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Aruba🇦🇼 | landmarksCave PoolLimestone cove, rock-slab ladder, blue water, no entry fee | things to do and best time to go

Explore California LighthouseExplore Natural Pool

Backpacking in Cave Pool
👌 Worth visitingunique site ranked #6
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Cave Pool costs nothing to look at, and it sits beside a road you can drive in minutes, so it fits into a coast morning without planning. You’ll find it on the rugged north coast of Aruba, a short walk from the Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins and close to where the Natural Bridge once stood. Outside the park, there is no gate and no fee. A ladder drops down a rock slab into a limestone cove, and the water is a deep, clear blue against pale rock. The scenery is the draw. Swimming has been reported closed, so treat it as a viewpoint and photo stop, and skip it if you came only to swim. Arrive early for emptier shots before the tour vans roll in. Photographers and coast-road explorers will love it. Anyone wanting a guaranteed dip should look at the calm southern beaches instead.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Aruba Travel Guide.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #6 unique site in ArubaWhat makes it a must-see unique site

Cave Pool earns a place on a north coast loop because the cove is sculpted limestone you can see up close, with surf crashing just beyond the rim. It is a different Aruba from the white-sand resort strip. Nothing here is manicured, and that is the appeal.

The real strength is how close it sits to other sights. The Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins are about 200 meters away, so one short walk covers a ruined 19th-century smelter and a wave-carved cove. The coast road also passes the spot of the former Natural Bridge, which collapsed, and the surrounding rock still shows how hard the sea works on this shoreline.

It costs nothing to visit, which suits a tight budget, and the stop takes under an hour. Pair it with a drive or an off-road jeep tour along the windward side, and you get a full picture … read more 👉
Cave Pool earns a place on a north coast loop because the cove is sculpted limestone you can see up close, with surf crashing just beyond the rim. It is a different Aruba from the white-sand resort strip. Nothing here is manicured, and that is the appeal.

The real strength is how close it sits to other sights. The Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins are about 200 meters away, so one short walk covers a ruined 19th-century smelter and a wave-carved cove. The coast road also passes the spot of the former Natural Bridge, which collapsed, and the surrounding rock still shows how hard the sea works on this shoreline.

It costs nothing to visit, which suits a tight budget, and the stop takes under an hour. Pair it with a drive or an off-road jeep tour along the windward side, and you get a full picture of Aruba’s wild half without paying for an entry gate.

💡 HighlightsPlaces and moments you shouldn't skip

  1. Cave Pool: the small natural pool in a limestone cove, reached by a ladder down a rock slab. The water glows blue against the pale rock, and it is the shot everyone comes for.
  2. The ladder and rock slab: the access route is part of the experience. The slab is rough, uneven and often wet with spray, so wear shoes with grip.
  3. Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins: the shell of a 19th-century gold smelter, built of stone beside the sea. You can climb around the arches and look out over the crashing surf.
  4. The former Natural Bridge site: a large limestone arch once spanned the water here before it collapsed. The remaining formations and the small bridge nearby show how the sea carved the coast.
  5. The north coast shoreline: black-and-tan coral limestone, blowholes and heavy swell. The waves hit hard, and the sound
… read more 👉
  1. Cave Pool: the small natural pool in a limestone cove, reached by a ladder down a rock slab. The water glows blue against the pale rock, and it is the shot everyone comes for.
  2. The ladder and rock slab: the access route is part of the experience. The slab is rough, uneven and often wet with spray, so wear shoes with grip.
  3. Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins: the shell of a 19th-century gold smelter, built of stone beside the sea. You can climb around the arches and look out over the crashing surf.
  4. The former Natural Bridge site: a large limestone arch once spanned the water here before it collapsed. The remaining formations and the small bridge nearby show how the sea carved the coast.
  5. The north coast shoreline: black-and-tan coral limestone, blowholes and heavy swell. The waves hit hard, and the sound carries all along the rocks.
  6. Coastal photography: the cove frames well in early light, with the cliff edge and the mill ruins as backdrop. Wide lenses work best.
Start with Cave Pool itself while the cove is quiet and the light is soft, then walk over to the mill ruins once the tour groups arrive.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Cave Pool

