Hike to Aruba’s Natural Pool: Everything you Need to Know!

A highlight of our Aruba itinerary was doing the hike to Aruba’s Natural Pool! The water is SO CLEAR and the pools have such a unique geography! There are two main pools, both of which receive constant sprays of water from the waves crashing in.

The natural pools are inside Arikok National Park and down rugged terrain, and, therefore only available by hiking, horseback or 4×4. And by “4×4” they mean ATV or Jeep Wrangler, not just an SUV with 4-wheel drive.

Here is everything you need to know about visiting Aruba’s natural pool including how to do it LEGALLY, how to get there, where the trailhead is, what to bring and wear and more!

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Don’t Hike to Aruba’s Natural Pool Illegally

First and foremost, the Conchi Natural Pools are located INSIDE Arikok National Park.

So, although the trailhead is located just outside of the national park, you need to go pay the entrance fee and get your armband BEFORE you hike. Should you get stopped inside the park, you will need proof of the armband. 

Armbands can be purchased at the Arikok National Park Visitor’s Center located at the San Fuego entrance. So, get to the visitor’s center early so you can immediately head to the trailhead. 

Want to rent a car to get around the island on your own time? We rented one for two days to explore the island and loved it!

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Getting to the Trailhead of Aruba’s Natural Pools Hike

From the Arikok National Park Visitor’s Center, you will drive to Daimari.

TIP: Use Google Maps. Apple Maps directed us down a road that is for ATVs/4×4 only. Google Maps will take you CLOSE to the trailhead, but keep going to the Daimari Ranch Parking (parking allotted for the ranch that provides horseback tours). 

• The drive from the visitors center to Rancho Daimari Parking is about 15 minutes. The road is mildly rocky, but cars and regular SUVs were parked at the trailhead. 

Once you park, you’ll see the Daimari Beach in the distance and the ranch to the right. Take a right down the rather steep and rocky hill that will pass the ranch below. Once you reach the bottom, you will see a white sign signaling the beginning of the trail. 

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What to expect on the trail

If it feels like you are walking in random terrain, you are probably headed in the right direction. Once you get closer to Daimari Beach, keep right rather than heading toward the beach. From there, you will:

• Hike through white dunes
• Pass Boca Keto beach
• Stumble upon several goats probably (saw a large herd on the way there, but they were gone on the way back)
• Then follow along the coastline with a lot of black rocks and rugged terrain created by the wind and waves coming in from the east. 

You will enter the natural pools from below (if you take an ATV, you will arrive above the pools and hike down a set of stairs). 

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What to expect at Aruba’s Natural Pools

You’ll know you’ve arrived when you see all of the larger rocks and the staircase to the right where the ATV tours come in. You will first see all of the rock formations to the left, but the pools are to the right and not easily seen from the end of the trail.

• From the large, open space, go to the end, keep right where you can put your clothes, bags, etc and then you will climb a couple of rocks to access the large pool. 

The main pool is large enough to hold multiple tour groups and is deep enough to cliff jump.

If you want to access the smaller pool, swim across the larger pool and climb the rocks (to where you will also jump if you wish). Once you get to the top, you will see the smaller pool up above. 

Expect to see some colorful fish and small crabs and be prepared for lots of splashing from the huge waves hitting the pools rock wall!

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How much time should you allot for the Hike?

Don’t forget to allot time for getting your armband. 

• Drive from Arikok National Park to the trailhead: 15 minutes
• Hike: ~40-45 minutes one way
• Swimming: Totally up to you on how long you want to spend there. We swam, did some cliff jumping, climbed to the smaller pool and stayed about 40 minutes.
• Overall, expect to allot around 3 hours for the hike to Aruba’s natural pools

Below is an approximate breakdown of our timeline:

• 8:30 am visitors center to get armbands (left around 8:40)
• 8:55 Arrived at trail head
• 9:10 Began the hike (after applying sunscreen, etc)
• 10:00 Made it to the pools (took our time taking photos on the way there)
• 10:40 Left the pool
• 11:15 Made it back to the parking lot

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What to pack and wear for the hike to Aruba’s Natural Pools

The hike isn’t super strenuous or taxing so you don’t need much for the hike. However, it IS completely in the sunshine with minimal shade, so be prepared for that! 

