Boca Prins
Aruba

Overview

I stopped at Boca Prins during my visit to Arikok National Park, which has plenty of things to do and see, but this cove was one of my favorites. I remember the first time I climbed down the wooden steps and saw the waves pounding against the rocks — Boka Prins felt like discovering a secret corner of Aruba that few tourists ever reach. 

It’s not a beach for swimming, but rather a place to admire nature, take photos, and enjoy the contrast between Aruba’s calm resort side and its wilder, wind-beaten coastline. Since it’s located inside the national park, you’ll need to pay the park entrance fee, but the scenery here makes it worth it.

My favorite thing about Boca Prins is that unlike most beaches on the northeast coast of Aruba, this one is kept clean and not full of debris. So you can enjoy the raw power of nature without the usual garbage scattered around. 

Best time to visit Boca Prins Aruba

• Time of day: Early morning or late afternoon for cooler temperatures and softer light for photography.
• Season: Year-round, though the waves are rougher in the winter months (December–March).
• Weekdays vs. weekends: Weekdays are quieter; weekends may bring a few more locals exploring the park.
• Weather-wise: Dry and breezy almost every day, but bring water as there’s little shade.

Tips for visiting Boca Prins Aruba

• Wear sturdy shoes for walking on rocks and sand dunes.
• Don’t swim — the undertow here is notoriously strong.
• Bring cash or card for the Arikok National Park entrance fee.
• Combine your stop with nearby Fontein Cave or the Dos Playa trail.
• Allow extra time if you’re driving from the resort areas — the roads inside the park are slower.

What to bring to Boca Prins Aruba

• Plenty of drinking water and light snacks.
• Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses for the intense sun.
• Camera or phone for photos — the cliffs and dunes are spectacular.
• A light jacket if visiting early morning; the northeast winds can feel cool.
• Small backpack to keep hands free while walking the dunes and steps.

While it isn’t a swimming beach, there’s still plenty of activities at Boca Prins if you like raw scenery, photography, and exploring Arikok National Park. The dramatic dunes, crashing surf, and quiet trails make it a great stop for anyone wanting to see Aruba’s wilder side.

Scenic walks & photography

The mix of white dunes, limestone cliffs, and turquoise waves makes Boca Prins one of the most photogenic places in Aruba. I often take a short walk along the dunes for different perspectives — the shifting sand and rugged coastline look completely different depending on the light. Sunrise and late afternoon bring the best colors for photos.

Trail to Dos Playa

From Boca Prins, a trail connects to Dos Playa, a pair of untouched coves about a 20-minute walk away. The hike isn’t difficult, but it’s exposed, so bring water and sun protection. Standing on the cliffs above Dos Playa with no one else around is one of those rare moments when Aruba feels truly wild and remote.

Wildlife & nature spotting

The area around Boca Prins is home to iguanas, lizards, and desert birds, and sometimes you’ll spot goats wandering the cliffs. The arid vegetation — cacti, divi-divi trees, and scrubland — gives a sense of how different this side of Aruba is compared to the resort areas. If you’re lucky, you might even see sea turtles in the surf below, though the waves usually make it hard to spot marine life clearly.

Visit Fontein Cave

Just a short drive from Boca Prins is Fontein Cave, famous for its ancient Arawak petroglyphs. It’s one of the few places in Aruba where you can see evidence of the island’s earliest inhabitants. I always recommend pairing a stop at Boca Prins with Fontein Cave, since both are inside Arikok National Park and complement each other perfectly — natural beauty outside, cultural history inside.

Explore Arikok National Park

Since Boca Prins is within Arikok National Park, you’ve already paid the entrance fee — so it’s worth taking time to explore more of Aruba’s most famous natural attractions. Highlights include:

• Conchi (Natural Pool) – a volcanic rock pool where you can swim safely when the sea is calm.
• Dos Playa – twin coves with strong surf, popular with local surfers.
• Guadirikiri Cave – known for its dramatic chambers lit by holes in the ceiling and home to bats.
• Fontein Cave – with indigenous drawings (easy to pair with Boca Prins).
• Scenic driving routes – across desert landscapes, lava formations, and hidden bays.

Arikok covers about 20% of Aruba, and exploring its mix of rugged coastline, caves, and desert is one of the best ways to experience the island beyond the resort strip. Most of it can be explored with a regular car, but you need a 4x4 to reach the natural pool.

Swimming and snorkeling are not possible at Boca Prins — the waves are too rough, and the undertow makes entering the water unsafe year-round. Even strong swimmers should avoid trying, as the surf here is notoriously unpredictable.

If you want to snorkel, the closest safe spots are outside of Arikok National Park on Aruba’s calmer west coast. Mangel Halto offers shallow reefs and mangroves teeming with fish, while Boca Catalina and Tres Trapi near Malmok are excellent for spotting sea turtles. Plan Boca Prins as a scenic stop for photography and nature, then save your snorkeling for these calmer waters.

You won’t find beach bars or snack shacks right on the sand at Boca Prins — it’s a completely natural, undeveloped cove. But there is one well-known spot close by that makes the trip even more worthwhile:

Boca Prins Restaurant

Boca Prins Restaurant is a rustic open-air eatery with sweeping views of the coastline near Boca Prins Beach. They serve a mix of local dishes, seafood, and simple snacks, and it’s the perfect place to cool down with a cold drink after exploring the park.

There are no resorts or hotels at Boca Prins — and in fact, there’s no accommodation inside Arikok National Park at all. The area is completely undeveloped, which means you’ll need to base yourself outside the park.

If you want to explore Arikok regularly and stay close to Boca Prins, you have two good options:

• San Nicolás side (Vader Piet entrance) – The nearest full resort is Secrets Baby Beach, a modern adults-only resort right by Aruba’s southern tip. From there, it’s about a 10–15 minute drive into the park.
• Santa Cruz side (northeast entrance) – Staying in a small guesthouse or Airbnb in Santa Cruz puts you near the other main park entrance. This is the most convenient base if you plan to spend multiple days exploring Arikok.

Most travelers still choose to stay in the Palm Beach / Eagle Beach resort area for the amenities and then visit Boca Prins on a day trip. But if your focus is hiking, nature, and the quieter side of Aruba, basing yourself near San Nicolás or Santa Cruz makes the most sense.

Boca Prins is located deep inside Arikok National Park on Aruba’s rugged northeast coast. To reach it, you’ll need to pass through one of the park’s official entrances — San Fuego (Santa Cruz) or Vader Piet (San Nicolás) — and pay the park entrance fee. From either side, the drive takes you across desert landscapes of cacti and limestone hills until you reach the wooden stairs leading down to the bay.

From the cruise port (Port of Oranjestad)

Cruise passengers can easily visit Boca Prins as part of a guided tour or by renting a car. Taxis are possible, but since the beach is inside the park and far from town, arranging a driver to wait is usually required.

How far is Boca Prins from the cruise port?

• Distance: ~20 km (12.5 miles)
• Driving time: 35–40 minutes
• Taxi fare: Around $45–55 USD one way (higher if driver waits)

From the airport (Queen Beatrix International Airport, AUA)

From the airport, follow Route 1A into Santa Cruz and enter Arikok via the San Fuego gate. The park roads are paved at first but become narrower as you approach Boca Prins.

How far is Boca Prins from the airport?

• Distance: ~16 km (10 miles)
• Driving time: 30–35 minutes
• Taxi fare: Around $35–40 USD one way

From Palm and Eagle Beach

If you’re staying in Aruba’s main resort area, the fastest route is south through Oranjestad and Santa Cruz, entering the park at San Fuego.

How far is Boca Prins from Palm & Eagle Beach?

• Distance: ~27 km (17 miles)
• Driving time: 45–50 minutes
• Taxi fare: Around $50–60 USD one way

From Oranjestad

Driving from the capital is straightforward: head east to Santa Cruz, then enter the park at San Fuego.

How far is Boca Prins from Oranjestad?

• Distance: ~20 km (12.5 miles)
• Driving time: 35–40 minutes
• Taxi fare: Around $40–50 USD one way

From San Nicolás

From San Nicolás, take the Vader Piet entrance into the park and continue north toward Boca Prins. This is the shortest route if you’re based in Aruba’s southern town.

How far is Boca Prins from San Nicolás?

• Distance: ~14 km (9 miles)
• Driving time: 25–30 minutes
• Taxi fare: Around $25–30 USD one way

Taxi to Boca Prins

Taxis are readily available in Oranjestad, the airport, and major resorts, but not inside Arikok National Park. If you go by taxi, make sure to pre-arrange your return pickup, since you won’t find drivers waiting at Boca Prins.

Approximate taxi fare to Boca Prins Aruba

• From Oranjestad cruise port to Boca Prins: $45–55 one way
• From Palm Beach / Eagle Beach to Boca Prins: $50–60 one way
• From San Nicolás to Boca Prins: $25–30 one way

Public transport to Boca Prins

There is no public bus service into Arikok National Park. The closest buses only go as far as Santa Cruz or San Nicolás, so you’ll need a car, taxi, or guided tour to reach Boca Prins. Always check the most up-to-date Arubus routes and bus schedules.

Driving to Boca Prinsby rental car

A rental car is the best option if you want flexibility. The drive is straightforward, but inside the park the roads are slower and narrower. Any regular car can reach Boca Prins via San Fuego; you don’t need a 4x4 unless you plan to combine it with rougher routes like the Natural Pool.

Parking

Boca Prins has free parking and even if it's full, you can pretty much park anywhere around.

Tours to Arikok National Park

The easiest way to visit Boca Prins without worrying about driving is by joining a guided Jeep, UTV or hiking tour of Arikok National Park. Most tours include stops at Boca Prins, Dos Playa, Fontein Cave, and sometimes the Natural Pool. Tours usually start from Oranjestad or Palm Beach and include transport, park fees, guide, and full-day tours have lunch as well.

Boca Prins Aruba is not the kind of beach where you spread out a towel and swim — it’s a place where you come to feel Aruba’s wild side. Hidden inside Arikok National Park, the cliffs, dunes, and roaring surf create one of the island’s most dramatic landscapes.

I wouldn’t recommend it for families with small kids or anyone hoping for calm water, but if you love photography, hiking, or simply seeing Aruba beyond the resort strip, Boca Prins is unforgettable. For me, it’s one of those rare places that makes you pause and appreciate just how diverse this little island really is.