Private Aruba National Park Hiking & Natural Pool Swimming

Recommended by 100% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Aruba

Popular pick

Booked 5+ times last week!

4 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Group discounts
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

5.0

· Heather_N ·

Feb 2026

Howard was a fabulous tour guide! He was punctual, communicative, extremely knowledgeable of the island’s history and in navigating us to the natural pool at the pace we desired. He took photographs along the tour which captured the beauty of the island and will be great memories for us. He had water, snacks, sunscreen and snorkeling gear available. We Highly recommend taking his personal tour!

· Janette_C ·

Mar 2026

Howard is a fantastic tour guide! His tour is knowledgeable, and he provided a lot of information about the island, the people, and the history. He is so personable and very attentive to details of providing a great tour of Arikok Park! I would highly recommend Howard and his tour!

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Overview

What's Included

Snacks

Health bars
Bottled water
Use of Snorkeling equipment

Use of Snorkelling equipment

No Beach towel
No Sun block
Entry fee Per person to the park ($20 USD)

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

Please contact us via phone, WhatsApp, or email to confirm the meeting location for the day of the tour.

Meeting point

Bright Bakery
Piedra Plat 44, Paradera, Aruba
Bright Bakery is a bakery where you can get breakfast. You can get to Bright Bakery from route 4, which starts from the hotel area.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Operating hours
.8:00 am

Itinerary

Daimari Beach

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Boca Ketu

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Conchi Natural Pool

1 hour 45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Boca Ketu

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers

No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Janette_C

Reviews

5.0

based on 145 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Excellent, top-notch Arikok tour!

Janette_C, Mar 2026

An absolute must do!

Elana_S, Mar 2026

The tour was amazing! Howard was an absolute delight. This was an incredible experience that I would recommend for everyone. Howard is knowledgeable and clearly enjoys what he does. My daughter and I had a great time.

Hiking with Howie

Deborah_M, Mar 2026

Moderate hike to natural pool for snorkeling. Water was clear and refreshing. Saw beautiful fish. Howie was knowledgeable about the island and took photos of us along the way! Would recommend this tour!

Howard was an amazing...

Diane_C, Mar 2026

Howard was an amazing guide! He explained the history of the park and the area! He provided an understanding of the community and the food. He was thoughtful and shared his love of the island and our safety in nature!

Beautiful hike

John_T, Feb 2026

It was a beautiful hike. Howard is an excellent guide. The terrain is a little steep, so wear good shoes. Howard provides water and a banana.

A Great Island Experience

Kim_T, Feb 2026

We had a fantastic hike in the park with Howie as our tour guide. He is incredibly knowledgeable about Aruba and answered all of our questions thoroughly. Our conversation went far beyond what we saw on the trail. We also learned about the island’s government, culture, and history. Howie was personable, polite, and encouraged us to take our time exploring. We never felt rushed and truly appreciated the relaxed pace. I highly recommend this hike to anyone wanting to experience this beautiful country on a deeper, more meaningful level.

We had an enjoyable day...

Cheryl_H, Feb 2026

We had an enjoyable day hiking in the National Park with Howard. He made sure we had water and walked at a comfortable pace for everyone in our party. The water was rough at the pools so only 2 of us got in. The other tour groups were not allowed to do this as the national park person knew that Howard would make sure we were safe. We got to see a heard of wild goats and some endangered owls. He even took us to the grocery store for some beer to take to the beach, which he dropped us off at and we took a taxi back to . Overall a great experience

Best Tour Guide in Aruba!

Dominick_D, Feb 2026

I can’t say enough great things about this hiking experience inside Arikok National Park. The views were absolutely amazing, and Howie was incredibly knowledgeable about the local history, explaining everything we were seeing along the way. Throughout the hike, it truly felt like we were getting a premium experience compared to the large group tours. Having the hike be private with just my girlfriend and me made it even more special. Howie even brought his camera and took great photos, which was an awesome bonus. We also stopped at the natural pool, which was a lot of fun. We got to snorkel and feed some of the fish that call the pool home. From pickup to drop-off, Howie’s knowledge and kindness made the entire experience smooth, personal, and extremely memorable. When we return to Aruba, we will absolutely be booking with Howie again to show us even more of the incredible sights the island has to offer.

