Noord#6 of 19 things to do in Palm - Eagle Beach

Malmok Beach

★★★★½4.5 out of 5 · 825 reviews

Great swim

Snorkeling

Photo: © mitsugirly via TripAdvisor

Malmok Beach is a beach in Noord, Aruba, rated 4.5/5 by 825 TripAdvisor reviewers; swimming excellent; snorkeling excellent; usually quiet; no facilities.

Swimmable

Calm west-coast water with rocky entry; protected from surf, suitable for snorkeling with proper footwear.

Sargassum: rarely

Leeward north-west coast outside the main sargassum belt; rarely affected even during Caribbean summer season.

About

Malmok Beach sits on the northern tip of the island past the high-rise strip, and most people drive right by it on the way to the California Lighthouse. The #6 ranking among Palm-Eagle Beach attractions comes entirely from what's underwater — this is a snorkeling beach, not a lounging beach. The rocky shelf drops into calm water where several small wrecks sit close to shore, and the fish density is noticeably higher than anything you'll see off Eagle or Palm Beach. The entry requires water shoes; the sand quality doesn't compete with Eagle Beach a few miles south. There are no chair rentals, no shade structures, no beach bar. You park on the shoulder, walk over the rocks, and swim out. If you're renting a car and you care more about seeing parrotfish and sergeant majors than having a perfect sand day, Malmok delivers something the resort beaches can't. Baby Beach on the southern end offers easier wading and comparable marine life if the rocky bottom here is a problem.

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Snorkeling in Aruba: compare the 5 ways to do it

At a glance

Area: Noord
Swimming quality: ●●●●○
Snorkeling: ●●●●●
Crowd level: fewer▮▮▯▯▯more
Facilities: –
Shade: –
Family friendly: –

How to decide

✓You want accessible shipwreck snorkeling with abundant fish and calm currents unavailable at Eagle Beach or Palm Beach
✓You're exploring by rental car and prefer underwater exploration over beach lounging amenities
✓You prioritize marine life viewing over sand quality or social atmosphere

Rocky bottom entry bothers you — Baby Beach offers easier wading for families with young children
You want better sand conditions — Arashi Beach and Eagle Beach provide superior sand quality
You need beach facilities or shade rentals — Palm Beach offers equipment and service options

Malmok Beach delivers a unique shipwreck snorkeling experience with abundant marine life that Eagle Beach and Palm Beach cannot match, though you'll need water shoes for the rocky entry. Baby Beach offers comparable snorkeling with sea turtles in easier wading conditions, while Arashi Beach provides better sand quality if you're driving north.

Make a day of it

Tours & things to do nearby

Jolly Pirates Cruises

From $108 per person

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.

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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.

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Delphi Watersports

From $69 per person

Delphi Watersports runs out of the Hyatt Regency beach on Palm Beach, and it's been doing it long enough to land at #7 among water sports operators in Noord—plus a 2025 Travelers Choice award. The 4.7 rating across 3,200 reviews suggests they get the logistics right, which matters when you're dealing with boats and gear and group timing. They offer two-hour trips that lean moderately active—think snorkeling, tubing, or a mix depending on what you book. It's a straightforward setup: walk down to the towel hut, check in, and you're on the water. Pricing sits around $75, which is middle-of-the-pack for Palm Beach excursions. Book direct through them if you can; it usually saves a step and sometimes a fee. They're used to handling families and mixed groups, so the intensity stays manageable even if you're not a strong swimmer.

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Photos

Individual Rentals E BIKE ARUBA Hours are from 9 Am to 5 Pm.

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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

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Other beaches

NoordSwimmable© rmiamoto via TripAdvisor

Arashi Beach

Arashi Beach sits at the northwestern tip of the island, just past the high-rise strip, and it's the #1 thing to do in Arashi for a reason: the sand itself. It's soft, white, and better than what you'll find at Palm Beach or Eagle Beach if you're staying in the Noord area and don't want to drive south. The 4.5 rating across 3,000-plus reviews holds up, and it's earned back-to-back Travelers Choice awards. The trade-off is infrastructure — there's none. No shade, no facilities, no food stands. It's a bring-your-own-everything setup. Swimming and snorkeling are fine but not standout; if you want sea turtles or a shipwreck, head to Baby Beach or Malmok instead. Arashi is about the sand and the convenience if you're already on the north end of the island. Pack water, bring an umbrella, and expect straightforward beach conditions without the fuss.

Palm BeachSwimmable© 751morganb via TripAdvisor

Palm Beach

Palm Beach runs along the high-rise hotel strip on the northwest coast, and the location is the whole selling point. You're steps from restaurants, bars, and nightlife — Bugaloé Pier alone has rentals, food, and drinks without leaving the sand. The beach ranks #7 among Palm–Eagle Beach attractions and pulls a Travelers Choice Best of the Best nod, so the crowds show up. That means limited towel space and a lively atmosphere that skews resort-entertainment rather than quiet escape. The tradeoff: water quality takes a hit from watersport boat traffic. Reviewers flag visible fuel and oil in the shallows, and the ocean floor can look murky. If snorkeling or pristine swimming matters, Baby Beach or Eagle Beach will serve you better. Palm Beach makes sense if you want convenience — walk off the sand to dinner, catch July 4th fireworks from the high-rises, or grab a cocktail without moving your car. The wind stays calmer here than on other parts of the island, which helps for floating but doesn't fix the boat residue.

