Rum Reef Aruba: Infinity Pool Bar Above Baby Beach

Here is the move most people miss: Rum Reef is not just a bar, it is an infinity pool hanging over Baby Beach. Order at the bar, then take the water. On a good day you can look down and spot turtles cruising the shallows below. It is the whole reason to make the drive south to San Nicolas.

Rum Reef Cocktail Bar & Grill: Baby Beach's Infinity Pool Hangout

Rum Reef sits all the way down in San Nicolas, right off Baby Beach at Aruba's southern tip, and it is one of our personal favorites on the island. The draw is simple and a little bit magic. It is a cocktail bar and grill with an infinity pool that hangs right over Baby Beach, so you can swim, sip, and take in the view all in one spot. One afternoon we were in the pool and could look down and see turtles swimming in the shallows below. That is a normal day here.

It is also a place with real history. The building was once the theatre of Seroe Colorado, the entertainment spot for the workers and families of the old Lago refinery colony. Today it is home to JADS Dive Center, which has been bringing the building back to life, and that dive heritage is exactly why it works as a cocktail bar and grill. It started as the spot where divers came up for a meal and a chat about the day's adventures.

The essentials

Location: Above Baby Beach, San Nicolas, at the southern end of Aruba. It is a drive from the high-rise hotels, so plan it as a day trip.
Hours: Open daily, roughly 10:00 to 20:00. Check ahead before you make the drive south.
The pool: A minimum spend at the bar gets you access to the infinity pool. There is also a smaller, quieter pool tucked at the back on the ground floor if you want more privacy.
Good to know: It runs on an adults-only, unwind-and-relax philosophy. Wheelchair accessible. Live music some days.
Also here: JADS Dive Center, so you can buy or rent dive gear, and beginners can even learn the basics in the pool before heading into the ocean.

What it actually feels like

The star is the big infinity pool that looks straight out over Baby Beach, elevated just enough that the water seems to spill toward the sea. It is a swim-up, cocktail-in-hand kind of place, unhurried and adult. Round the back on the ground floor there is a second, smaller pool that far fewer people find, so if you want a more private soak, head there. Some days there is live music, and because it is wheelchair accessible, it is easier to enjoy than a lot of beach spots.

What to order at Rum Reef

Cocktails

This is a cocktail bar at heart, with drinks made from scratch. A favorite of ours is the Smiling Lizard, which has coconut rum in it, and they pour a good Long Island Iced Tea too. Ask the bar what they are mixing.

From the grill

The kitchen turns out really good burgers, and being right on the ocean, the seafood is a strong bet, from fresh fish to shrimp. Think grill-and-seafood done well rather than fussy fine dining. It is a bar and grill, and it plays that role beautifully.

Who Rum Reef is perfect for

Couples and friends who want a relaxed, grown-up day of swimming and cocktails with a view. Divers and snorkelers using Baby Beach. Anyone happy to make the trip south for something that feels a bit different from the resort strip. If your ideal Aruba afternoon is a pool over the sea with a drink in hand, this is it.

Who it might not be for

Families with young kids, this one is not really built for you. Rum Reef leans into an adults-only, peace-and-quiet vibe, so it is not a splash-around family pool. And because it is all the way down in San Nicolas, it is a commitment from the hotel area rather than a quick stop.

Insider tips from the locals

Make a day of it. Pair Rum Reef with Baby Beach itself, which is calm and shallow and great for snorkeling, then come up to the pool to dry off with a cocktail. Keep an eye on the water below, turtles do show up. If you have ever wanted to try diving, this is a rare spot where you can learn the basics in the pool first through JADS before you commit to the open ocean.

One memory

The turtles are the thing we still talk about. Floating in an infinity pool at the edge of Baby Beach, looking down, and there they are, gliding through the shallows like they own the place. You do not get that at a regular bar.

Should it be one of your days on Aruba?

If you like the idea of trading the busy hotel strip for an infinity pool over the sea, a proper cocktail, and a bit of Aruban history under your feet, the drive to San Nicolas pays off. Go for the pool, stay for the sunset drinks, and build the day around Baby Beach.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Rum Reef and how do I get there?

Rum Reef is above Baby Beach in San Nicolas, at the southern tip of Aruba. It is a fair drive from the high-rise and low-rise hotels, so plan it as a day trip rather than a quick stop.

Can anyone use the infinity pool?

Yes, a minimum spend at the bar gets you pool access. There is the big infinity pool overlooking Baby Beach and a smaller, quieter pool at the back if you want more privacy.

Is Rum Reef family friendly?

Not really. Rum Reef runs on an adults-only, relaxed philosophy, so it is better suited to couples, friends, and divers than to families with young children.

What is good to order at Rum Reef?

It is a cocktail bar and grill, so start with a cocktail made from scratch, like the Smiling Lizard with coconut rum, or a Long Island Iced Tea. From the grill, the burgers and fresh seafood are both solid choices.

Can I go diving or snorkeling at Rum Reef?

Yes. It is home to JADS Dive Center, so you can buy or rent gear, and beginners can learn the basics in the pool before heading into the ocean. Baby Beach right below is calm and great for snorkeling.