Private Aruba National Park Hiking & Natural Pool Swimming

I can't recommend Howard's tour enough! He was extremely communicative ahead of the tour, offering to make adjustments to the start time, and clarifying what we should bring. As a proud Aruban, he was extremely knowledgeable about the area we were hiking through, but also happy to share his thoughts on current affairs in Aruba. He made a special effort to get us to the natural pool BEFORE the crowds, so we could truly enjoy its beauty. Plus, he was very committed to our safety, carrying snacks and water for us, and even swimming with us (he's a trained lifeguard, and the rocks around the pool can be dangerous). The tour was a highlight of our visit to Aruba, and I hope everyone has the chance to join Howard for a visit to Arikok National Park soon.

This was so fun! Highly recommend! Howard picked me up at the hotel, he was super patient and friendly ! And from the hotel we went to the park, we got there super early and beat the crowd!

Howie's hike through Arikok National Park is an exceptional experience! It was my favorite thing I did during a weeklong stay in Aruba. You get a generous and knowledgeable guide in Howie, and he makes a bit of a rugged hike fly by. On the day I went, it was too rough to swim at Conchi, but that was OK because we still got to see the awesome spectacle of the waves crashing ashore and filling the pool. Over the course of three hours, we didn't see another person in the park--it was like we had it all to ourselves. I would definitely do this again and refer friends going to Aruba to hike with Howie, too. In my opinion, it's the best way to see Arikok and get a real sense of the park and its landscapes.

Howard is far from your regular tour guide. As a firefighter, he shows genuine care for people—and we felt that warmth from the very moment our tour began. If you’ve done your homework, you know that Aruba isn’t a typical tropical island. The national park sits on the opposite side, far removed from the classic palm trees and sandy beaches. So, you'll discover a stunning landscape of cacti, sand, rugged stones, powerful waves, and even a fascinating vineyard. Howard is a fantastic storyteller, an absolute pro at taking photos, and he makes sure you never go hungry or thirsty on the road.

If you like being out in nature and hiking then you will love this early morning hike to Conchi Natural Pool! We reached out to Howard via WhatsApp and finalized everything within a couple of hours. Arvid (Howard’s nephew) was our guide and he gave us such a breathtaking experience. We met up at a bakery for 630am and he drove us to the closest point of the trailhead. We appreciated how personable Arvid was and the wealth of information he shared as we passed certain points. It was so cool to eat the little pepper looking dragon fruit off a cactus before the iguanas got to them. We also saw wild goats. Arvid constantly checked to see if we needed a water break and did not rush us whatsoever. He took pics with his camera (Howard later sent them over via a link) and had snorkel gear, snacks, and water in his backpack. When we got to the natural pool there were a handful of people there but at one point we had it all to ourselves for a good 20 min. After the hike, Arvid drove us back to the bakery and we met up with Howard who treated us to a pastechi. We will definitely use Howard and Arvid for other hikes when we return. Masha danki, boso a mustra nos e Aruba berdadero.

Howard is a great tour guide! He shared a lot of history and stories about the park and Aruba. Very friendly and would definitely recommend!

Where do I begin! I originally set out to travel to Aruba on a solo trip and had booked my private hike, when my brother decided to crash my trip! lol I reached out to Howard who was more than happy to add my brother. He picked us up at our hotel and we immediately hit it off talking about Aruba, family and his travels to the Dominican Republic (where I was born). I recently had a knee replacement and was able to keep up as Howie maintained an easy going pace. I loved that he shared stories about the different plants, rock formations, boats and even crashed jeep we encountered. At one point I was having a hit of difficulty breathing and he was at my side making sure I was ok! We were provides snorkel gear at Conchi and must say it was one of the highlights of our trip!

Brilliant! Howie is such an amazing guide and his firefighter and lifeguard training came to good use as my son got sick from an unrelated illness.

We did a private sunrise hike and snorkel in Arikok National Park and it was easily one of the highlights of our trip. Howard was fantastic—an engaging storyteller who brought the landscape to life, and incredibly patient (especially with my husband, who took a slower pace). What really stood out was how personalized the experience felt. Howard adjusted the hike to fit us perfectly, never rushing and always making sure we were comfortable. Getting to the snorkeling spot so early meant we had the water completely to ourselves—quiet, beautiful, and unforgettable. An amazing experience from start to finish. Highly recommend if you want something special and thoughtfully guided.

We loved our private tour experience with Uncle Howie’s. He went above and beyond, and was incredibly friendly. We got to see more of Arikok than we would have otherwise, and often we were the only people as far as the eye could see! Would definitely recommend to everyone looking for something outside the usual Jeep tours.