Island Jeep Safari with Natural Pool Baby Beach and Lunch

Island Jeep Safari with Natural Pool Baby Beach and Lunch

5.0(10329) 8h
From €126
per personViator
Aruba UTV & ATV Adventure

Aruba UTV & ATV Adventure

4.9(9057) 4h
From €147
per personViator
Aruba UTV Adventure to Natural Pool Jeep Transfer

Aruba UTV Adventure to Natural Pool Jeep Transfer

5.0(7256) 6h
From €317
per personViator
Aruba UTV Off-Road Driving Experience North Coast Stops

Aruba UTV Off-Road Driving Experience North Coast Stops

5.0(6024) 4h
From €253
per personViator
Aruba North Coast ATV Desert Adventure

Aruba North Coast ATV Desert Adventure

4.9(2763) 4h
From €86
per personViator
Half-Day Aruba UTV Adventure Tour

Half-Day Aruba UTV Adventure Tour

5.0(1852) 4h
From €200
per personViator
Half-Day Aruba Island Tour from Oranjestad

Half-Day Aruba Island Tour from Oranjestad

4.7(1511) 4h
From €50
per personViator
Aruba 2-Seater UTV Tour Adventure

Aruba 2-Seater UTV Tour Adventure

5.0(799) 4h
From €109
per personViator
UTV Morning Tour: Discover Aruba's Hidden Treasures

UTV Morning Tour: Discover Aruba's Hidden Treasures

4.9(861) 4h 30m
From €200
per personViator
Aruba Off Road UTV Island Tour: Rugged Coastline & Culture

Aruba Off Road UTV Island Tour: Rugged Coastline & Culture

4.9(701) 4h
From €90
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?When to go for the best experience

  • Dry Season (December to April): Cave Pool sees the calmest, sunniest weather, with highs of 28 to 31°C (82 to 88°F) and the least rain. Days run about 11 to 12 hours. Prices and crowds peak, and tour jeeps arrive from late morning.
  • Summer (May to August): Heat climbs to 30 to 33°C (86 to 91°F) and the rock slabs around the cove bake by midday. Rates drop a little and daylight stretches past 12.5 hours, which gives long golden evenings.
  • Wet Season (September to November): Brief showers hit mostly from October, though Aruba stays far drier than most Caribbean islands. Temperatures stay around 29 to 32°C (84 to 90°F). Accommodation is cheapest, but the north coast surf is often rougher.
  • Swell Months (December to March): Stronger trade winds push bigger waves into the coast, so the cove looks its
… read more 👉
  • Dry Season (December to April): Cave Pool sees the calmest, sunniest weather, with highs of 28 to 31°C (82 to 88°F) and the least rain. Days run about 11 to 12 hours. Prices and crowds peak, and tour jeeps arrive from late morning.
  • Summer (May to August): Heat climbs to 30 to 33°C (86 to 91°F) and the rock slabs around the cove bake by midday. Rates drop a little and daylight stretches past 12.5 hours, which gives long golden evenings.
  • Wet Season (September to November): Brief showers hit mostly from October, though Aruba stays far drier than most Caribbean islands. Temperatures stay around 29 to 32°C (84 to 90°F). Accommodation is cheapest, but the north coast surf is often rougher.
  • Swell Months (December to March): Stronger trade winds push bigger waves into the coast, so the cove looks its most dramatic.
Arrive by 8 a.m. for cooler air, soft light and the coast to yourself.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: highly recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: highly recommended for travelingMARMarch: highly recommended for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: excellent for travelingJUNJune: good for travelingJULJuly: good for travelingAUGAugust: good for travelingSEPSeptember: good for travelingOCTOctober: good for travelingNOVNovember: excellent for travelingDECDecember: highly recommended for traveling
aruba-unique-site-cave-pool
© Google | Cave Pool Aruba

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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas and accommodation options

Palm Beach and Eagle Beach are the best areas to sleep for Cave Pool, roughly a 35 to 45 minute drive away on the island's opposite side. Eagle Beach has the most backpacker-friendly mix, with guesthouses and small budget stays, a lively set of beach bars and a public bus line to Oranjestad. It feels relaxed and safe at night, with plenty of other solo travelers around.

