Aruba Catamaran Sail & Snorkel Catalina Bay & Antilla Shipwreck

Sail to Two Snorkel Sites in Aruba on a Catamaran with Open Bar

You board a catamaran in Aruba and sail to two snorkel sites: Catalina Bay's shallow reef and the Antilla Shipwreck in deeper water. National Geographic snorkel equipment is provided, and a professional guide points out fish and wreck details. Between sites, you return to the boat for unlimited drinks and snacks. The whole experience takes four to five hours, and you're back at your hotel by early afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sail and snorkel at Aruba sites

• Board spacious catamaran
• Sail along Aruba’s beaches
• Snorkel at Catalina Bay
• Snorkel at Antilla Shipwreck
• Enjoy open bar and snacks

The experience

"How deep does it go?" someone asks as the catamaran pulls away from the dock, and the guide just smiles. You'll find out soon enough. The boat cuts through water so clear you can see the bottom from the deck, and within twenty minutes you're dropping anchor at Catalina Bay, where the reef starts in shallow water and drops away into blue. The snorkel gear is already fitted to your face (National Geographic equipment, not the rental-shop stuff), and the guide points out where the grouper usually hangs, where the parrotfish are working the coral. You're in the water maybe three minutes before you stop thinking about anything except the fish moving past your mask.

The second stop is the Antilla, a shipwreck that sank in 1940 and has become a reef unto itself. The hull sits in thirty feet of water, and you can see it from the surface: a dark shape below, covered in coral and small fish. Snorkeling around it, you get the strange feeling of being inside history without having to dive deep or stay down long. The guide stays close, pointing out the details: a porthole, a section of railing, the way the wreck has become a home for creatures that weren't here when the ship went down. After an hour in the water, you're back on the catamaran, where the open bar is waiting (beer, rum punch, soft drinks, whatever you want), and the snacks keep coming. The boat drifts while you dry off and eat, and nobody's rushing you back to shore.

The whole thing runs about four to five hours from pickup to return. The catamaran holds enough people that it doesn't feel crowded, and the crew knows the sites well enough that you're not wasting time looking for fish. If you've snorkeled before, you'll recognize the routine. If you haven't, the guide walks you through it on the boat before you get in. The boat is certified by Sustainable Travel International, which means they're not dropping anchors on coral or leaving a wake of trash. It matters if you care about that kind of thing.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup is not mentioned in the tour details, so confirm this with the operator.
• The tour includes use of snorkel equipment (National Geographic brand), professional guides, unlimited drinks from the open bar (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), and snacks throughout the day.
• You visit two snorkel sites (Catalina Bay and the Antilla Shipwreck) with time to explore each before returning to the catamaran.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 14:00

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4)

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Check-in time is at 1:30 P.M. at the Pelican Pier located on Palm Beach between the Holiday Inn Beach Resort & Playa Linda Beach Resort Address: L.G. Smith Blvd. 230, Palm Beach, Aruba”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Pelican Aruba

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to snorkel two distinct sites without arranging your own boat, equipment, or navigation: the catamaran and guide handle all of it, and the open bar means you're not paying extra for drinks between dives.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Dutch.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4).

What's included in the tour?

Snorkel equipment (National Geographic brand), professional guide, unlimited drinks (beer, rum punch, soft drinks), snacks, and the catamaran ride to both sites.

How long is the tour?

Approximately four to five hours total, including sailing time, two snorkel stops, and return to the dock.

Do I need snorkeling experience?

No. The guide gives instruction on the boat before entering the water, and the sites are suitable for beginners. Catalina Bay is shallow. The Antilla Shipwreck is deeper but snorkeled from the surface.

Is the boat crowded?

The catamaran is spacious and holds multiple passengers, but the group size keeps it from feeling cramped.

What if I don't want to snorkel?

You can stay on the boat during snorkel time and enjoy the open bar and views. Check with the operator about any discount for non-snorkelers.

Is there shade on the boat?

The catamaran is open-air. Bring sunscreen and a hat. The sun reflects off the water.

Are alcoholic drinks really unlimited?

Yes, the open bar includes beer, rum punch, and other alcoholic beverages, plus soft drinks and water.

What time does the tour start?

Check your confirmation for the exact departure time. Tours typically depart in the morning.