Hadicurari Beach

Hadicurari sits between Palm Beach and Malmok on the northwest coast, where the hotel strip gives way to open sand and steady wind. Locals call it Fisherman's Huts — the low-rise pier and a handful of shacks are still here, though these days they mostly serve the windsurfers and kitesurfers who show up for the reliable cross-shore breeze. The #9 ranking in Noord reflects what it does well: space, fewer crowds than the high-rise beaches a quarter-mile south, and conditions that work whether you're on a board or just wading. The 4.3 rating holds across 68 reviews, which is decent for a beach that doesn't try to be everything. If you're not into wind sports, Hadicurari still works as a walk-and-watch spot — the kites are up most afternoons, and the water stays shallow for a long stretch. Parking is informal. Shade is limited. It's quieter than Palm Beach, busier than the wild northeastern coast.

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Eat near this beach

Palm Beach

Gianni's Ristorante Italiano

Gianni's sits on the hotel strip in Palm Beach, an upscale Italian spot serving Neapolitan and Sicilian dishes. The #22 ranking among 155 Palm Beach restaurants puts it solidly mid-pack, and the ratings reflect that: 4.4 for food, 4.5 for atmosphere, 4.0 for value. It's a convenient walk from the high-rise hotels, takes reservations, and handles families without fuss. The upside is accessibility — if you're staying on Palm Beach and want Italian without getting in a car, it's there. The trade-off is that you're paying upper-mid pricing for food that doesn't always land as authentic. The atmosphere scores higher than the cooking, which tells you something about the experience. If you're traveling with kids who eat pasta and you need outdoor seating near your hotel, it works. If you're chasing the best Italian on the island or want your money to stretch further, you'll find stronger options in Savaneta or Eagle Beach.

Palm Beach

Dushi Bagels and Burgers

Dushi Bagels and Burgers sits just off the beach at the Playa Linda Resort in Palm Beach, and the 4.6 rating across more than four thousand reviews isn't a fluke. This is the place that figured out how to do American breakfast and lunch basics right—bagels, burgers, grill staples—without overcomplicating things or overcharging. The atmosphere score is the highest of the bunch, which makes sense when you're eating pancakes ten feet from the sand. The #10 ranking among 155 restaurants in the Palm-Eagle Beach strip says it holds its own against a lot of fancier rooms. Service and value ratings match the food score straight across, so what you see is what you get. It's casual, it's kid-friendly, and it moves. If you're staying nearby and need a solid breakfast that isn't a buffet or a burger that isn't from a chain, this works.

Palm Beach

Azia Restaurant & Lounge

Azia sits on J.E. Irausquin Boulevard in Palm Beach, across from the Hilton, and it's been holding the #12 spot among 155 restaurants in the area with nearly 3,000 reviews. The menu runs Asian fusion and sushi, executed at an upscale level without tipping into formal—atmosphere scores a 4.8, which tracks with the lounge setup. Food and service both land at 4.7, so the kitchen and floor staff are moving in step. The price tier falls at mid-to-upper range, and the value subrating of 4.5 suggests people think it's fair for what you get. It's also kid-friendly, which isn't always a given at this caliber in Palm Beach. Reservations aren't required, but with numbers like these, calling ahead on a high-season weekend would be the smarter play.

Stay near this beach

Palm Beach

Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino

The Aruba Marriott sits on L.G. Smith Boulevard in Palm Beach, right where the high-rise strip meets the sand. It's a full-scale resort with a casino attached, so expect crowds, especially around the pool and lobby bars. The 4.7 cleanliness rating and 4.6 service score suggest the operation runs tight despite the size, and sleep quality holds at 4.5, which matters when you're paying top-tier rates. It ranks #20 out of 26 hotels in the Palm-Eagle Beach zone, so it's middle-of-the-pack for the area — the location and service scores pull it up, the value rating at 4.2 reflects what you're spending. If you want the Marriott reliability and don't mind resort-scale energy, it works. The beach access is the real asset here; Palm Beach is wide and swimmable, and you're walking distance to most of the strip's restaurants and bars.

Palm Beach

Barcelo Aruba - All Inclusive

Barceló Aruba sits on Palm Beach, the high-rise hotel strip on the northwest coast, and it's fully all-inclusive — drinks, meals, non-motorized watersports, the works. The 4.7 location score tells you what you're paying for: direct beach access and walking distance to the casinos, shops, and other resorts that make Palm Beach the busiest stretch of sand on the island. It ranks #5 among Noord hotels with over 12,000 reviews, so you're looking at volume and consistency more than boutique charm. Service and cleanliness both land above 4.3, which matters when you're dealing with buffet lines and pool crowds. Sleep quality and rooms sit at 4.2 and 4.1 — solid but not exceptional. The value subrating is the lowest at 3.9, which tracks for a top-tier all-inclusive on prime real estate. If you want to park yourself on Palm Beach and not think about meal planning or bar tabs, this does the job. Just know you're trading some refinement for convenience and location.

Source: TripAdvisor · view on TripAdvisor →

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Review summaries are AI-paraphrased from public traveler reviews.

Malmok Beach