Aruba is a popular destination for tropical getaways and its Caribbean warmth. However, one of the less mainstream and more interest-specific strong points of the island is its break diversity. It has several reef breaks, beach breaks, and point breaks across its coast. More importantly, it has waves of different kinds that are appropriate for all types of surfers.
The 9 best places to surf in Aruba are Wariruri, Urirama, Arashi, Manchebo Beach, Dos Playa, Andicuri, Dunes, Rodgers Beach, and Druif. These spots open up into water with different types of waves and make the island a great place for beginner, intermediate, and advanced surfers to try their luck.
WariruriSandy beach with a rocky coast rounding up the waters around itBeginner friendly
UriramaExposed beach with serious waves in size and frequencyExercise caution
ArashiFor surfers who want to alternate between relaxing & catching wavesOccasionally optimal
Manchebo BeachManchebo Beach is the west-most point of ArubaHuge, inconsistent breaks
Dos PlayaDos Playa stands for “two beaches”Basic, with a rocky flavor
AndicuriA staple in Arikok surfingExperienced surfers only
Dunes/DoomsOne of the most consistent surfsConsistent, but for masters
Rodgers BeachNo waves until you go far off into the seaFor dedicated wave-chasers
DruifA remote beach along the west coast of ArubaIntermediate
In this article, you will learn more about the best places to go surfing in Aruba. You will also find out which type of waves can be expected at each spot and whether the surf at these spots is consistent or unpredictable. So, let’s get started with a quick roundup of the best places to go surfing in Aruba.
Table of Contents- 1. Wariruri
- 2. Urirama
- 3. Arashi
- 4. Manchebo Beach
- 5. Dos Playa
- 6. Andicuri
- 7. Dunes/Dooms
- 8. Rodgers Beach
- 9. Druif
- Surfing In Aruba: What To Pack?
- Your Surfboard (optional)
- GoPro Surfboard Mount
- Quick Dry Clothes
- Aruba Surfing FAQs
- Are there lifeguards on Aruba beaches?
- Can I learn to surf in Aruba?
- What beach in Aruba has waves?
- Can you buy a surfboard in Aruba?
- How big are the waves in Aruba?
- Final Thoughts on Aruba Surfing
Now you know the best places to go surfing in Aruba and what to bring with you (below) so you can have more fun. All that’s left is to get familiar with the different breaks and beaches before you commit to Aruba, and that’s what this section is all about.
Here are the best surfs in Aruba…
1. Wariruri
Wariruri is a sandy beach with a rocky coast rounding up the waters around it. This creates a more active current, resulting in better breaks. You can take your surfboard to the water body adjacent to the beach.
Named Wariruri Bay, it ultimately opens into the Caribbean sea. The concave shape of the beach ensures that there’s enough movement in the bay to give surfers something to be excited about.
Verdict: Beginner-Friendly
The waves on this beach are big enough for intermediate and advanced surfers around 20% of the time. 80% of the time, the waves are just big enough for beginners. Its inward current and beach break make it a relatively safe surfing spot.
2. Urirama
Urirama is special because it has consistent surf.
While the hurricane season has wilder currents, even at the calmest periods in the Caribbean, this exposed beach has serious waves in size and frequency. It also has faster waves because of its reef break, which is exciting for some surfers and scary for others.
Verdict: Exercise Caution
Intermediate surfers can do pretty well surfing off the Urirama cove. However, there are protruding rocks, shallow waters, and a reef break that they must safely maneuver to succeed when surfing. It is a challenging surf for advanced surfers.
3. Arashi
Arashi beach is great for surfers who want to alternate between relaxing and catching waves. It is in the proximity of the California lighthouse and has plenty of beach huts and an evening party atmosphere.
On a busy day, you won’t just surf awe-inducing waves but will have an audience for your conquest.
Verdict: Occasionally Optimal
You have to mind the rocks when surfing Arashi waves. And you have to mind the calendar as well because waves are surfable only during the hurricane season. That’s why it is best for intermediate surfers, and that too when the conditions are right.
4. Manchebo Beach
Waters just off of Manchebo Beach have significant waves because of converging currents. The beach does map out as a concave land strip, so there isn’t an isolated bay. Instead, it protrudes right into the Caribbean.
In fact, Manchebo Beach is the west-most point of Aruba, making it the most exposed beach break on the western side of Aruba.
Verdict: Gets Huge, Breaks Inconsistently
The Manchebo Beach waves can be surfed by intermediate and advanced surfers. The inconsistency in breaks can be annoying, but the waves do get huge, especially during the hurricane season.
5. Dos Playa
Dos Playa stands for “two beaches” and refers to a pair of coves formed by protruding points of the island’s limestone land.
