12 Best Aruba Snorkeling Tours – Which Should You Choose?

The picturesque island of Aruba offers some of the best snorkeling in the Caribbean. Although most reefs are accessible easily from shore too, there is a wide range of Aruba snorkeling tours available to take your adventures to the next level and see the most of that underwater beauty that this destination offers. Whether you prefer a catamaran sail or a private excursion, an adrenaline-filled Seabob trip, discovering shipwrecks or swimming with turtles, are a beginner or experienced; there is a perfect Aruba snorkel tour for everyone, let’s see the 12 best!

Dolphin Snorkeling Cruise with Open Bar

Discover the Caribbean’s second biggest shipwreck! This catamaran snorkeling excursion departs from Hyatt Regency Beach and takes you to one of Aruba’s most exciting dive and snorkel spots, the Antilla!

The wreckage of this massive German freighter turned into an artificial reef; it is covered by hard and soft corals and gives home to a variety of marine life including lobsters and shrimps. Although the wreck rests in 60ft/18m deep water, its hull and masts are exposed making this site perfectly suitable for snorkelers too!

The second stop of the tour is a beginner-friendly Aruba snorkel spot, Boca Catalina where you will be swimming amongst colorful reef fish over a shallow reef.

This boat trip includes a light lunch and open bar with soft drinks and fantastic tropical cocktails. Moreover, rope swing and water slide are also available onboard to provide guests with maximum fun!

Aruba Catamaran Snorkeling Tour aboard the Arusun

Sailing along the island’s beautiful coastline aboard a modern 65ft/20m catamaran is one of the best snorkeling tours in Aruba for those who want to get to prime snorkeling sites in comfort. You can relax on the spacious deck or sunbathe in the nets up front while enjoying snacks and drinks from the open bar.

By joining this tour, you will have the opportunity to go shipwreck snorkeling at Antilla and reef snorkeling in the shallow Catalina Bay where you might see sea turtles too.

Jolly Pirate Sail and Snorkel Cruise

Probably the best snorkeling tour in Aruba is the Jolly Pirate sail and snorkel cruise in terms of value for money. Guests love this excursion because it is well-organized, the guides onboard are super fun, and the included BBQ lunch is top-notch!

While on a Jolly Pirate snorkel tour, you will be starting from MooMba Beach and will sail on an 85ft/26m teak schooner pirate ship; it feels like being in a movie scene!

The boat stops at three sites; at Malmok Beach and Boca Catalina you can enjoy snorkeling over vibrant coral reefs surrounded by reef fish. These are also among the top Aruba snorkel sites to spot turtles! Finally, visiting Antilla, the German WWII wreckage makes this trip complete.

If you get hungry after snorkeling (I’m sure you will!), you can enjoy a BBQ lunch with yummy dishes such as fresh fruits, salads, and grilled chicken/ribs.

Trip duration: ~4 hours

De Palm Island Day Trip

Fancy an adventure to Aruba’s own private island? This De Palm Island day trip offers excitement for everyone! Even if you don’t stay at this famous Aruba all-inclusive resort, you’ll get the chance to experience the thrill of this location by signing up for this day trip.

Relax in sunny hammocks, snorkel in the crystal-clear waters, take photos of the famous flamingos, and try water sports such as banana boating or SNUBA diving. What’s more, you can even take a sea trek here where you can walk underwater wearing a special helmet that allows you to breathe! Sounds exciting? Wait no longer, book your Palm Island tour now!

This tour is excellent for families, couples, and group of friends looking for a fun and adventure-filled all-inclusive experience.

Trip duration: ~6 hours

Aruba Private Catamaran Charter with Snorkeling

If you are celebrating something special while in Aruba, don’t like crowds, or just want an exclusive experience, then this private snorkeling tour is the best you can choose. You can decide on the route, swim and snorkel wherever you want; the crew will provide you with freshly prepared food and chilled drinks.

The price might seem high at first sight, but seeing what is included and thinking about the all-inclusive service and private attention you receive, I must say it is excellent value for money, especially if you have a bigger family or traveling with your friends.

Trip duration: ~3 hours

Guided Mangel Halto and Baby Beach Snorkeling Tour Aruba

Mangel Halto and Baby Beach are fantastic snorkeling spots in Aruba but since they are a bit far away from the main tourist area of the island, they are a bit overlooked by visitors, which is a shame!

Join this guided tour that will take you to these fantastic sites in full comfort with all transportation provided. After snorkeling, you can have a nice local meal at the on-site restaurants at Baby Beach.

In my opinion, Mangel Halto offers the best snorkeling in Aruba so it would be a mistake to miss out visiting this location when on the island!

Trip duration: ~5 hours

North Coast Seabob Reef Tour

If you want a more adventurous way of exploring Aruba’s underwater world, then join a Seabob reef tour! Using an underwater scooter (a motorized personal watercraft) you can smoothly glide through the water; high-level fun is guaranteed!

During this Seabob snorkel tour, you will visit three prime spots on the north coast: start at the vibrant reef of Arashi Beach, look for turtles at Boca Catalina, and observe dozens of sea stars on the sandy bottom of Tres Trapi!

Trip duration: ~2 hours

Discover Snorkeling For Beginners Mangel Halto Aruba

Beginner snorkelers who require guidance and help when in the water will love the Discover Snorkeling Tour Aruba which is organized by the Nautilus PADI Dive Center. The excursion includes a briefing when your guide explains how to use your gear and what coral/fish species you will see.

When you are ready to hit the water, you will discover the rich aquatic life of Mangel Halto and the area’s own shipwreck, the Kappel!

Trip duration: ~2.5 hours

Sailing and Snorkeling Tour Aruba

This Aruba snorkeling tour is highly recommended for beginner snorkelers as experienced guides will join you in the water who will help you if you need help on how to snorkel and use your equipment.

Visiting the reef of Catalina Bay and the wreck of Antilla, you will be seeing the best of Aruba’s underwater beauty on this tour! For your comfort, unlimited drinks are included.

Trip duration: ~2.5 hours

Octopus Aruba Private Snorkeling Trip

Those who don’t like big boats where crowding can happen should choose this private tour and visit Aruba’s best snorkel spots in full comfort aboard a 26ft/8m speedboat.

Choose between snorkeling at Boca Catalina or Malmok Beach. These two sites are not so far from each other and both offer beginner and kid-friendly conditions with vibrant reefs and teeming aquatic life including turtles.

Trip duration: ~2 hours

Palm Pleasure Antilla Snorkeling Tour

Spend an afternoon onboard a luxurious catamaran and go shipwreck snorkeling in Aruba! While sailing through the turquoise Caribbean Sea, you can enjoy relaxing on the deck, munching on snacks, and slipping icy drinks from the open bar.

Reaching your destination, jump into the refreshing water to discover the Antilla wreck and its surrounding marine life.

If you want more adventure, you can try SNUBA too, an underwater activity that combines snorkeling and diving. With the guidance of a certified Snuba guide, you will be able to go up to 20 ft/6 m deep to observe the majestic wreck even better.

Trip duration: ~3 hours

Sailaway Afternoon Sunset Snorkel Tour

Are you looking for an afternoon sail tour in Aruba? Then step on board this pirate-style sailboat! You will be sailing along the island’s main coast while you can observe Aruba’s heavenly white-sandy beaches and snorkel at three top sites: Malmok Beach, Boca Catalina (both spots are beginner-friendly) and the Antilla Shipwreck.

The ship has plenty of space for comfort, a rope swing for fun, and open bar to rise the feeling! Wait, it can get even better! Witnessing the magical Aruba sunset on the way back will be the icing on the cake!

Trip duration: ~3.5 hours