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Vacation
Activities
Golf
Tierra del Sol, at the island's northwest tip, is Aruba's
first world-class golf course. The 18-hole, par-71 course
was designed by Robert Trent Jones II to take full advantage
of its rugged natural surroundings. The course manages
to pair peerless course design with a celebration of Aruba's
wildlife.
The Aruba Golf Club presents the challenge of the Caribbean's
most unusual nine-hole golf course, with oiled sand greens,
the ever-present trade winds, and an occasional goat as
a live hazard.
Adventure Golf, a miniature golf course surrounded by
water, is located on L.G. Smith Blvd., behind La Cabana
All-Suite Beach Resort & Casino. There are also paddle
boats and other amenities.
Horseback Riding
Aruba's topography offers a variety of exotic locations
for adventurous visitors. From the challenging sand dunes
to the desert-like plains that will make you feel like
the star of your own western motion picture. Along the
way capture spectacular views atop the Arikok Hills with
your camera. Riding experience is not required. Several
ranches offer horseback tours and adventures.
Tennis and Racquetball
The Aruba Racquet Club, Aruba's first world-class tennis
center, is located at Rooi Santo 21 in the Palm Beach
area. It features eight lighted courts, an exhibition
center court, a pro shop, a swimming pool, aerobics classes,
a fitness center, and a bar and restaurant. Opening hours
are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Most leading hotels also have tennis
courts and tennis instructors.
 Scuba Diving/Snorkeling
Diving in Aruba is famous for the spectacular shipwrecks
and interesting coral formations that dominate Aruba’s
underwater realm. This includes the 400 foot Antilla wreck,
which is the largest wreck in the Caribbean.
Good snorkeling spots include Arashi beach, Boca Grandi,
Baby Beach and many more. Gear can be rented at watersports
centers along the hotel area. There are several tours
that combine sailing and snorkeling.
Jet Skis
The smooth seas of the south and west coasts are perfect
for both beginners and experienced skiers. Jet skis are
restricted to certain areas. Please ask your hotel for
details.
Windsurfing
The constant 15-knot trade winds, along with the variety
of flat-water locations and challenging wave conditions,
have made Aruba one of the most popular spots on earth
for windsurfers. Whether you're a beginner, an expert
or anywhere in between, you can find a suitable location
for your skill level.
Novices can take advantage of the gentler winds and abundance
of equipment and instructors along the island's southern
shore, and advanced students and experts have a choice
of any number of prime locations along the northern and
southeastern coasts.
Every year in June, Aruba hosts the Hi-Winds Amateur World
Challenge windsurfing tournament. This ten-day competition
attracts the most competitive professional windsurfers
and hundreds of amateurs to the island of Aruba.
Fishing
In the temperate waters around Aruba, a variety of Atlantic
game fish can be caught year-round. Sailfish, white and
blue marlin, wahoo, shark, barracuda, amberjack, kingfish,
bonito, and blackfin and yellowfin tuna are abundant.
You can experience a full day or a half-day charter on
fishing boats. Excursions can be arranged through your
hotel activity desk or directly with the captain of the
boat of your choice. Most charter fishing boats operate
from Seaport Marina, across from the Sonesta Hotel in
Oranjestad.
Kite Boarding
Kite Boarding is one of the newest watersports that is
quickly gaining popularity anywhere in the world where
there is water. With the help of very large inflatable
kites, about 90 ft of flying lines and boards not unlike
small surfboards with footstraps proficient kite boarders
are able to skim across the water surface at 30+ miles
an hour and get launched 10, 20, 30, even 40 to 50 ft
up in the air. This is a sport like no other. With some
perseverance you will be amazed at how steep the learning
curve is too. Aruba is one of the premier locations for
this exciting new sport.
Kayaking
Kayaking is a relatively new adventure on Aruba, and visitors
are taking to it with enthusiasm. Because the waters on
the leeward side of the island are so calm, kayaking is
relaxing and peaceful way to explore Aruba’s coast. No
experience is necessary. A well-informed local guide leads
you through the basics and handles all the details from
pick-up to drop-off at your hotel.
Parasailing
Enjoy Aruba from a different angle. Parasailing is a unique
and exciting way to look at Aruba's beautiful beaches
and scenery. It is an ultimate feeling of freedom. Get
a bird's-eye view, while you are towed along by a speedboat.
The ride takes about 20 to 25 minutes and ascends and
descents directly from the boat. The airtime of your ride
is 8 to 10 minutes.
 Biking
Flat terrain and deserted back roads make ideal conditions
for bike enthusiasts. Traffic is too heavy in the tourist
areas and on the main road along the western coast, and
wind can be a deterrent for some. However, the paved roads
and smoother dirt paths along the northern coast are scenic
and enjoyable when the wind is calm.
Hiking
Arikok National Park has already laid 20 miles of trails
and more are planned. Some of the rock-bordered dirt paths
lead to formal presentations and learning centers; others
branch out to the isolate undeveloped areas along the
park’s north and south boundaries.
Carnival
You have not lived until you have experienced the spirit
of Carnival as it is celebrated in Aruba!
Carnival means weeks of events that bring you colorfully
decorated floats, contagiously throbbing music, luxuriously
costumed groups of celebrants of all ages, King &
Queen elections, electrifying jump ups and torch light
parades that wind their way through the streets at night,
the Jouvert morning: the Children's Parades and finally
the Grand Parade.This has got to be the greatest party
ever! Click
here for the Aruba Calendar of Events.
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