Aruba: Antilla Shipwreck Snorkel & Catamaran Sunset Sail

The wreck is still standing, and the fish know it.

You board a 70-foot catamaran in the late afternoon, snorkel two sites including the Antilla shipwreck, and float back as the sun drops. The open bar and snacks keep you comfortable between dives, and your guide handles the navigation and history. Hotel pickup and all snorkel gear are included, so you show up and get in the water.

Step-by-step itinerary

Afternoon sail and snorkeling tour

• Pickup from your hotel
• Board 70-foot catamaran
• Enjoy cocktails and tropical snacks
• Snorkel at Boca Catalina
• Explore Antilla shipwreck snorkeling
• Return to shore and transfer to hotel

The experience

The Antilla doesn't look like much from above the water. Just a dark shape, a suggestion of something large and deliberate resting on the seafloor. But the moment you slip in with your snorkel, it becomes obvious why this 40-foot German freighter, sunk during World War II, is the most famous wreck in the Caribbean. Coral has claimed the metal. Fish move through the cargo holds like they own them. Your guide points out the structure as you float above it, and you realize you're looking at history that's still alive, still changing, still feeding an entire ecosystem. The catamaran (a 70-foot vessel with enough space that you're not crowded in with fifty other tourists) leaves your hotel in the late afternoon, which means you're on the water when the light turns golden and the Caribbean stops being blue and becomes something closer to turquoise.

The open bar runs the whole time you're aboard, so there's a cocktail waiting when you climb back on deck after the first snorkel site. Boca Catalina, the second stop, is shallower and gentler, a place where the coral formations feel less like a graveyard and more like a garden. The crew hands out tropical snacks between dives. Nothing fancy, but enough to keep you from getting hungry. If you upgrade to Snuba, you get to go deeper than snorkeling allows without the full commitment of scuba certification. It's a hybrid thing, and it works. The whole experience runs three hours, which is long enough to feel like you've actually been somewhere, short enough that you're not exhausted by the time you're back at your hotel.

What catches people off guard is how clear the water is and how much life is actually down there. You're not swimming through an aquarium. You're swimming through someone else's neighborhood. The fish don't perform for you. They just go about their day, and you get to watch.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes hotel pickup, a three-hour sail aboard the 70-foot catamaran, snorkel equipment and instruction, entry to two snorkel sites (the Antilla shipwreck and Boca Catalina), complimentary drinks from the open bar, tropical snacks, and return transfer to your hotel. Local taxes are covered.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 14:00

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (10 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 9 years) · Under 3: can't be included in the booking

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Walk down the walkway between the Hilton and RIU Palace. You will see the Coconuts Gift Shop on De Palm Pier. Enter the Coconuts Store and go to the counter to check-in for your activity.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for heart conditions

Operated by De Palm Tours VBA

Is this one for you?Right for snorkelers who want to see a real wreck without scuba certification and prefer a smaller catamaran over a crowded boat. The three-hour window means you're on the water during the best light, and the open bar keeps the pace relaxed. It's not a rushed tour.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Dutch.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 17 years); Child (3 to 9 years). Under 3: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

How deep is the Antilla wreck?

The wreck sits at 40 feet, with portions only partly submerged, so you can see different sections depending on where you snorkel.

What time does the catamaran leave?

It departs in the late afternoon from your hotel, timed for sunset on the water.

Is snorkel equipment included?

Yes, snorkel gear and instruction are included in the tour price.

Can I upgrade to Snuba?

Yes, Snuba is available as an upgrade and combines snorkeling simplicity with deeper diving depth.

How long is the tour?

The snorkel sail runs three hours total, including both snorkel sites and the sail itself.

What's included in the open bar?

Complimentary cocktails and tropical snacks are served throughout the afternoon.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, pickup from your Aruba hotel is included.

What's the minimum age?

The minimum age is 3 years old.