from Oranjestad. Check their website for details here. At the time of this post, the route to Baby Beach has been temporarily suspended for unknown reasons. Hopefully this changes soon.

What to Do at Baby Beach Aruba

Baby Beach has a refreshment stand with simple hotdogs and hamburgers, a large outdoor restaurant called Big Mama’s Grill, and a smaller restaurant with a popular infinity pool called Rum Reef.  Near Big Mama’s you’ll also find beach rentals, including snorkeling gear, cabana-style windscreens, and lounge chairs.

The beach is also dotted with free palapas, which provide plenty of shade.  The palapas are often filled up though, as they are open to anyone.  If you see one without any belongings around it, snag it up quickly! Just be sure not to claim a palapa all day if you only plan to keep your belongings there. They are the only free source of shade on the beach and should be reserved for those who want to spend time relaxing on the shore.

If you can’t find an open palapa, and you don’t want to rent a cabana, be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen and a beach hat to protect you from the sun. This beach always has a strong breeze, which can keep you deceptively cool. Despite the cool breeze, the sun’s rays are still shining strong, so it’s easy to get burned.

It is important to note that there are no public restrooms at Baby Beach. You’ll need to bring cash (typically $1 USD) to access the restrooms at Big Mama’s Grill and Rum Reef, even if you’re a paying guest. This is actually common around Aruba, so we always keep a few single dollars on us when traveling around the island.

How to Rent a Cabana at Baby Beach Aruba

Cabanas can be rented directly from Big Mama’s Grill from 11:00 am to 5:45 pm daily. To reserve a cabana in advance, you can call or send a message on Whatsapp at +297-567-4950. A cabana with two lounge chairs will cost you $60 USD. You can also rent additional lounge chairs for $8 USD each.

We do suggest reserving your cabana in advance because they go quickly. The cabanas are set up like a half-tent, so they block both the sun and the wind. Each cabana comfortably fits two lounge chairs under it. The cabana will be set up near the restaurant, along the left side of the beach.

How to Spend a Day at Baby Beach Aruba

Spending a day at Baby Beach is simple and guaranteed to leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed.  We’ve crafted the perfect 1-day itinerary for Baby Beach, and we think you’ll love it.  We did this exact itinerary on our last trip to Baby Beach, and it was one of our best days on the island!

Arrive Mid-Morning

While it may be tempting to get an early start, there’s not much going on at Baby Beach in the early morning.  You’re better off spending the morning sleeping in, having a lazy breakfast, or checking out the street murals in San Nicolas. 

Although Baby Beach does attract a lot of tourists, fortunately, it’s large and hardly feels crowded. We suggest arriving around 11 am.  The parking lot on the Big Mama’s side is small so it fills up fast, but the larger parking area on the Rum Reef side has plenty of room. This parking lot used to be dirt but it was recently paved.

Snag a Spot

Once you’re parked, decide where you want to set up on the beach.  You’ll find free palapas lining the shore, and we suggest grabbing one if you see that it’s not being used.  If the palapas are already taken, you can also rent a cabana-style tent with lounge chairs for the day.  If a cabana is out of your budget, just find a spot on the beach and leave your things there!  You may be able to move to an open palapa later in the day.

Snorkel

Start your beach day with some great snorkeling.  To the left of the beach, near Big Mama’s Grill, there’s a roped-off area.  The water becomes deep after the rope, so this is a popular spot for snorkeling.  The area is a bit small, so we suggest doing this first before it gets too crowded.  You’ll see all kinds of tropical fish, like parrotfish, barracuda, and angelfish. We’ve even seen eels and blowfish here.

Lunch at Big Mama’s Grill

After you’ve had enough snorkeling, head to Big Mama’s Grill for lunch.  The restaurant is open-air with a fun Flintstones theme, including oversized wooden chairs and Flinstones attire for the staff. Their menu has everything from ribs to burgers to fish. Our favorite dish is the Calamari sandwich! Most of their meals are served with a delicious side of homemade pasta salad. They also have an extensive drink menu full of tropical cocktails.

Sunbathe and swim

After lunch, head back to your spot on the beach, or try to snag an open palapa. Spend some time sunbathing or take another dip in the water to cool off. We love to take our inflatable floats and wade out far into the water and let the current carry us across the bay. 

The left side of the beach is generally clear of debris and seagrass, so we usually swim in this area.  The right side of the beach has a more rugged ocean floor, but it tends to be less crowded. 

