Aruba: Catamaran Sail & Snorkeling with Open Bar

Sail the Caribbean without the crowds or the planning

You board a 65-foot catamaran at the pier, sail into calm water, snorkel with provided gear over the reef, and drink from an open bar for two and a half hours while the crew manages everything else. No crowding, no separate rentals, no planning beyond showing up.

Step-by-step itinerary

Catamaran sail and snorkeling in Aruba

• Check in at tour desk
• Shuttle to catamaran by zodiac boat
• Board catamaran and meet captain
• Attend safety briefing
• Hoist sails and start sailing
• Enjoy sailing and marine nets
• Mate serves refreshments onboard

The experience

The beach bars are packed by mid-morning, but the Arusun leaves the pier with maybe thirty people on a boat built for comfort, not capacity. Two and a half hours sounds short until you're floating above the reef with a drink in hand and no one jostling for space. The catamaran itself, a 65-foot hull that's crossed oceans, handles the Caribbean swells the way it was designed to, which means you're not gripping the rail or feeling queasy. After check-in at the desk, a zodiac brings you out to the boat, and that's when the pace shifts: the captain runs through safety, the sails go up, and the first mate starts pouring.

Snorkeling happens once you're anchored in the shallows where the fish are. The equipment is there (mask, fins, snorkel), so you don't pack it or rent it separately. The water is warm and clear enough that you see the coral and the small schools moving through it without any mystery or disappointment. If you're not a strong swimmer or you'd rather stay on deck, that's fine. The marine nets in the front are strung between the hulls, and people spend the whole sail there, half-submerged, watching the water go by. The bar runs the whole time (rum, whisky, vodka, juices, soda, water), and it's all included, which changes the math on a half-day outing.

The boat doesn't stop at five different spots or spend an hour at each one. It's a sail, a snorkel, a drink, and back to the pier before the afternoon heat really sets in. The crew handles the navigation and the timing, so you show up, get on, and don't think about logistics. Vegetarian snacks are available if you mention it when you book.

What’s included

Your sail includes snorkeling equipment, unlimited drinks (whisky, rum, vodka, juices, soda, water), snacks, and use of the marine nets and shaded seating on deck. A zodiac shuttle brings you from the pier to the catamaran, and the crew handles the safety briefing and sailing.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:30, 13:00 and 16:30

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5): free

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Check-in 30 minutes before departure. Meet at Aruba Watersports Center on Palm Beach, in the large brown beachfront building between Hilton and Barceló. The Bread Basket and Dazzling Turtle are in the same building.”

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 yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Aruba Watersports Center

Is this one for you?A good fit if you want to snorkel and relax without renting gear or arranging multiple stops: the boat, the drinks, and the reef are all part of one fixed outing. Plan for a moderate level of fitness and comfort with water. The sailing is smooth, but the boat moves with the sea.

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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 (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5): 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.

How long is the catamaran sail?

Two and a half hours total, including sailing, snorkeling, and the return to the pier.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes, mask, fins, and snorkel are provided. You don't need to bring your own or rent separately.

What's included in the open bar?

Whisky, rum, vodka, juices, soda, and water. Snacks are also included.

How many people are usually on the boat?

The catamaran is designed for small groups and is never overcrowded, though exact numbers vary by departure.

Do I have to snorkel?

No. If you prefer to stay on deck, the boat has shaded seating and marine nets in the front where you can relax in the water without diving.

Is there a vegetarian option?

Yes, vegetarian snacks are available. Let the operator know when you book.

What time does the boat leave?

Check-in is at the pier desk. The exact departure time is confirmed when you book.

Is this suitable for weak swimmers?

The snorkeling is optional. However, the boat is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health or spinal injuries, and moderate fitness is expected.