California Dunes
California Dunes
4
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Large rolling sand dunes located along the isolated northwestern tip of Aruba, which create spectacular scenery and a chance to explore by four-wheel drive.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
100 reviews
Excellent
44
Very good
38
Average
17
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Tod Mell
Schenectady, NY66 contributions
Apr 2019 • Family
We didn't have a 4x4, so we just pulled over with our rental car to walk the dunes. We first visited the California Lighthouse and then pulled over on the side of the road at the bottom of the hill near the dunes. We walked and took some great pictures. The sand felt great and our boys enjoyed the feeling of being on a new adventure!
Written April 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas Berta
Charleston, SC59 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
On your travels on the windward side after leaving the California Lighthouse this is a good place to stop and enjot the view. The wild of the ocean hitting the shore is awesome.
Written March 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anuphi
London, UK102 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
we came here by the public transport. It is very hot so make sure you cover your skin and don't burn yourself. it is beautiful location with not many tourists around
Written January 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve5863
Avon, OH12,812 contributions
Dec 2017 • Family
When the paved road in the northwest part of the island runs out at the California Lighthouse, the unnamed dirt road that runs along Aruba’s rugged north cost begins here at the scenic California Dunes. While the dunes here are not the high, lofty dunes one may have in mind after visiting dune fields in Death Valley, Sleeping Bear or the Great Sand Dunes, this is an extensive rolling dune field which serves as a scenic foreground to the lighthouse in one direction and the beach in the other.
We enjoyed wandering the dune field, exploring the rugged beach as it alternates randomly between spots of sand, coral rock, jagged limestone and volcanic rock as violent waves driven by the constant trade winds crash ashore.
While it is certainly possible to reach the California Dunes with an ordinary car with care, and perhaps further, if you wish to explore the north coast by the dirt road with some confidence and without the need to proceed very slowly and carefully, one should consider renting an ATV, UTV or 4x4 for the day with daily rates that are quite reasonable and most agencies offering drop-off and pick-up at your hotel included. Given Aruba’s heat and the dust kicked-up by vehicles then driven by the wind, an enclosed, air conditioned Jeep 4x4 proved to be an excellent choice. Another option if you want someone else to do the navigation and/or driving is to take one of the many guided tours.
We enjoyed wandering the dune field, exploring the rugged beach as it alternates randomly between spots of sand, coral rock, jagged limestone and volcanic rock as violent waves driven by the constant trade winds crash ashore.
While it is certainly possible to reach the California Dunes with an ordinary car with care, and perhaps further, if you wish to explore the north coast by the dirt road with some confidence and without the need to proceed very slowly and carefully, one should consider renting an ATV, UTV or 4x4 for the day with daily rates that are quite reasonable and most agencies offering drop-off and pick-up at your hotel included. Given Aruba’s heat and the dust kicked-up by vehicles then driven by the wind, an enclosed, air conditioned Jeep 4x4 proved to be an excellent choice. Another option if you want someone else to do the navigation and/or driving is to take one of the many guided tours.
Written February 8, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kimberly B
Grove City, OH7,475 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
After visiting the California Lighthouse, we decided to head over to Dunes Beach. It's not really a "beach" that you can swim at, but you get a chance to see the other side of the island and how different it is. This side has a lot of rock, sand dunes, and a very angry wave! lol It was fun to watch the waves crash onto the rocks and it was very neat to see all the coral rocks lining the area....hundreds...thousands....very pretty. The "road" to get there is very bumpy. If you have a car, you will have to go very slow.
Written August 15, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
85JulieG62
Carsonville, MI28 contributions
Apr 2017 • Friends
We decided to take our rental car to the side of the island that we had not yet visited and this was it. So interesting to see.
Written April 21, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BRIAN B
Fresh Meadows, NY166 contributions
Jan 2017 • Couples
This part of the island is totally different from the landscape anywhere else on this "sandy dot in the middle of the Caribbean Sea". The land is like that of an alien environment, and the sea is just plain wild! A mixture of foreboding and exhilarating under the intense rays of the Aruban Sun. Wear sturdy shoes!
Written March 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DKISS76
Montgomery, TX645 contributions
Dec 2016 • Family
We stumbled upon the dunes while visiting the lighthouse and had the best day driving ourselves down the sand paths. We meandered for hours, stopping at the beaches, hiking up the mountains, and taking it'll in. It's a great way to spend the day. Get a map and a car and go explore!
Written December 26, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carthage D
Martin, TN1,022 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
Great place to explore and very secluded. We parked just off the light house road and explored for hours all along the northern point of the island. The surf was rough and made for great pictures. We did not see another soul the entire time. It was great. Fantastic place to catch the sunset!
Written December 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
StacyandRandy
Guilford, ME179 contributions
Jun 2019
We drove to the California Lighthouse with all the cruise buses and turned off to the California Dunes for a short walk. We went down to the waters edge and was surprised how violent the surf is.
Written August 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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