Aruba Sail & Snorkel: Shipwreck, Turtles & BBQ Lunch

Three Snorkel Stops in One Morning: Aruba's Shipwreck, Turtles & Reef

You board a catamaran limited to under 35 guests and sail to three snorkel sites: the WWII Antilla Shipwreck, Tres Trapi where sea turtles graze, and Boca Catalina's shallow reef. You snorkel all three stops with provided gear, float on SUP boards if you choose, eat a BBQ lunch onboard, and drink from an open bar. The boat returns in the early afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sail and snorkel along Aruba coast

• Board catamaran with limited guests
• Sail to Antilla Shipwreck
• Explore marine life and corals
• Snorkel at Tres Trapi with turtles
• Snorkel at Boca Catalina
• Relax on nets or shaded cockpit
• Enjoy BBQ lunch onboard

The experience

The catamaran rocks gently beneath your feet as the crew casts off from the dock. You're standing on the bow with maybe thirty other people (not crowded, not packed), and the captain points toward the horizon where the Antilla sits on the seafloor. It's a German freighter from World War II, sunk in 1940, and now it's a reef. Corals have claimed the metal. Fish move through the cargo holds. You'll snorkel right over it, mask on, watching the wreck come into focus below you.

After the shipwreck, the boat cuts across to Tres Trapi, where the water turns so clear you can see the sand thirty feet down. This is where the sea turtles hang. They move slowly, unbothered, and you float above them with your snorkel in, watching. The crew keeps the group loose: no herding, no schedule pressure. Then comes Boca Catalina, the final stop, where the reef is shallow and the fish are thick. Parrotfish, sergeant majors, the small bright ones whose names you never remember. By then you've been in the water twice and the sun is high.

The sail and snorkel tour in Aruba runs on a catamaran that could fit fifty but stays under thirty-five guests, which is the whole point. You get space on the front nets if you want it, shade in the cockpit if you don't. There's an open bar (rum punch, water, beer), and the crew brings out snacks while you're cruising between stops. Snorkel gear is provided. SUP boards are there if you want to paddle instead of swim. The BBQ lunch comes around midday: spare ribs and chicken, or grilled grouper if you ordered seafood, salads, rice, pasta if you're vegetarian. Nothing fancy, but it's hot and it's enough.

The whole thing takes most of the morning and early afternoon. You don't need to arrange transport to the dock, public buses run nearby, and you don't need to bring your own snorkel gear or worry about where to eat. The captain and crew handle the navigation and the safety briefing. All you do is show up, get on, and spend the day in the water.

What’s included

Your day includes a catamaran with a captain and crew, snorkel equipment, three snorkel stops (Antilla Shipwreck, Tres Trapi, and Boca Catalina), complimentary SUP boards, a BBQ lunch with your choice of meat, seafood, or vegetarian pasta, local snacks, onboard music, and an open bar with refreshing drinks. The boat is limited to fewer than 35 guests to ensure comfort and space.

Options for this experience

2 options

Sail to Boca Catalina in the morningGuide in English, Spanish or Dutch · 09:00Open bar with BBQ lunch

Morning sail with transport includedGuide in English, Spanish or Dutch · 09:00Includes pickup and drop-off

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (3 to 15 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 35

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Dutch

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 30 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h 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 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Spronk Catamarans

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to snorkel Aruba's best reefs and the WWII shipwreck without renting gear, arranging lunch, or managing a crowded boat: the small group size and all-inclusive format mean you show up and spend the day in the water.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Dutch.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 15 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

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 24 h before the start.

How many people go on each trip?

The catamaran holds up to 50 but is limited to fewer than 35 guests per cruise.

What's included in the BBQ lunch?

Spare ribs and chicken, grilled grouper, or vegetarian pasta, served with salads and rice. Vegetarian options are available.

Do I need to bring my own snorkel gear?

No. Snorkel equipment and SUP boards are provided.

Is there food and drink included?

Yes. BBQ lunch, local snacks, and an open bar with refreshing drinks are included.

What if I'm vegetarian?

Vegetarian pasta is available as a lunch option, and the crew can accommodate dietary preferences.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the dock?

No. Public transportation options are available nearby the departure point.

Is this suitable for beginners?

Yes. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels.