Gordo's Beach
Aruba

Overview

Gordo’s Beach is one of the island’s most unusual and least-visited coves. Although it appears on Google Maps, you won’t find it in any guidebooks — and for good reason. The beach sits inside military territory near the Vader Piet wind farm, making it off-limits to the public without special permission.

When I once tried to check it out, soldiers were actually running live-fire exercises nearby, shooting toward Gordo's Beach — a clear reminder that this is not a place for casual exploring. For this reason, I do not recommend visiting the beach from the sea either, if you don't want to find yourself between the soldiers and the target they are shooting at.

Unlike Aruba’s popular stretches of sand, Gordo’s Beach has no facilities, no snorkeling, and no natural shade. The shoreline is rocky in places, often scattered with rubbish washed in from the sea.

Gordo’s Beach's main “attraction” is its restricted status — while all beaches in Aruba are technically public, this is one of the few you cannot freely access. If you’re exploring the island, you’re better off spending your time at nearby beaches like Boca Grandi, Grapefield, or Baby Beach.

Best time to visit Gordo’s Beach

• Not applicable — the beach is closed to the public.
• If you glimpse it by boat, mornings are calmest for sea conditions.
• Avoid venturing close during military exercises.

Tips for visiting Gordo’s Beach

• Access by land is prohibited without military permission.
• Do not attempt to cross the stone barrier to enter the areas from Grapefield Beach.
• If boating nearby, keep a safe distance from the coast.

What to bring to Gordo’s Beach

• If you get permission to enter, bring everything as there is absolutely nothing on this beach.

There’s really nothing to do at Gordo’s Beach itself. The cove is off-limits to the public, with no facilities, no shade, and no safe swimming or snorkeling. Even if you reached it by boat, you wouldn’t find much more than a rocky, litter-strewn shoreline.

Gordo's Beach sits inside the Arikok National Park. From here, you can hike or drive into the park to see rugged coastlines, caves, and desert landscapes.

There is no snorkeling at Gordo’s Beach. The cove is rocky, often littered, and sits inside restricted military territory, making it both unsafe and inaccessible for visitors. Even if you reached it by boat, the waters here are not suitable for snorkeling.

For a better experience, head to nearby spots:

• Baby Beach – Calm, shallow lagoon ideal for beginners and families.
• Mangel Halto – Known for its mangroves and colorful fish.
• Boca Catalina & Tres Trapi – On the northwest coast, popular for snorkeling with sea turtles.

There are no bars or restaurants at Gordo’s Beach itself. The cove is remote, restricted, and has no facilities of any kind.

The closest (and only) dining option inside Arikok National Park is the Boca Prins Restaurant, located near the famous Boca Prins sand dunes. It’s a rustic, open-air spot known for fresh fish dishes, local specialties, and cold drinks — perfect after exploring the rugged coastline of the park.

For more variety, you’ll need to drive into San Nicolas, where you’ll find casual local eateries and a few international options.

There are no hotels, resorts, or guesthouses near Gordo’s Beach. The area is part of restricted military territory and has no tourist facilities.

If you want to stay nearby, the closest accommodations are in San Nicolas or along the southern coast near Baby Beach. Otherwise, most visitors base themselves in Aruba’s main hotel zones at Eagle Beach or Palm Beach, then make day trips to explore the southeast coast.

The only way to approach Gordo’s Beach is by car, but even then, you won’t be able to actually set foot on the sand. There is no public transport nearby, and taxis won’t take you to this part of the island.

To reach the area, you must enter Arikok National Park through the Vader Piet entrance on the southeast coast. From there, turn right at the wind farm — the road leads toward the shoreline where Gordo’s Beach is located. However, access to the beach itself is prohibited, as it lies within military territory.

On Google Maps, you may notice an alternative dirt track from Grapefield Beach, but you cannot cross here either. The road is blocked with a rock barrier and marked with clear No Trespassing signs, leaving no legal way to drive directly to the beach.

Some boaters may pass by the cove while exploring Aruba’s rugged southeast coast, but there’s no safe or practical reason to stop.

Distances to the Vader Piet area (not the beach itself):

• From Oranjestad cruise port: ~32 km (20 miles), 35–40 minutes by car
• From Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA): ~25 km (15 miles), ~30 minutes by car
• From Palm and Eagle Beach: ~38 km (25 miles), ~40 minutes by car

Gordo’s Beach is one of Aruba’s inaccessible and least rewarding coves. While it shows up on Google Maps, the beach lies within military territory near the Vader Piet wind farm and cannot be visited without permission. There are no facilities, no snorkeling, and nothing to justify the effort of getting close.