Aruba is incredibly safe, but be sure to keep an eye on your things while you’re in the water.  The current is stronger than you think, and in a matter of minutes, your belongings could be too far away to see.

Drinks at Rum Reef

Once you’ve had your fill of the ocean, head over to Rum Reef for a drink before trying their amazing infinity pool.  If you’re parked near Big Mama’s, you can hop in your car and drive over, or just walk along the shore.  If you skipped lunch at Big Mama’s, you’ll also find a full menu at Rum Reef.  We ate and enjoyed the food at both restaurants.  They also have a full selection of cocktails.  The drinks are strong, so be ready.

The Infinity Pool at Rum Reef

Any paying customer at Rum Reef is welcome to use the infinity pool.  You can order a meal and dine before jumping in, or just grab a drink and head right to the water.  Rum Reef closes at 6 PM daily, so keep an eye on the time if you plan on checking it out.

This is one of Aruba’s most Instagramable spots! The pool is small, but it’s very deep, so you won’t find visitors lounging around the edge for hours.  It’s surprisingly easy to get some one-on-one time at the edge of the pool, so don’t worry.  You may have to wait a few minutes, but you will have your moment!

Tips for Visiting Baby Beach Aruba

• WIND – Baby Beach can be very windy!  Like, can’t even hold onto your hat windy.  If you happen to visit on a day like this, just know that you may need to leave your belongings in your car if you don’t have a way to secure them. 
  
• CURRENT – Although the water is shallow and calm, the current can be very strong on windy days.  We’ve found ourselves clear on the other side of the beach within a matter of minutes because of the current.  It’s shallow, so it’s still suitable for families and children, but it’s surprisingly easy to drift away from your pack, so be careful. 

• TWO SIDES – It’s easiest to think of Baby Beach as two parts — the Big Mama’s side and the Rum Reef side. Big Mama’s is to the left, facing the ocean, and draws a bigger crowd. The ocean floor is pristine on this side, allowing visitors to wade out far into the water with little seagrass or rocks underneath. The Rum Reef side, to the right, is more rugged and has fewer visitors. The water is just as magical here, but there are larger areas of seagrass and a rockier ocean floor. That said, it’s still minimal and very easy to get around once you’re in the water. If you want to avoid the crowds, stick to the Rum Reef side.
  
• PARKING AND PALAPAS – It is completely free to park at Baby Beach (and all beaches in Aruba for that matter). The palapas (beach huts) are also completely free to use on a first come first serve basis. If you see an open palapa, feel free to use it!

• SNORKELING – You’ll find some of the best deep-water snorkeling in Aruba here, without going out into the open ocean. The man-made barrier will keep inexperienced snorkelers feeling much safer than they would at Mangel Halto or some of the other reef snorkeling spots. If you’re not a strong swimmer though, you may want to try snorkeling in the calmer waters on the northwest side of the island. The current can be strong and the water is too deep to touch the bottom here.
  
• TOILETS AND FACILITIES – There are no public restrooms at Baby Beach. You will need to bring cash to use the bathrooms at Big Mama’s Grill or Rum Reef, even if you’re a paying customer. This is actually typical around the island. Bathroom access usually costs $1 USD. There are no changing stalls or showers available.
  
• NO HOTELS – There are currently no hotels near Baby Beach. For those interested in staying nearby, there are rental properties available through Airbnb and VBRO. Alternatively, there are hotel options in the town of Savaneta, which is about 20 minutes away. We highly recommend Coral Reef Beach Aruba if you want to stay on this side of the island. This will change of course, once the Secrets Resort opens.

Where to Stay Near Baby Beach Aruba

There are currently no hotels around Baby Beach, but that’s what adds to its charm. As mentioned before, a Secrets Adults-Only All-Inclusive Resort is currently being built right next to the beach. Guests of the resort will be using Baby Beach in addition to the resort pool and amenities. It’s set to open in late 2024, although this date has been postponed numerous times already.

We recommend staying in the town of Savaneta, which is a short 20-minute drive from Baby Beach. Savaneta is an authentic little town right on the ocean, and it’s home to the famous Flying Fishbone and Zeerovers restaurants, which are two of the best restaurants in Aruba. Our favorite place to stay in Savaneta is Coral Reef Beach Aruba!

Coral Reef Beach Aruba has 8 boutique-style apartments right on the water. The property owners also own the Flying Fishbone next door. We’ve stayed at Coral Reef five times over the past few years, and it really holds a special place in our hearts. You won’t be disappointed!

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