Dos Playa’s protrusion into the water body around it, as well as the water’s intrusion into the pockets that these limestone arches create, make its waters wave-rich. You can catch waves off one of the “beaches” and sunbathe on the other.
Verdict: Basic With A Rocky Flavor
Beginners and intermediate surfers can enjoy surfing waves in and around Dos Playa coves. The waves can vary in size and swell acceleration depending on the season.
6. Andicuri
The Andicuri beach is surrounded by rocking protrusions on both sides, creating a concave beach with a decent tide. It is located at the Arikok National Park and is a staple in Arikok surfing.
Depending on whether you dive and surf off the protruding rocks or situate yourself parallel to the beach, you can find point breaks and beach breaks here, respectively.
Verdict: Experienced Surfers Only
The beach breaking waves of Andicuri, you never know how much control you will have over your board. This spot is best for experienced surfers.
7. Dunes/Dooms
Dooms refer to the northern part of Aruba, which has an exposed reef break. It is one of the most consistent surfs that is at its best between June and October and remains fairly surfable throughout the year.
Verdict: Consistent But For Masters
While the wave patterns around the Dunes beach are predictable and can be studied, they aren’t easy to conquer. It is not crowded with surfers because only advanced surfers can dominate its waves.
8. Rodgers Beach
Closer to the coast, Rodgers Beach is pretty calm. But if you swim far enough with your board, you will find a reef break. This, however, depends a lot more on the tide and the weather, as the waves around the waters off of Rodgers Beach are unpredictable.
Verdict: For Dedicated Wave-Chasers
Rodgers Beach doesn’t have waves to surf until you go far off into the sea. This isn’t a move recommended for new surfers, anyway.
9. Druif
If you like to surf in peace without the pressure of spectators or unsolicited competition from other surfers, you might find luck surfing off of Druif, which is a remote beach along the west coast of Aruba. It gets wavy only when the winds are strong.
And when it is not particularly wavy, the swells are only a few feet making the location occasionally disappointing for surfers.
Verdict: For Lucky Intermediates
While the waves, whenever they are present, around Druif beach are good enough for most intermediates and even beginners, they don’t show up very often. That’s why it is a very luck-contingent spot for surfing.
Surfing In Aruba: What To Pack?
Your Surfboard (optional)
Since Aruba is one of the most popular surfing destinations connecting to the Caribbean, you can rent surfboards and paddleboards easily. Almost any surfing school offers rentals, while most surf shops sell boards of all sizes.
But if you have a lucky surfboard, you may bring it along (if it logistically makes sense with your travel medium). Since most flyers have to choose between a checked bag and a surfboard, it is better to take a bag full of essentials and leave the surfboard.
GoPro Surfboard Mount
If you have a GoPro or any GoPro-style camera, you can use this surfboard mount to fix it in front of your surfboard. This will allow you to document the waves you conquer and experience the thrill of surfing from a completely different perspective.
Quick Dry Clothes
Quick Dry clothes like Amazon Essentials Quick Dry Swim Trunks ensure that you don’t have to pack before and after articles for when you go surfing. Just sunbathing after you’re done surfing leaves you with a dry pair of trunks.
Aruba Surfing FAQs
Are there lifeguards on Aruba beaches?
There are no lifeguards on Aruba beaches, which means beginners should not surf or swim alone when the waves are swelling and breaking consistently. They should also choose the spot to surf that suits their skill level.
Can I learn to surf in Aruba?
You can learn to surf in Aruba as multiple training businesses exist in the country. Most of them are located close to popular surfing locations for beginners and intermediates.
Beginners should definitely surf while following instructions and under the supervision of experienced surfers or surfing instructors.
What beach in Aruba has waves?
Urirama and Dunes are the two beaches with consistent waves for surfing. Other beaches can have inconsistent waves or unpredictable swells.
Can you buy a surfboard in Aruba?
You can buy a surfboard in Aruba from one of the many surf shops on the island. You do not have to pack your own surfboard to surf in Aruba, though doing so can save you money. However, taking your own surfboard to Aruba can reduce your personal baggage capacity.
How big are the waves in Aruba?
Waves in Aruba can go from 4 to 6 feet whenever the conditions are right. This is an exciting yet conquerable wave height for intermediate and advanced surfers.
Final Thoughts on Aruba Surfing
Aruba is a great place to surf, where you will find at least three spots that match your level of surfing expertise and interests at any time of the year.
The 9 surfing spots that are most positively reviewed by most surfers are covered in the article above. So, make sure to catch all the waves that are compatible with your skills and taste. Most importantly, get your conquest on video!