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From the moment we started planning our Aruba trip, the Natural Pool was one of two locations I wanted to see (the other being Flamingo Beach). Turns out it isn’t that easy to get to, but it is so worth it!
What is the Natural Pool in Aruba?
The Natural Pool in Aruba is a protected little pool created by rocks. When the tide comes in, waves crash over the walls. Bring your snorkel mask to view the small fish. This is probably one of the top sightseeing locations in Aruba so you need to plan how to get there. Our original plan was to take a tour. As I mentioned in our post about sightseeing, it wasn’t really feasible to go to all the places we wanted on one tour. Unfortunately, the only way to get to the Natural Pool is to take a 4 x 4 vehicle. What this means is that no tour bus will get you there. ATV tours won’t get you there, either. You either take a 4 x 4 or you hike. What?!? Yes, I said it – and it was worth the hike!
After my initial sadness over how I hadn’t done enough research so that we could have properly planned, Allan took over! By looking through various blogs, Allan found several posts from people who had hiked the trail to the Natural Pool. So we set about doing just that.
Taking a Tour of the Natural Pool in Aruba:
The first option is to take a tour. Lots of tours come this way. The drawback of going on a tour is that you only spend a limited amount of time in the pool. While we were there, we saw more than three groups go through while we got to stay as long as we wanted!
Rent a 4×4
The second option is to rent a 4×4. Since you can only get there on a 4×4, renting a jeep sounds great. But the rental rate of $150 a day was a little steep for a Common Traveler budget!
The third option is to hike in from the main gate. The easiest way to do this is to drive to the Arikok National Park office, get a pass (about $12 per person), leave the car in the parking lot, and hike the trail. We’ve been told this takes about 45 minutes. We couldn’t do this because the Natural Pool was officially closed due to the difficult tides from Hurricane Irma.
The fourth option is to hike in from a side road. To do this, you would park near the Rancho Daimari (a horse farm). One word of warning – you need to be really brave (or really stupid!) to drive down to the parking lot there – but we did it! My knuckles are still white several months later! Most locals recommend parking at the top of the hill, and I can understand why!
The Hike to The Natural Pool in Aruba:
Depending on the weather, plan ahead with lots of sunscreen, protective clothing (like Allan’s long sleeve lightweight shirt), and plenty of water. Aruba’s winds make it easy to forget how close you are to the equator and how quickly you can burn! Both of us wore water shoes but the drawback was that we both got sand and pebbles stuck on our feet at various points. We walked at a normal pace and it took us about 45 minutes each way from the Horse Farm.
Most of the way is completely arid and reminiscent of the lunar landscape (or at least my imagined version of it). But every 10 minutes or so we passed a beautiful beach. Signs warned us not to swim because the tide was too dangerous on this side of the island. We saw the carcass of a car by the side of the trail. I’m not sure how long it takes a car to deteriorate like this but proves the harshness of this environment! The only other people we saw on the trail were a small group on horseback on our way in and a couple on our way out. They must have parked at the top of the hill, adding at least another 30 minutes each way! Oh, to be young!
And just at the point where I was going to ask, “Are we there yet?” I saw the handrail of the 92 steps leading from the 4×4 parking area to the Natural Pool. We made it! As you can see from Allan climbing around, I don’t think that this sight is safe for those with mobility issues. I saw a woman in her 80s sit on her rump and slide into the water but her guide helped her.
We stayed for over an hour since we didn’t have any restrictions on our day. Groups came and went while we lounged. This was a refreshing break in our day before we explored other beaches by car.
The Natural Pool in Aruba is worth going to visit if you are in the area and should be at the top of your sights to see.
Read about our tour, the beaches, Manchebo Beach, Flamingo Beach, and where we ate while we were in Aruba.
Happy travels,
Annick, The Common Traveler
Raised as a third culture kid living in South America and Europe, Annick caught the travel bug early. Now that the children are gone, but still saving for retirement, she enjoys traveling in an affordable way and wants to share those ideas.
