Snorkeling in Aruba: Natural Pool hike with certified guide

Hike to a natural pool ringed by rock, then snorkel inside it for an hour

A 4-hour guided hike and snorkel tour in Aruba's National Park combines a 5km coastal walk with swimming and snorkeling at the Natural Pool, Conchi, a sheltered lagoon where you can see fish and coral without a boat. Your guide is a certified firefighter and lifeguard. Snorkel equipment, bottled water and Aruban snacks are included. Hotel pickup is arranged, and you choose your own pace during the hike.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hiking and swimming at Natural Pool

• Hike 2.5km to Natural Pool
• Pass Daimari Beach, Boca Ketu, Moro
• Walk through dunes before Conchi
• Hike 45 mins from Boca Ketu to Natural Pool
• Swim and snorkel at Natural Pool for 1 hour
• Hike 45 mins back to Boca Ketu
• Swim at Boca Ketu if sea is calm
• Hike 45 mins back to Daimari Beach

The Experience

You start at Daimari Beach and hike inland through the dunes, then along the east coast toward Conchi. The walk to the Natural Pool takes about 2.5km and passes Boca Ketu, a remote beach where leather-back turtles sometimes nest. Your guide points out Aruba's native plants and wildlife as you go, and the sea breeze off the Atlantic keeps the heat manageable. Snacks are offered along the way, and you can ask for breaks whenever you need them.

The Natural Pool itself is the main event: a shallow lagoon enclosed by rock formations that shelter it from the open ocean. You spend an hour here swimming and snorkeling. The water is calm enough most days to see the seafloor clearly. After you finish, you hike back the same route, retracing your steps through Boca Ketu and the dunes to Daimari Beach. The return leg takes another 2.5km, with a chance to swim at Boca Ketu again if conditions allow.

Your guide carries the snorkel equipment and handles the logistics, so you only carry yourself and water. The hike covers uneven terrain and loose sand, and the total time on your feet is about 4 hours with the swimming break included. Hotel pickup means you don't arrange transport, and the park entry fee ($20 per person) is paid separately at checkout if you choose that option.

What’s included

• Snorkel equipment.
• bottled water.
• Aruban snacks.
• hotel pickup.
• certified lifeguard guide in English, Spanish or Dutch.
• access to the Natural Pool and coastal beaches.

Days and timesDaily · 08:00

Ages7 to 65 years · Under 7 — No ticket type: can't be added to a booking

Meeting point and pickupPickup optional · ends where it startsMeeting point, per the operator: “Bright Bakery is a bakery where you can get breakfast. You can get to Bright Bakery from route 4, which starts from the hotel area.”

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 yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Uncle Howie's Hiking Tour

Is this one for you?If you have a free afternoon and want to snorkel without a boat, this hike gets you to a sheltered lagoon where the water stays calm and clear. The certified guide handles the route and the gear, so you focus on the walk and the water.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Dutch.

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 far is the hike to the Natural Pool, Conchi, from where we start?

The hike from Daimari Beach to the Natural Pool, Conchi, is 2.5km one way, with another 2.5km back to the beach. You'll pass through the dunes and along the coast, stopping at Boca Ketu on the way out.

What's the Natural Pool, Conchi, actually like when we get there?

The Natural Pool is a shallow lagoon surrounded by rock formations that block the ocean swell, so the water stays calm and clear. You snorkel inside it for about an hour and can see the seafloor and marine life without needing a boat.

Is the snorkel gear provided, or do I need to bring my own?

Snorkel equipment is included and provided by your guide. You also get bottled water and Aruban snacks during the hike.

What happens at Boca Ketu, the other beach on the route?

Boca Ketu is a remote, isolated beach where the hike passes twice, once on the way to Conchi and again on the way back. If the sea is calm, you can swim there briefly. It's also a nesting site for leather-back turtles, though sightings are not guaranteed.

Does the tour include hotel pickup, or do I meet the guide somewhere?

Hotel pickup is included, so your guide will collect you from your accommodation. You don't need to arrange transport to the trailhead.

Can I take breaks during the hike if I need to?

Yes. Your guide is flexible about pacing. Just let them know if you need to rest, and they'll adjust the rhythm to suit you.