What to Pack

I don’t actually recommend packing much. The hike is short enough to where you don’t really need snacks and you can drink plenty of water before and after the hike. You won’t need money or anything during the hike, so really the only essential items I recommend are:

• A water proof phone case or GoPro.
  • Whatever your preferred way to document underwater, I recommend having something to take photos and videos as the pools. They are really cool!
• Sunscreen
  • Although the hike isn’t super long and isn’t a challenging hike, it is out in the sunlight with minimal shade.
  • If you apply a generous amount of sunscreen before hiking out, you may be able to avoid carrying your sunscreen with you on the hike. However, if you are sunburn prone, don’t risk it!
• Small, quick-drying towel
  • Unless you don’t mind hiking back in your swimsuit to dry off or in wet clothes, bring a towel. I just recommend making it a small, travel, quick-drying towel.

What to Wear

• Swimsuit!
  • If you plan to swim, you need to WEAR your swimsuit in; there are no facilities to change at the pools
• Sturdy, waterproof sandals (Teva Hurricane’s are my current favorite)
  • The rocks at the pool are slippery, so if you plan to hike in tennis shoes, you’ll have to swim barefoot. Though its very doable, it is easier to have a sturdy, waterproof sandal while climbing the rocks at the pool and they will hold up fine during the hike
• Hat
  • My first face and nose burn occurred on this hike, even with the sunscreen application. In hindsight, I would have worn a hat during the hike. 
• Quick-drying clothes
  • I don’t recommend wearing anything that is going to hold moisture. Hiking in wet cotton or, heaven forbid, jean shorts will not be comfortable. 
  • My current favorite shorts are the Patagonia baggy 5″ inseam shorts. They can be expensive, but I have found them on sale and love them!

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Guided Hikes to Conchi Natural Pools

Obviously, to hike to Aruba’s natural pools in the manner mentioned above, you have to have a rental car.

• If you are visiting Aruba without a rental car but are still interested in hiking to the pools, you can take a guided hike! This way, you will be driven to the trailhead and have a guide throughout the hike. 

We passed a guided group hike on our way to the pools, meaning they were finishing up their hike. Many of the guided hikes are sunrise hikes that begin around 6:30 am and beat the heat and the crowds to the pools. If you are a morning person without a rental car, this may be perfect for you!

Book a guided sunrise hike!

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Alternative’s to Hiking to Aruba’s Natural Pools

Hiking not your thing?  You can still get to the natural pools a few different ways.  

1. Guided ATV/UTV
   • ATV tours have become super popular in Aruba. At every major site you visit in Aruba, you will notice multiple ATVs. It seems to be a very practical and fun way to see the island, though we will see how the amount of ATVs effects Arubas landscape/environment/longevity. 
2. Horseback Tour
   • Another option is to take a guided horseback ride to the pools. We passed one of these guided tours on the same trail we took to the pools and reviews through Viator and Trip Advisor are rated rather high for the tour!
   • Horseback riding experience is not required to take this tour. 
3. Rent your own ATV or Jeep Wrangler
   • Not a hiking fan AND not into guided tours? You can rent your own ATV/UTV or Jeep Wrangler to explore the islands and to get to the natural pools. 

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Recap of Hiking to Aruba’s Natural Pools

Aruba’s natural pools should definitely be on your Aruba itinerary, whether you decide to hike or take a different route to get there. 

Looking for other things to do in Aruba? Read here for a full itinerary to Aruba including hiking, beaches, landmarks, aloe vera tour and more!

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