Howard was a fabulous...

Heather_N, Feb 2026

Best Aruba Hike

Jean_L, Feb 2026

Uncle Howie felt like family! He shared his love and knowledge of hiking in Aruba, flora, fauna, history, animals, geography and Arubian culture and family life. We visited 2 beaches not accessible by vehicle- very cool. Hiked sand dunes and hillsides. The third beach has a natural tidal pool for swimming and snorkeling. Howie provided snorkeling 🤿 and snacks and water. He takes professional photos of our adventure and shares them with you later. He paced the hike comfortably for these older folks- much appreciated! Don’t hesitate to book with Uncle Howie. Did I mention it was private? Just 2 of us for $80 each. Did I mention I saw rainbow fish while snorkeling? Yup. The best day. Thank you Uncle Howie! Will be hiking with you again!

Fantastic and recommended

Rick_A, Feb 2026

The tour was fantastic and could not be more pleased with our guide Howie, very personable and informative. Highly recommend this tour. We met at a breakfast place and rode with him in his vehicle to the park entrance. The hike to Conchi I think about an hour. Pretty easy hike, but rocky and some steep parts along with sand. Beautiful hiking. We met at 7:30am and were at Conchi around 9am. The pool was empty but only for about 10 minutes before the jeep tours folks starting coming in. It's a neat pool, a bit smaller than I expected. Howie brought nice quality snorkel equipment, bread to feed the fish to bring them to us, fruit and water. He also deliberately took pictures along the way and sent them to us.

Uncle Howie is the best!

Erin_M, Jan 2026

Uncle Howie is the best. This is a nice private hike and allows you to see some things you would probably not see on your own. He makes sure you are safe and having a good experience. It gives you a chance to talk with a local while seeing some great scenery. Not to mention, he is also a great photographer and will get you some wonderful pictures for memories to keep. This was awesome! I will likely do this again on my next trip to Aruba.

Uncle Howie and the best day on the island

Tawnya_L, Jan 2026

The day was amazing. Howie was so kind and made sure we were always comfortable and got to stop and see what we wanted to see. The natural pool was so peaceful. We had it lol to ourselves for about 30 mins before anyone else was there. He took pictures of us along the way. This so a must do and he is your guy. I gave 5 stars wish I could have given 10

Unforgettable Hiking Adventure in Aruba

Jacqueline_M, Jan 2026

What an incredible adventure with Uncle Howie’s Hiking Tour. This was a demanding hike, but absolutely worth it for the scenery, nature, and everything we experienced along the way. As experienced hikers in our 60s, we felt completely respected from start to finish—never rushed, never talked down to, just genuinely welcomed. We saw so much wildlife and learned a ton along the way. One real highlight was spotting the Shoco (Athene cunicularia arubensis), Aruba’s national bird, an endangered, endemic burrowing owl that’s threatened by habitat loss. We also learned about the leatherback sea turtle nesting sites and how they’re now protected, the invasive boa constrictor, and so much more about the island’s flora, fauna, and ecosystems. The Natural Pool was stunning, though the tides were very high that day so swimming wasn’t allowed. Even so, the tour was perfect—and to make sure we still had an unforgettable day, Howie surprised us by taking us to Hooiberg Mountain. We climbed the famous 500+ steps (around 587!) and were rewarded with amazing panoramic views of the island. Howie also took professional-quality photos of us throughout our 4-hour trek and shared them with us afterward—for free, which was such a thoughtful touch. And just when we thought the day couldn’t get better, he made a stop at a local Aruban bakery before dropping us off at our hotel. BRAVO!! I could honestly go on and on. Howie is an amazing, kind, knowledgeable field guide who truly loves what he does—and it shows. This was hands-down one of the best experiences we had in Aruba.

Customized Experience!

Heidi_R, Jan 2026

Howie recommended we start our hike a little earlier than scheduled to catch the sunrise and avoid the crowds and he was right! We got to see beautiful scenery before it got too hot and we were the first ones at the Conchi natural pool. Since it was just us on the tour, Howie stopped at Bright's Bakery and introduced us to some local pastries. Great excursion!

