Around Aruba Tours · Alto Vista 116, Noord
Around Aruba Tours packs the Natural Pool and a long list of north coast stops into four and a half hours: the gold mill ruins, Alto Vista Chapel, the Natural Bridge site, Andicuri Beach and an animal sanctuary. Pick it if you want the pool and the island's wild coastline in one morning.
Around Aruba Tours is a Noord operator that runs jeep safaris, UTV trips and boat charters. Its listed address, Alto Vista 116, is the same as Philip's Animal Garden, the non-profit animal rescue that is also the last stop on this route. The trucks are off-road pickups with a canopy over a bench bed, so you ride in the open back while the guide drives from the cab.
The itinerary is the busiest of any half-day tour. Arikok and the Natural Pool get 30 minutes each, then it is up the north coast: the Natural Bridge site (the arch collapsed in September 2005), Wariruri Beach, the Bushiribana gold mill ruins from 1872, Alto Vista Chapel, the Tripod Bridge, Andicuri Beach and a quick stop downtown. Shark Bay, Blackstone Beach and the Ayo rocks are drive-pasts. The tour's name promises the lighthouse, which the stop list doesn't show, though guests do mention it.
The price is $122 with park admission marked included, plus water and a bandana for the dust. Guests report soda and tea on board too, and you can add your own drinks to the cooler. Two caveats. From the bench in the back you can't hear the guide while moving, so the stories come at the stops. And on a windy day the pool may be closed for swimming: one May guest missed the swim because of high waves.
The truck collects you; the base is in Noord, near Alto Vista.
Park tracks, then the pool if the sea allows a swim.
The fallen arch's site and the small Baby Bridge, then a north coast beach stop.
The 1872 gold mill ruins on the coast and the chapel on the hill above Noord.
A sandy cove on the wild coast and a short stop at the bridge.
Feeding time at the animal rescue, then the drop-off.
★★★★★It is quite bumpy but that was also part of the fun. At the animal sanctuary we got to feed the animals and also enjoy a delicious local snack of empanadas and crokets (sp?). The lighthouse was amazing and got to see the whole side of the island.
★★★★★Water shoes are a must, they will work great at all locations. Ride is very bumpy and bouncy, not recommended for those with back issues or mobility issues. They provide water soda and tea, bring your own beverages to add to cooler if you would like alcohol beverages.
★★★★★We was able to see a lot of different parts of Aruba and learned so much !! Wasn’t able to swim in the natural pool because of the high waves and currents but everything else was perfect !!
★★★★★He took us all over the island we saw caves, water, a lighthouse, the natural bridge, fed animals, and even got to do some pretty crazy off-roading which made it so much fun. [...]
Read next:
The itinerary marks admission to Arikok and the Natural Pool as included. Confirm with Around Aruba Tours when you book if you want it in writing.
The tour's name says so and guests mention it, but the published stop list doesn't include it. Ask the operator if the lighthouse matters to you.
An off-road pickup with a canopy over a bench bed. You ride in the back, open to the air, and the guide drives.
Up to 56 travellers, according to the listing, though small turnouts happen: one couple had a guide to themselves when the others didn't show.
Ready to book
The Natural Pool plus the wild north coast: Bushiribana, Alto Vista and the Natural Bridge site.
Island Jeep Safari with Natural Pool & LunchThe whole island in a day: Natural Pool, Baby Beach, caves, north coast and lighthouse, with a BBQ lunch. Park fee extra.★ 5.0 · 8 hours · from $139
De Palm Off-Road Safari to the Natural PoolYellow Land Rovers from your hotel to the Natural Pool, the Natural Bridge site and the lighthouse. Pool admission included.★ 4.9 · 4.5 hours · from $108
Private Open-Air Jeep Tour, 3 to 8 HoursYour own truck and guide for 3 to 8 hours, with the stops you choose. The per-person price drops for bigger groups.★ 4.9 · 3 to 8 hours · from $212