Oranjestad is the cheapest base. Dorms and simple private rooms cluster near the main bus terminal, and supermarkets and cheap local eateries keep costs down. It is less scenic after dark but fine for budget travelers, and buses … read more 👉
Palm Beach and Eagle Beach are the best areas to sleep for Cave Pool, roughly a 35 to 45 minute drive away on the island's opposite side. Eagle Beach has the most backpacker-friendly mix, with guesthouses and small budget stays, a lively set of beach bars and a public bus line to Oranjestad. It feels relaxed and safe at night, with plenty of other solo travelers around.

Oranjestad is the cheapest base. Dorms and simple private rooms cluster near the main bus terminal, and supermarkets and cheap local eateries keep costs down. It is less scenic after dark but fine for budget travelers, and buses to the beaches leave from here.

Noord and the Palm Beach strip suit anyone who wants nightlife, water sports and easy meetups, though prices run higher. San Nicolas, on the south side, has hostel-style stays, murals and a growing arts scene, plus the shortest trip to Baby Beach.

Because the north coast has no shops or shelter near Cave Pool, most backpackers rent a car or scooter, or share a jeep tour, from whichever base they choose. Sharing a rental with hostel mates cuts the cost sharply.
Best hostels in Aruba


Best quality hotels in Aruba

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)What things cost and how to budget

A day at Cave Pool costs about US$85 for a budget backpacker, because the stop itself is free and most of your money goes to getting there and sleeping nearby.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
EntryUS$0No fee, since it sits outside the national park. Access is by a ladder down a rock slab.
Accommodation (high season)US$35 to 50Dorm beds or basic guesthouse rooms. Low season runs roughly US$25 to 40.
TransportUS$20 to 35A shared small rental car or scooter is the usual way. Buses do not reach the coast road. A shared jeep tour costs more.
FoodUS$12 to 20Snack trucks and local lunch spots cost less than beachfront restaurants. Nothing is sold at the cove.
Water and snacksUS$3 to 5Buy at supermarkets in Oranjestad or Noord before heading out.
Total Daily BudgetUS$85 (approx.)Costs fall if you share a rental with others.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Cave Pool is a small natural pool in a limestone cove on Aruba's north coast, also sold as Secret Pool, Boca Pool or the New Natural Pool. It lies about 200 meters from the Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins, outside Arikok National Park, so there is no park fee. Access is by a ladder down a rock slab. Tour operators reported that swimming was closed in September 2025, so treat it as a scenery stop unless swimming is confirmed.
Plan on 30 to 60 minutes at Cave Pool itself, enough to look over the cove and take photos. Adding the Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins next door and the former Natural Bridge area stretches the stop to about 1.5 to 2 hours. Combined with other north coast sights, it fits into a half day.
Cave Pool is reached by car, scooter or jeep tour along the north coast road near Bushiribana, about 25 to 35 minutes from Oranjestad and 35 to 45 minutes from the Palm Beach hotels. Public buses do not run there. A rental car costs roughly US$40 to 60 a day, and a shared jeep tour costs more. Park near the gold mill ruins and walk about 200 meters over rough rock.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Aruban landmarks near Cave Pool

Explore more nearby:

  • Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins—Roofless smelter, arched windows, coastal wall climb, sharp coral shore| 0 km away
  • Ayo Rock Formations—Diorite boulders, hematite drawings, lizard-filled scrub, shaded overhangs| 2 km away
  • Alto Vista Chapel—Yellow chapel, Stations of the Cross, wind-bent divi-divi, northern coast terrace| 5 km away

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We 💚 feedbackFinal thoughts on visiting Cave Pool

Cave Pool works best as one stop on a north coast loop, paired with the Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins next door and then a jeep or scooter run along the windward shore. I would go early, wear grippy shoes for the rock slab, and treat it as a photo stop rather than a swim.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Aruba. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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