Aruba Catamaran Snorkel Open Bar: 34-guest lounge boat

What makes a lounge seat on a snorkel boat worth the difference?

You board a catamaran with thirty-three other guests, snorkel the intact Antilla shipwreck for forty-five minutes, then move to Catalina Bay for a second stop. Lunch appetizers and unlimited drinks arrive at your cushioned seat without you asking, and the crew handles snorkel instruction if you need it. You leave with a souvenir and no bar line to remember.

Step-by-step itinerary

Afternoon catamaran sail and snorkeling

• Set sail along Aruba’s coastline
• Snorkel at the Antilla shipwreck
• Snorkel in Catalina Bay shallow waters

The experience

The shuttle boat rocks gently under your feet as it pushes off from the beach hut: thirty meters of calm water between you and the catamaran waiting offshore. You board with a drink already in hand, find your cushioned lounge seat facing the open sea, and realize nobody is standing behind you. That detail matters more than it sounds. The crew brings appetizers straight to your seat, then a rum punch or mocktail, whatever you want, no line at the bar. Around you, thirty-four other guests are doing the same thing: eating, drinking, watching Aruba's coastline slip past. This is the afternoon catamaran experience on the island, and it does not pretend to be anything fancier than what it is: a boat, good food, and two snorkel stops where the water is clear enough to see why you came.

The first stop is the Antilla, a 400-foot German freighter that sank more than sixty years ago and sits intact on the seafloor. You spend forty-five minutes there with the captain and first mate, who will work with you if snorkeling is new. They do not rush you, and the water is shallow enough that you stay in control. The ship is a wreck in the way that matters: big enough to explore, old enough to feel like something, covered in coral and fish that have made it home. Angel fish dart past damsel fish, octopuses hide in the shadows, sea fans wave in the current. After Antilla, the boat moves to Catalina Bay, shallower still, where the same fish are easier to spot and the whole thing feels less like an expedition and more like swimming in an aquarium.

Between snorkel stops, you eat again. Fresh appetizers come to your seat, and the crew keeps the drinks flowing: Aruba Arriba if you want the house special, or rum, gin, vodka, whiskey, whatever is behind the bar. Nobody asks you to stand. The catamaran rocks so little that you barely notice it. This stretch of sea stays calm year-round, which is why the thirty-meter shuttle ride to the boat feels like floating on glass. When the afternoon is done and you head back to shore, you take home an Octopus Aruba souvenir, the kind of thing that actually means something because you earned it by being there.

Boarding happens in the late afternoon, which is when the light turns gold and the water shows off. Bring a towel and sunscreen. The sun on the water is relentless, and you will be in it for hours. Children are welcome, and infants under two do not pay. If you have dietary needs, tell them when you book. The crew includes a certified first responder, and every vessel gets inspected every six months, so the safety part is handled before you step on.

What’s included

Your afternoon includes hotel pickup (check locally for availability), safety life jackets, professional snorkel instruction and equipment, two guided snorkel stops at the Antilla shipwreck and Catalina Bay, fresh lunch appetizers served to your seat, unlimited drinks from the open bar, a certified first responder on board, and an Octopus Aruba souvenir to take home. The catamaran holds a maximum of 34 guests, and the shuttle ride from the beach hut to the boat is included.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 13:00

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Your tour departs from the Octopus Aruba beach hut which is located on Palm Beach behind the Holiday Inn. Once you reach the Holiday Inn Hotel, please walk through the lobby until you reach the beach area.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Octopus Snorkeling, Sailing & Sunset Tours - Private Charter - Boat Rental

Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want to snorkel Aruba's best spots without arranging their own boat or worrying about standing in a bar line: the small group size and seat service are what make an afternoon feel unhurried instead of crowded.

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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 (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

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 two snorkel spots on this catamaran tour?

The Antilla, a 400-foot German freighter that sank over sixty years ago, where you spend forty-five minutes exploring; and Catalina Bay, a shallower spot with the same tropical fish and coral.

Is snorkel equipment included?

Yes, snorkel gear and instruction are included. The captain and first mate will work with you if you are new to snorkeling.

What drinks are available?

Unlimited drinks including Aruba Arriba, rum, gin, vodka, whiskey, and non-alcoholic mocktails. The crew brings them to your seat.

How many people are on the catamaran?

Maximum 34 guests, which keeps the group intimate and ensures every seat has an unobstructed sea view.

Is lunch included?

Fresh lunch appetizers are served throughout the afternoon directly to your seat. A full meal is not included, but appetizers and drinks keep you satisfied.

How do you get from the beach to the catamaran?

A shuttle boat transports you from the beach hut to the catamaran: a short thirty-meter ride through calm, flat water.

What happens if I have never snorkeled before?

The captain and first mate provide patient instruction and will work with you at both snorkel stops to ensure you are safe and comfortable.

What is included in the price?

Life jackets, snorkel equipment, instruction, lunch appetizers, unlimited drinks, a professional guide, captain and crew, a certified first responder on board, access to the restroom, and an Octopus Aruba souvenir.

Is there a bar on the catamaran?

Yes, but you do not stand in line. The crew brings drinks directly to your cushioned seat.