Incredible experience + surprise engagement

Sanjna_T, Jan 2026

Uncle Howie is the absolute best! Not only is this tour the best way to see the national park (you walk through such different landscapes in a short amount of time) and he provides you with knowledge on all the history, but he went and above and beyond as my boyfriend was planning a surprise proposal!! Uncle Howie asked all the tour guides to keep people out of the cave for a few mins when my bf was going to propose (which he was not asked to do), and was so thoughtful in bringing a camera, and making sure I did not suspect a thing. The cave was not even part of the original itinerary and he went out of his way for an extra hour and a half to make it happen. This was all done out of the goodness of his heart. He is truly a gem and this hiking tour is a must do!!

10 out of 10 recommend views are breathtaking

Kim_L, Dec 2025

Uncle Howie’s hiking adventure was more than what I expected. Breathtaking views, at our own pace, a local point of view. Beyond satisfied with this excursion. 10 out of 10 recommend

Best tour in Aruba

Meredith_O, Dec 2025

We had an incredible experience with Uncle Howie! We inquired about the large mountain and Howie shared that he usually does not do the Hooiberg Hill. This is a hike up stairs (about 575). I glad he made the exception as it was well worth it(in place of the cove swim) The views were unforgettable. We then went to the Arikok National park. It was like going back in time to see and experience the awesome beauty of the National Park. Howie shared so much about the Island and park.. This tour was worth every penny! Make sure to book with Uncle Howie!!

Worthwhile excursion!

Linda_M, Dec 2025

Great hike in national park with Uncle Howie who is a native and gives you great historic background on Aruba and the park. The snorkeling was great at tge water hole.

Uncle Howie!

Ed_H, Dec 2025

The park is best experienced on foot and my new favorite uncle is terrific. We learned about Aruban history, flora, fauna, and merry weather. If you can cover 5k you’re good to go. BTW, don’t try that road in a rental car! Rugged trip to the trail head. Also, without an experienced guide we might still be wandering around. Go with Howie. He’s great.

Aruba Thanksgiving 2025

justin_c, Nov 2025

Our tour guide was amazing, friendly, and knowledgeable of the park. He followed our pace and let us stay in the natural pool for as long as we wanted. Was flexible and adjusted to our traveling arrangements. Highly recommend setting up a tour of the national park with him

Fantastic Hike to the Natural Pool with Howard!

Amanda_R, Nov 2025

I had an incredible experience on the hike to the natural pool in Arikok National Park. Our guide, Howard, was fantastic from start to finish—knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely passionate about the park and its history. He made the hike both fun and informative, pointing out wildlife, unique plants, and sharing stories along the way. The trail itself was beautiful, and the natural pool was absolutely worth the trek. Howard made sure everyone felt safe and comfortable, especially during the rockier parts of the hike and while swimming in the pool. Overall, an unforgettable adventure. Highly recommend this tour!

Great Experience!

Laurie_B, Nov 2025

I am so happy we chose this experience! Howard was friendly, knowledgeable about Aruba (flora/fauna/history), flexible with our starting time, thoughtful, and on time to meet us. He made us feel very comfortable, safe, and well-taken care of while still having an adventure. It was a GREAT way to visit the pools! FYI, we had originally been thinking about going on our own, but it was such a good choice to go with Howie instead. It turned out to be a very windy day and I’m not sure we would have made it all the way there if we had not been with him. Also, once we were at the pools, it would not have been safe to go in if he were not with us. We loved getting there early, before the groups on jeep tours - and most of them were turning around anyway because of the weather. It was definitely a highlight of our trip. If you’re thinking of doing this, we highly recommend you do!

The National Park Tour

Ivy_J, Oct 2025

The tour of the national park was amazing . My husband and I went and we both loved it . You don’t have to be a professional hiker to do it . Dress accordingly, we both wore sneakers and loose fit clothing . We met Howard our personal tour guide at the meeting point , which was a bakery that offered breakfast and other baked goods . Howard was phenomenal. He made you feel welcomed. He took his time and explained things that you’ll see during the tour . He’s very knowledgeable and knows the park like the back of his hand . He offered a light snack as well and waters . I would definitely recommend this tour. You get to see a lot of the natural habitat of Aruba and hear some great stories . Howard also took professional pictures with his personal camera of my husband and I along the way free of charge .Amazing experience Howard goes above and beyond

Amazing experience!!!!

