Baby Beach

Baby Beach sits at the very southeastern tip of Aruba, in a sheltered circular lagoon that gives the beach its name: the water is so calm and shallow that it is safe for toddlers, hence the nickname. The turquoise lagoon is ringed by an arc of pale sand and a few shade-giving trees, and the atmosphere is completely relaxed.

The snorkeling just outside the lagoon entrance is excellent, with good coral formations and abundant reef fish. A colorful outdoor snack shack sells cold drinks and simple food, and you can rent basic snorkel gear on-site. There are no resorts here, no beach vendors, and no water sports operators — just locals and savvy visitors who made the 20-minute drive from Palm Beach.

Baby Beach is best visited on a weekday morning, before it fills up with families from across the island. The drive south along Aruba's rugged, cactus-covered coastline is itself an attraction, passing the island's oil refinery and the red-painted California Lighthouse before you arrive.