Private Snorkel Boat Aruba: Malmok Beach, Small Groups

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.91 (600 reviews) 96% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/12

Duration2h

GroupPrivate

LanguagesEN · NL +1

PickupAt your hotel

Your own boat, your own pace, your own snorkel spots in Aruba

You get a private 26-foot boat with a captain who customizes the route, snorkeling gear, and time in Catalina Bay's shallow coral gardens where beginner and experienced snorkelers both feel at home. Rum punch, water, and pickup from your hotel are included, and you pay extra hours only if you want them.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private snorkeling excursion in Aruba

Meet captain and board boat
Cruise to Malmok beach
Put on snorkeling gear
Snorkel in shallow waters
Spot tropical fish and coral
Return to beach and disembark

The Experience

The captain hands you a rum punch before you even sit down on the Bayliner, and you realize this is not going to be a cattle-car snorkel tour. It's your boat for the day — well, shared with up to nine other people, but the captain builds the route around what you want to see. Most mornings he takes the 26-footer south toward Malmok and Catalina Bay, where the water sits so shallow and clear that you can see the sand ripples from the surface. The coral and sea fans start almost immediately, and the fish — angel fish, damsel fish, parrotfish — are used to boats showing up, so they do not scatter the moment you slip in.

If you've never snorkeled before, the captain and guide do not rush you. They work through the basics in the shallows, watch your breathing, make sure the mask fits right. The whole point is that you're comfortable enough to actually look around instead of panicking about whether you're doing it correctly. Malmok is not crowded most days — the captain says they're often the only boat there — which means you get to move at your own speed between the coral heads without dodging other groups. The water temperature is warm enough that you do not need a wetsuit, and the gear is included, so you show up with a towel and sunscreen and that's it.

The rum punch is real, and the bottled water keeps coming. You get an octopus souvenir at the end, which sounds kitschy until you're holding it and remembering exactly where you saw the actual octopus hiding in the rocks. If you want to stay out longer, extra hours run $125 per booking, and you can add them on the spot. Pickup is free from the high-rise hotels; if yours is not on the list, it's $10 per person round trip. The balance gets paid in cash on the beach the morning you sail, so there's no surprise charge waiting at the end.

What’s included

Your day includes snorkeling gear, rum punch, bottled water, soft drinks, an octopus souvenir, and a captain who guides you through the shallows.
Pickup from high-rise hotels is free; other hotels are $10 per person round trip.
You can add extra hours at $125 per booking if you want to stay longer.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

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

Is this one for you?Right for groups or families who want their own boat and do not want to follow a fixed schedule or a large group. The shallow Malmok waters and patient guide make it work whether you're a first-time snorkeler or already comfortable underwater.