Aruba Shipwreck Snorkeling: 3 reef stops, open bar

Three reefs in one morning, which one holds your attention longest?

You board a seventy-foot catamaran in Aruba and spend a half-day sailing between three snorkel sites: the coral-covered Antilla Shipwreck, the shallow fish-filled Boca Catalina, and the branching formations of Arashi reef. Thirty to forty-five minutes at each stop, with snorkel gear, lunch and an open bar included. The crew handles the logistics, so you just show up and get in the water.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Arashi Beach30m
2. Boca Catalinapass by

Morning sail and snorkeling tour

• Board the Palm Pleasure catamaran
• Enjoy sailing and open bar
• Snorkel at Antilla Shipwreck
• Snorkel at Boca Catalina
• Snorkel at Arashi reef
• Relax on Arashi Beach
• Enjoy lunch on board

The experience

The Palm Pleasure is seventy feet long and forty feet wide, which means you are not packed shoulder-to-shoulder the way you would be on a smaller tour boat. You board in the morning, the crew hands you a snorkel vest and shows you where the sun deck is, and then the catamaran points toward the first stop: the Antilla Shipwreck, where the coral has grown thick enough that you forget you are looking at a wreck at all. Thirty to forty-five minutes in the water, then back on deck to dry off and grab a beer or a tropical drink from the open bar while the boat motors to the next site.

Boca Catalina comes second, and it is shallower and calmer than the wreck, which is why the fish crowd in so close you can see their scales without trying. The crew keeps an eye on the water and tells you when to jump in. They are used to doing this and it takes the guesswork out of it. After another forty-five minutes you head to Arashi reef, the third and final stop, where the coral formations are different (more branched, less dense), and the light hits the water differently too. By the time you climb back aboard for the last time, you have been in the water for two and a half hours spread across three separate reefs, which is enough to see something real without overdoing it.

The lunch happens between stops or after, depending on the day: a buffet prepared by island chefs, nothing fancy but solid, and you eat on the shaded cabin top while the boat is anchored or moving slowly. The open bar runs the whole time, so you can have a beer at ten in the morning if that is what you want, or stick to water and coffee. The whole thing is a half-day tour, so you are back on shore by early afternoon with time to do something else, or just sit somewhere quiet and let your skin dry.

What’s included

Your half-day includes hotel or port pickup (confirm with operator), snorkel equipment, three guided snorkel stops with 30–45 minutes at each site, lunch buffet prepared by island chefs, open bar with beer and tropical drinks, use of the seventy-foot catamaran with sun deck and shaded cabin, and all local taxes. The crew handles entry and exit from the water at each reef.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

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 level

Operated by De Palm Tours VBA

Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want to see multiple reefs in one morning without arranging their own boat or gear. The half-day format means you are back by early afternoon, and the catamaran's size keeps the group relaxed instead of rushed.

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Top questions

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.

What are the three snorkel stops on this tour?

Antilla Shipwreck, Boca Catalina, and Arashi reef. You spend 30–45 minutes at each site.

Is snorkel equipment included?

Yes. The crew provides snorkel gear and assists you before each entry into the water.

What is included in the open bar?

Beer, tropical drinks, and non-alcoholic beverages. Water and coffee are available throughout the day.

How long is the tour?

It is a half-day experience. You are back on shore by early afternoon.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch prepared by island chefs is served on the catamaran between or after snorkel stops.

What is the minimum age?

Three years old. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels.

How big is the catamaran?

Seventy feet long and forty feet wide, which means smaller groups and more space than typical snorkel boats.

Do I need snorkel experience?

No. The crew assists first-timers and experienced snorkelers alike. Bring sunscreen and a beach towel.