12 Best Aruba snorkeling tours to explore the island’s reefs and wrecks

The picturesque island of Aruba offers some of the best snorkeling in the Caribbean. Although most reefs are accessible easily from the shore, some are easier and more comfortable to visit by joining organized tours. Fortunately, there is a wide range of trips available. Whether you prefer a catamaran sail or a private excursion, an adrenaline-filled Seabob trip, discovering shipwrecks, or swimming with turtles, there is a perfect Aruba snorkel tour for everyone. We are often asked about which one we recommend. Therefore, we decided to make a list of the best ones based on our own experience and other fellow snorkelers’ reviews. Let’s see it!

Dolphin Snorkeling Cruise with Open Bar

Did you know that the Caribbean’s second biggest shipwreck rests in Aruba? The Antilla is the most exciting dive and snorkel spot on the island, so you can’t miss it! Although the wreck is not too far from the shore, you should get there by boat due to strong currents and boat traffic. This catamaran snorkeling excursion departs from Hyatt Regency Beach and takes you directly to the wreckage.

Upon arriving at Antilla, you can jump into the water and swim around the massive German freighter, which has been turned into an artificial reef. It is covered by hard and soft corals and is home to a variety of marine life, including lobsters and shrimps. The wreck rests in 60ft/18m deep water, but its hull and masts are exposed, making this site perfectly suitable for snorkelers, too! Here is a photo of the wreck, which we took while floating above it.

The tour includes a second stop at Boca Catalina, a more beginner-friendly snorkel spot. It is a very shallow reef where you can swim among colorful reef fish and encounter turtles.

You can enjoy a light lunch and an open bar with soft drinks and fantastic tropical cocktails. Moreover, rope swing and water slide are available onboard to ensure maximum fun during the day!

Aruba Catamaran Snorkeling Tour aboard the Arusun

Sailing along the island’s beautiful coastline aboard a modern 65ft/20m catamaran is the ideal way of getting to the island’s prime snorkeling sites in total 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 can 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 most popular snorkeling tour in Aruba is the Jolly Pirate sail and snorkel cruise. People love this excursion because it provides good value for money, 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 start from MooMba Beach and sail on an 85-foot/26-meter teak schooner pirate ship (like the one on the photo below), so you can feel like being in a movie scene!

The boat stops at three sites. The first two stops are Malmok Beach and Boca Catalina, where 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, you will visit Antilla, the German WWII wreckage, which 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

Visiting De Palm Island is a must when visiting Aruba. The private, all-inclusive day resort is easily accessible 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 groups 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 we recommend choosing a private snorkeling tour. You can decide on the route, swim and snorkel wherever you want; the crew will take care of you the whole day and keep you comfortable by serving freshly prepared food and chilled drinks.

The price might seem high at first, but considering what is included (all-inclusive service and 100% attention) I must say it is excellent value for money, especially if you have a bigger family or are traveling with your friends.

Trip duration: ~3 hours

Guided Mangel Halto and Baby Beach Snorkeling Tour Aruba

Mangel Halto and Baby Beach are two of the most fantastic snorkeling spots in Aruba, but since they are a bit far away from the island’s main tourist area, they are a bit overlooked by visitors, which is a shame! In our opinion, the Mangel Halto Reef is so beautiful that you cannot miss it (just look at the photo below which we captured at the site).

If you don’t have your car, join this guided tour that will take you to these fantastic sites in total comfort with all transportation provided. After snorkeling, you can have a nice local meal at the on-site restaurants at Baby Beach.

Trip duration: ~5 hours

North Coast Seabob Reef Tour

If you want a more adventurous way of exploring Aruba’s underwater world, 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, 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. Experienced guides will join you in the water and help you if you need help with the right snorkeling technique or using your equipment.

You will visiting the reef of Catalina Bay and the wreck of Antilla, so you can see the very 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 complete comfort aboard a 26ft/8m speedboat.

The tour goes to Boca Catalina or Malmok Beach, guests decide. 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

Not everyone likes going snorkeling in the morning, but luckily, afternoon trips are available. This one takes you shipwreck snorkeling in Aruba onboard a luxurious catamaran. While sailing through the turquoise Caribbean Sea, you can relax on the deck, munch on snacks, and slip icy drinks from the open bar.

Reaching your destination, you can 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 a certified Snuba guide’s guidance, you can go up to 20 ft/6 m deep to observe the majestic wreck even better.

Trip duration: ~3 hours

Sailaway Afternoon Sunset Snorkel Tour

If you are short on time but still want to make the most of your Aruba snorkeling experience, board a pirate-style sailboat to enjoy a complete afternoon tour. You will be sailing along Aruba’s main coast, so you can observe the island’s most heavenly white-sandy beaches and snorkel at three top sites: Malmok Beach, Boca Catalina (both beginner-friendly spots), and the Antilla Shipwreck.

The ship has plenty of space for comfort, a rope swing for fun, and an open bar to raise 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