Bailey_H, Oct 2025

We booked this private hiking tour with Uncle Howie (Howard) through Viator, and I am SO glad we did. From the moment he picked us up, he went above and beyond to make the experience unforgettable. He suggested we leave early to beat the crowds, and it was absolutely the right call. On the drive to the trailhead, he spotted cactus fruit blooming and actually stopped so we could pick and taste it fresh—before the lizards got to it! Once we started the hike to the natural pool, the surprises kept coming. Howard brought his professional camera and took amazing photos of us along the way. When we reached the pool, we were the only ones there. He guided us in, stayed with us the whole time, and continued taking photos and videos—including climbing up on rocks to get the best angles of us jumping in. It felt like having a tour guide, photographer, and local friend all in one. On the way back, he had snacks and drinks ready for us—and we’re vegan, so he made sure to bring vegan granola bars and fruit. That level of thoughtfulness meant a lot. This hike was 1000% worth it. We actually considered booking it again during our trip because we loved it so much and genuinely enjoyed spending the day with Howard. It ended up being our favorite experience in Aruba, hands down.

This was an awesome...

theresa_p, Oct 2025

This was an awesome experience!. Howie was the best tour guide ever. I highly recommend this tour!!!

Fantastic! Howard the Great!!

Laura_H, Oct 2025

This was such a cool way to experience the national park. Howard is really knowledgeable about everything on the island and so warm and accommodating. So much better than just rolling up in a tour bus. We had a great time and would definitely do it again!! Make sure you get there early! :)

Amazing tour!

Dawn_D, Oct 2025

I had an amazing experience with Uncle Howard as my tour ambassador to Aruba! He really made the island come alive with his knowledge of history, park features , and a sharing of insiders tips to make my time on One Happy Island unforgettable. If you had to pick one hiking tour, this would be the one to choose during your stay.

Awesome morning hike! The...

Joshwayne_M, Sep 2025

Awesome morning hike! The views are beautiful without the sun being too hot. Howie the tour guide goes above and beyond to make it an awesome experience. Not only does he share information of the island/trail while hiking but he also offers refreshments to cool you off and knows all the perfect picturesque sights! Definitely a worthwhile experience as you get to see the desert side of the island and have a good time on an easy trail to start your day.

National Geographic in real life

Melody_G, Sep 2025

Without giving too much away, I just want to share the highlights of our time with Howie. The communication was extremely clear— he even texted us what he was wearing so we could easily spot him when we got off of our cruise ship. On the way to the park, we were bonding about how we volunteer at our local firehouse and how he’s a firefighter on the island of Aruba. We were barely in the park when I saw something I saw on BBC’s Wild Caribbean prior to the trip: two lizards fighting over a fruit in a cactus. Without saying anything about it, Howie was also equally excited and even picked us a fruit to try! (melocactus, i believe). He pointed out all of the animals and plants as we made our drive to our parking spot. The hike was gorgeous; definitely a moderate level hike for myself but easy for my husband who is far more active than I am, but not hard at all. However, Howie made sure we were comfortable the entire time, asking if we needed a break, water, or a snack. When we got to the pool, he saw his friends who were also local tour guides, providing tours for larger groups. They all greeted us and thanked us for visiting their island, which made us honestly feel super special lol. We had at least 30 minutes of private time to ourselves in the pool since the other tour groups only stayed for a short amount of time (which was fun because Howie helped me up to jump off the cliff lol). The snorkeling there is also incredible— I forgot my gear but Howie had snorkel gear ready for us anyway! Whenever I told him what fish I saw, he knew exactly what fish it was and gave descriptions of them to me. In fact, every animal we saw on our hike, he told us a fun fact about them and the local name of them! The biggest surprise for us was the fact that he brought his professional camera with him and compiled a beautiful album for us that he sent us the link for the same night. Also, without giving the big surprise away… if it looks like he’s taking you to a Pizza Hut, he isn’t lol. He’s bringing you to get one of his favorite snacks :). We enjoyed our time with Howie. We laughed a lot with him. Truly a gem of an experience here on Viator. Howie, if you ever want to hike here in upstate NY, we’ll be YOUR guide.