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 has long felt like a destination beach — somewhere you plan a dedicated day trip to, rather than part of casual beach hopping — and that’s still true today, even as the area continues to grow.

One of the biggest changes in recent years is the opening of Secrets Baby Beach Aruba, an adults-only resort located right on the shoreline. With a full-scale resort now anchoring the area, Baby Beach naturally sees more visitors than it did in the past. It’s no longer a hidden gem, but rather one of Aruba’s most well-known and well-loved spots.

The beach sits near the town of San Nicolas, where you’ll find the island’s Visitor’s Center, colorful street art, and the iconic Charlie’s Bar. As you continue past San Nicolas toward Baby Beach, you’ll pass the Red Anchor and Boca Grandi, a kitesurfing hotspot known for its strong winds and dramatic coastline.

How to Get to Baby Beach Aruba

One of our top tips for visiting Aruba is to rent a car! Aruba is incredibly easy to drive in, with clear signage, low speed limits, and roads that are straightforward to navigate. Even with increased development in the south, getting to Baby Beach is simple and well-marked.

If you’re driving from Palm Beach or Oranjestad, you’ll take Route 1 toward San Nicolas and continue onto Bernhardstraat. This road changes names a few times, but you’ll stay on it all the way until it ends near Kamini’s Kitchen. From there, turn right onto Sero Colorado, follow the curve past the Red Anchor, and continue until the road ends at First Avenue. Turn left, stay right at the fork, and you’ll reach Baby Beach within seconds.

Parking at Baby Beach is free (like most parking in Aruba) and relatively easy. The main parking area used to fill up quickly, but it has been expanded in recent years and can accommodate significantly more cars now — a change that coincided with increased traffic following the opening of Secrets Baby Beach Aruba. While parking can still spill into surrounding dirt areas during peak times, it’s unlikely you won’t be able to find a spot given the additional space.

The paved parking area on the left side of the beach is near Big Mama’s, a restaurant that rents snorkel gear and cabanas, which you’ll see set up near the water. The larger paved lot on the right near Rum Reef is also available. We prefer the left side of the beach because you can wade farther into the water without running into rocks or seagrass, though it is typically the busier of the two sides.

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). You could also join an island jeep tour that stops at Baby Beach. The Arubus, Aruba’s public bus system, also has a route to Baby Beach, although you will need to switch buses in San Nicolas if you’re coming from Palm Beach or Oranjestad.

What to Do at Baby Beach Aruba

Baby Beach has a refreshment stand with simple hot dogs 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 open to anyone, but they get snatched up very quickly.  If you see one without any belongings around it, claim it right away! 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

Updated February 2026. Prices and details can change, so it’s always a good idea to confirm directly with Big Mama’s if you have any questions.

How to Spend a Day at Baby Beach Aruba

A day at Baby Beach is still easy, laid-back, and incredibly scenic — but timing matters more than it used to. This updated one-day plan reflects how Baby Beach functions now, not how it felt years ago, and will help you enjoy the beach without fighting crowds or scrambling for shade.

Arrive Early (This Matters Now)

If Baby Beach is a priority for you, plan to arrive early in the morning, ideally between 8:00 and 9:00 am. While it used to be quiet well into the late morning, that’s no longer the case. Between resort guests, cabana rentals, and day-trippers, the beach fills in much earlier than it once did.

Arriving early gives you:

• Easier parking
• Better chances at a palapa
• First pick of cabanas
• Calmer water and fewer people in the bay

If you’re not a morning person, arriving later is still doable — just expect a busier, more social atmosphere rather than a quiet beach escape.

Snag a Spot

Once you arrive, your first priority should be claiming your beach setup. You’ll find free palapas lining the shore, and grabbing one early makes the rest of the day effortless. If the palapas are already taken, cabanas with lounge chairs can be rented from Big Mama’s Grill.

Snorkel While It’s Calm

Start your day with snorkeling while the water is still glassy and visibility is best. On the left side of the beach near Big Mama’s Grill, you’ll find a roped-off area where the water drops off beyond the rope. This is the main snorkeling zone and gets crowded later in the day, so earlier is better. You can expect to see parrotfish, angelfish, barracuda, and occasionally eels or blowfish.

Lunch at Big Mama’s Grill

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head to Big Mama’s Grill for lunch. The open-air restaurant has a fun Flintstones theme, oversized wooden chairs, and staff dressed to match.

The menu covers ribs, burgers, fish, and sandwiches. Our favorite is the calamari sandwich, and most meals come with their excellent homemade pasta salad. Pair it with a tropical drink and enjoy a proper beach lunch without leaving the area.

Swim, Float, and Relax

After lunch, return to your setup and spend the afternoon in the water. The left side of the beach has a sandy bottom and minimal seagrass, making it ideal for wading and floating. This is where we usually swim.

The right side of the beach has a rockier seabed and tends to be less crowded, which can be a better option if you’re looking for a bit more space later in the day.

The current can be stronger than it looks, especially when floating across the bay, so keep an eye on your belongings and how far you drift.

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.

This is one of Aruba’s most Instagrammable 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!