The hubby and I have planned a week long escape to Aruba in July, and I’m getting very psyched looking at all the photos of the beautiful beaches. There are so many of them, and they all look so pristine and gorgeous. Here’s a list of some of five of this beautiful island’s best beaches, all of which on on the island’s western side (very few are on the eastern side). This list is by no means exhaustive (I could list about 5-6 more!), but it’s a good start if you want to get a feel for what Aruba has to offer.

Malmok Beach in Aruba

1. Malmok Beach

This beach on the northwestern tip of the island is wonderful for snorkeling because the water is shallow with lots of rocks for the fishies to swim around. There aren’t any bathroom facilities, so plan ahead.

Aruba's Eagle Beach

2. Eagle Beach

This is the beach the timeshare we’re staying at is directly across from, and some say it’s the most beautiful on the island. It’s definitely not the most deserted (which is good for activities) or the most crowded (like Palm Beach, but again that’s fine for relaxation).

A Divi Tree on Aruba's Baby Beach

3. Baby Beach

Love the name of this one! You’ll see a bunch of the island’s famous Divi trees, which grow at a 45 degree angle due to the winds on the island. Apparently, if you’re lost, you can follow the direction the Divi trees point because they always point towards the hotels.

Palm Beach in Aruba

4. Palm Beach

This beach is lined with hotels and restaurants, and it’s probably the most busy beach on the island. But, this also means there are plenty of opportunities for water sports and rentals. Palm Beach has lots of white, soft sand and tons of chairs, but get there early to grab them!

5. Arashi Beach

Arashi means “storm” in Japanese, but don’t let that fool you – the water is crystal clear here! It’s the northernmost beach on the island, near the California Lighthouse, and it has beautiful white sand and a few beach huts.

Photos: Joskrum , jen’schapter3, sergi melki, madmack66