●○○○#4 of 39 things to do in Noord

Philip's Animal Garden

Name: Philip's Animal Garden
Rating: 4.6

★★★★½4.6 out of 5 · 1,277 reviews

cultural

outdoor

Photo: © mitsugirly via TripAdvisor

Philip's Animal Garden is a cultural tour in Aruba rated 4.6/5 by 1,277 TripAdvisor reviewers; from about $15 per person; lasts 2 hours.

About

Philip's Animal Garden sits inland in Noord, a few minutes from the northern hotel strip. It's a family-run rescue and rehab center that lets you get unusually close to the animals — emus, monkeys, parrots, tortoises, and a rotating cast of whatever they've taken in. The owner usually walks you through himself, which keeps it personal and a little chaotic in the best way. The #4 ranking among Noord attractions reflects what people actually say: it's small, it's informal, and the animals aren't just on display. You can feed most of them, and the stories behind the rescues add context you don't get at a zoo. It won't take all day — an hour is typical — but it's a solid break from the beach if you've got kids or just want something different. Cash is easiest for the entry fee. Closed shoes help.

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At a glance

Category: cultural
Duration: 2 hours
Price: $15
Minimum age: None
Intensity: ●○○○○
Setting: outdoor
Booking partner: direct
Product ID: —

Photos

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Visiting in October?

You're visiting during shoulder season when crowds are moderate and construction is common at several resorts. Weather is warm and humid, with occasional rain showers, but beaches remain beautiful. October sees returning visitors enjoying quieter beaches and Eagle Beach's exceptional calm waters.

Based on 150 traveler reports

Recent Pulse

What travelers are saying.

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Travelers say Philip's Animal Garden is a rescue operation, not a traditional zoo, where you support rehabilitated animals from failed Caribbean facilities and unwanted exotic pets. Your $10 donation includes carrots to feed horses, emus, wallabies, monkeys, and goats during a 60–90 minute visit. The mission context matters: reviewers who understood the rescue model had positive experiences, while one visitor expecting a conventional zoo left disappointed by what they perceived as neglect.

Standing out

Hands-on feeding of diverse rescue species including albino wallabies and miniature horses
4 mentions
“You get carrots with admission and nearly every four-legged animal will come looking for them”
Entry donation ($10) directly funds care for animals rescued from failing South American zoos
3 mentions
“The site also runs adventure tours and puts 30% of those proceeds toward animal upkeep”
Close proximity to Eagle Beach (5–6 miles) and other north-side attractions
2 mentions
“Easy to combine with Alto Vista chapel and the gold mine ruins on the same trip”

Watch-outs

Animal welfare concerns from visitors unaware of the rescue mission
1 mention
“One reviewer saw neglected animals and recommended closure before later revising their understanding”

Tips from travelers

Understand this is a rescue facility, not a polished zoo — adjust expectations accordingly
Watch your belongings around ostriches, who grab anything shiny
Pair your visit with the nearby donkey sanctuary and bring extra carrots from a grocery

Maybe skip if: Visitors expecting pristine zoo infrastructure or who prioritize professional signage and structured exhibits over a grassroots rescue mission should look elsewhere

More activities

Choose a Snorkel or Sunset Cruises aboard the Jolly Pirates.

OutdoorFrom $90© Management via TripAdvisor

Jolly Pirates Cruises

Jolly Pirates runs a four-hour catamaran cruise out of Hadicurari, the fishing pier on the northwest coast near the high-rise hotels. The boat is ranked #7 among Oranjestad water sports for a reason: multiple snorkel stops, rope swings off the stern, and a crew that keeps the vibe relaxed without being forced. You'll hit at least two reef sites, and the water is shallow enough that kids can snorkel comfortably—this is the lowest-intensity water activity in the category. Morning departures include a full meal; afternoon trips are drinks only, so check the schedule when you book. At $90, it's positioned between De Palm Tours' beach club package with slides and banana boats and the pricier land-based jeep safaris. If you want open water over a beach club, and sailing over driving through Arikok, this is the call. Book direct through their site. Cash tip for the crew is standard.

water

Palm Pleasure Sailing and Snorkeling trips

De Palm Tours

De Palm Tours runs a private beach club on the west coast near Oranjestad, and it's built around water activities — think slides, banana boats, snorkeling gear, and a roped-off swimming area. The #5 ranking among Oranjestad transportation reflects that this isn't just a shuttle service; most visitors book the half-day beach package that includes cabanas, towels, and food service. The back-to-back Travelers Choice awards suggest consistency, and the 4.8 rating across 26,000+ reviews backs that up. The setup skews family-friendly. Kids get underwater activities in shallow zones, parents get palapas with shade and beverage service. It's beach entertainment, not wilderness — no natural pools or cave hikes like the UTV tours that head into Arikok. Duration runs around four hours, which is enough for the slides and a meal without burning the whole day. Note that the flamingo interactions cost extra, and cabana rentals are mandatory with the package. If you want inland exploration, this isn't it. If you want a contained beach day with activities included, it does the job.

water

Octopus Aruba. Genuine care & comfort and the highest quality service on Aruba. UNIQUE CATAMARAN EXPERIENCES. Sailing, Snorkeling, Sunset, Private Tours and Boat Rental

Octopus Sailing Charters

Octopus Sailing Charters runs three-hour trips off the Palm-Eagle Beach coast, and the 4.7 rating across thousands of reviews suggests they keep things consistent. The Travelers Choice award backs that up. It's a mid-intensity outing — you're on a catamaran, not in a kayak — so it works for most ages and fitness levels. The boat makes stops for snorkeling and usually swings by a shipwreck or two depending on conditions. Crew handles the sailing; you handle the sunscreen. The $75 price point sits in the middle of the water sports market here, which tracks for a half-day charter with gear included. Groups tend to be mixed, so expect other travelers. Book directly through their site. Morning departures are cooler and the water's usually calmer before noon, though afternoon light is better for photos if that matters to you.

water

Torn between this and somewhere else? Settle it →

Pairs well with

Around Aruba Tours

Around Aruba Tours runs UTV excursions out of Noord, and the #1 ranking among outdoor activities in the area reflects thousands of trips without drama. This is a four-hour route through Arikok and the natural sites on the east side—caves, the Natural Bridge ruins, Alto Vista Chapel—straightforward land touring without the add-ons some operators bundle in. The price sits at $100, which puts it between the budget half-day trips and the seven-hour safaris that include natural pool swims and cruise port coordination. What you're paying for is reliable organization and the UTV format itself, which handles the dirt roads better than most rental cars and feels more hands-on than riding in a van. The 4.9 rating across 7,600-plus reviews suggests the operation runs consistently. If you want the longer day with natural pool access, ABC Tours offers that at a higher tier. If you just want the backcountry without committing to a full-day schedule, this is the middle option that works.

Jolly Pirates Cruises

Octopus Sailing Charters

Source: TripAdvisor · view on TripAdvisor →

Photos by individual contributors as credited above.

Review summaries are AI-paraphrased from public traveler reviews.