Aruba UTV Tour: Cave Pool, Natural Bridge & Gold Mill Ruins

Summary

Rugged coastlines, cave pools and gold mill ruins in Aruba

You’ll ride your own UTV across Aruba’s wild trails with a local guide leading you from rocky coastlines to hidden cave pools and historic gold mill ruins. Jump into cool water after dusty roads, see California Lighthouse views, and end swimming at Arashi Beach—with pickup included so you can just show up ready for adventure.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what Aruba smells like when you’re bouncing down a dusty trail at 9am? I didn’t, but there’s this dry, sun-baked scent that sticks to your skin after a few minutes in the UTV. Our guide—Carlos, who has this way of grinning even when he’s not talking—showed up right on time for pickup. He handed us bandanas (“trust me, you’ll want these”) and off we went. The first few turns were just me trying not to eat sand, but then the coastline opened up and I forgot about everything except how blue the water looked against all that rock.

The Natural Bridge stop was busier than I expected—families taking selfies, some guy selling coconut water out of a cooler. Carlos pointed out where the big bridge collapsed (he called it “Aruba’s heartbreak”) and then showed us the smaller one right beside it. There’s a bathroom here if you need it. After that we rattled over to the Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins. It’s weirdly beautiful—just these old stone walls with wind whistling through them and lizards darting everywhere. He told us about the gold rush days; I tried to picture it but mostly just felt the heat radiating from the rocks.

The cave pool was next—down a set of stairs slick with spray and laughter echoing off the walls. Some people jumped straight in (I hesitated; heights aren’t my thing), but even standing at the edge you could feel how cool the air was compared to outside. My friend dared me to jump so I did, sort of awkwardly, but hey—I did it. The water tasted faintly salty and left my skin tingling for hours after.

We ended up at California Lighthouse for this wide-open view—wind whipping my hair everywhere—and then Arashi Beach for a swim. By then I’d stopped caring about dust or messy hair or anything except how good it felt to float in clear water after all that noise and sun. On the drive back, Carlos told us stories about growing up on Aruba; honestly, that stuck with me more than any photo could.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Aruba UTV Adventure Tour Highlights

• Visit Natural Bridge viewpoint
• Bathroom break at Natural Bridge
• Explore Cave Pool and cliff jump
• Pass Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins
• See California Lighthouse views
• Swim at Arashi Beach

Top questions

How long is the Aruba UTV tour?

The half-day Aruba UTV tour lasts approximately 4-5 hours.

Is hotel pickup included for this UTV tour?

Yes, hotel or port pickup and drop-off are included in your booking.

What stops are included on the Aruba UTV adventure?

You’ll visit Natural Bridge, Cave Pool, Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins, California Lighthouse, and Arashi Beach.

Can kids join the Aruba UTV tour?

Children must be at least 8 years old to sit behind in a 4- or 5-seater; minimum age to sit in front is 12 years.

Do I need a driver’s license for this tour?

If you want to drive your own UTV on this day trip from Oranjestad or other areas in Aruba, you must be at least 18 years old with a valid driver’s license.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

No lunch is included; however, ice water refills are provided (bring your own canteen).

Are there health restrictions for this UTV adventure?

This tour isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel or port pickup and drop-off by an experienced local guide who leads throughout; ice water refills along the way (bring your own canteen), plus a complimentary bandana if touring after May 1st, 2025—all so you can focus on driving those rugged trails without worrying about logistics.