I visited Aruba right before I started blogging, and your post brought back memories of how challenging it was to get to the Natural Pool! It was definitely worth it in the end. I loved everything along the eastern shore of Aruba, the natural beauty there is unlike any other island.
It’s a great place for nature lovers.
That looks like such an amazing experience! I’d really love to explore this part of the world more!
Easy to get to from the US.
Yay on hiking in! Sounds like a grand adventure and one we would much prefer over either driving in with a 4×4 or taking a tour and having to leave when someone else decides (yuck!).
So much better to be in control!
After a hike, as a reward to climb into a pool – and then with this view – fantastic!
Worth the effort!
I like hiking, so this is the way I would want to get there anyways. Do you know when it is least crowded?
Early morning or later in the day since most tour groups get there around 10-3.
I would love to check this place out if I ever get to Aruba. I always find the difficult the place to get to, the crowds are a lot smaller. Also I got a thing about exploring natural places, would defo take the time out to explore this pool.
Definitely worth the visit!
The good thing about it being difficult to get to it that it keeps the crowds down hopefully!
Unfortunately not really but if you hike it, you can stay as long as you want!
Hopefully the Natural Pools will remain difficult to get to which will keep the crowds away! It sounds like the hike wasnt too arduous and you sure were rewarded with a great way to cool down at the end.
Very doable and the destination worth it!
Wow this looks like an amazing experience in Aruba! The pools look amazing and swimming here looks like a dream.
It’s a fun experience.
It was great fun.
From the pictures you posted that hike definitely looks otherworldly indeed. I’m glad you got their safe (I’d be a bit scared seeing the damaged cars around). Being able to spend as much time as your wanted at the natural pool would be pretty amazing though.
Wow! This is definitely a wonderful experience. I can imagine the happiness that you’ll feel upon seeing this beautiful place after a long hike. I would definitely love to do that but thinking of hiking back again makes me feel tired already (haha!) I guess I am going to pass on this natural pool and just make the most out of the flamingo beach.
Sunscreen shirts!! We never go anywhere without them and agree they should be in everyone’s suitcase. This is a hiking adventure for sure- am off the beaten path gem.
Yes! Allan was wearing one but I wasn’t.
Arent places even prettier and better if it takes so much to get to them? 🙂 I would definitely be up for that hike too! The natural pools look amazing! I haven’t been in Aruba yet, but ill definitely go there soon so have to add it to my list!
Really worth the trip – and the hike!
Looks like an absolute stunning place to
Take that dip but yet a bit difficult to get to. Great you guys managed to get there without a 4×4 but the trek will be too much for me travelling with kids. The hard work to get there surely pays off with a dip in the Devine pool surrounding by those rocks. Thanks fir sharing a great post.
It was absolutely amazing!
Wow i am completely in awe of the natural pool. Of aruba. Thanks for the details guide about visiting it. This will save us a lot if tine we’d have apner asking questions to google
You’re welcome!
So funny, I was just there but I took a tour. wanted to go solo but there were no jeeps available for rent! The jeep tour was actually pretty wild –– the drivers went over those steep parts so fast
Isn’t it scary? We went on an ATV tour of the island and were shocked by the speed too!
I think you guys did so well to get here without the 4×4. I’m on the youngish side, but I’m not the fittest, and would probably struggle a little on this hike lol. However, it sounds totally worth it, as the natural pools look fab in Aruba. I wouldn’t say no to this!
I’m not fit at all – we just took our time. The views were amazing!
That pool is gorgeous. I’m glad someone attached a handrail to those 92 steps. 🙂 I’ve never been to Aruba. I’m wondering what is the best time of the year to visit?
We thought we were off-season in September but there were still a lot of people. It is a great destination during hurricane season since it isn’t affected (one was passing off the coast as we were leaving which forced a change in flight plans but only because Miami was closed).