Aruba Travel Guide: UTV Island Tour
On our second day in Aruba, our hosts arranged for a full tour of the island. Only 20 miles long, touring the island in a day is possible and a good way to see key sites and learn the lay of the land. For our group of 13, two UTV trucks with guides/drivers arrived at our condos for pickup just before 9:00 a.m. The larger vehicles were a great way to enjoy the trip and bond with our larger friend group. There are a few different vehicle types to tour the island with so head to trip advisor and book the experience that’s right for you.
Before heading out, be sure to bring sunscreen and wear something good for sun protection. An entire day driving the island with beach stops will give you a lot of sun exposure. If you have long hair tie it up because in addition from the drag of the drive, Aruba has some intense winds. Our hosts pre-selected the sites they wanted to share with us so these are the spots we hit.
Divi Divi (Watapana) tree and Fofoti tree. We started our adventure with a visit to a Divi Divi tree and Fofoti tree. Known as Aruba's natural compass—because it always points in a southwestern direction—the Divi Divi tree is unique to Aruba. Our guides instructed us on the distinctions between the two trees (commonly mistaken for each other). While similar, an easy way to identify the tree is to note that Fofoti trees grow on the beach—in this photograph we are on Eagle Beach pictured with the Fofoti—and the Divi Divi (Watapana) tree grows across the island, growing from the dirt.
Our next stop was the Anchor in Memory of All Seamen. Approaching the anchor was a beautiful sight with desert landscape and the blue of the Caribbean ocean contrasting. Donkeys were winding the path below and the bright colors of kites from the kite surfers were all enchanting to take in. The anchor is a stark contrast to the barren surroundings and stands in memory and in honor of all seamen who have lost their life at sea.
Standing at 10 feet 6 inches wide and 15 feet, 6 inches tall the anchor is hard to miss.
We continued our adventure to Baby Beach. Soft white sands and clear ocean water, Baby Beach is the best of the Caribbean. We stopped for a swim and lunch. The beach club also serves cocktails to go so you can enjoy on the beach (although, with the wind we experienced a spill so beware! That wind gets you).
Next up was the most incredible experience of the day, a swim in the Natural Pool known as Conchi. Located in Arikok National Park, this unique rock formation of volcanic stone creates a circle around a small depression, creating Aruba’s Natural pool. You approach the pool from a small hiking path above. The hike down allows stunning, surreal views of waves crashing into the rock and spraying above and over into the pool.
Our guides provided snorkel equipment which was a nice option, and you can dive from the rock formations. Depending on the tide, the waves can have a forceful impact so you should be a strong swimmer if you undertake this activity.
In the video below, you can see that Arikok National Park is surrounded by beautiful cactus trees. Our tour included a stop at Bushiribana gold mine ruins which if you climb to the top (which we did) offers a nice view of the expanse.
Deeper into Arikok Natural Park, you’ll find the Natural Bridge. The result of thousands of years of the force of pounding waves and strong winds have chiseled away at the limestone cliffs creating Aruba’s natural bridges (or arches). Aruba’s largest natural bridge collapsed in 2005, a good reminder to enjoy the natural wonder before they go.
