UTV Adventure Through Aruba: Rain, Ruins, and a Surprise Sunset

When our cruise ship docked at the port in Oranjestad, Aruba, I didn’t have high hopes for the day ahead. The sky was heavy with clouds and a light but persistent rain was already falling. Not exactly ideal weather for exploring the island in an open-air UTV. These rugged Utility Task Vehicles didn’t have windshields or wipers, just a roof to take the edge off. I was with a small group of friends, and we were all soaked within minutes. Still, we were committed to the ride.

Our independent UTV tour began near the Oranjestad cruise port and quickly veered off the paved roads into Aruba’s wild and rocky landscape. First stop: Blackstone Beach, where we got our first real look at the island’s raw northern coast. The crashing waves and jagged black rocks surrounding the Tripod Bridge made the scene feel almost otherworldly, especially under the brooding sky.

From there, we followed narrow off-road trails through the rugged terrain, splashing through puddles and weaving between volcanic formations. Eventually we arrived at the Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins, a crumbling reminder of Aruba’s gold rush days. I had seen photos of it before, but standing among the weather-worn stones gave it a different kind of weight.

Just when we thought the rain would stick with us the whole way, the clouds started to break as we pulled up to the California Lighthouse. The timing couldn’t have been better. Sunshine started pouring through, lighting up the white tower against the now-blue sky. From the lookout, we had an incredible view over the western coast of Aruba.

We ended our ride at Arashi Beach, where the sun finally claimed the afternoon. It felt like a reward after the soggy start, a moment to dry off, soak in the views, and just breathe.

Aruba threw a little bit of everything at us that day, and honestly, I’m glad it did. The rain didn’t ruin the experience. If anything, it made it all the more memorable.