Aruba: Sunset Catamaran Dinner Cruise & Open Bar

Summary

Aruba sunset cruise with dinner buffet and open bar sailing past Palm Beach

You’ll sail Aruba’s coast at golden hour on a catamaran, sipping cocktails from an open bar while sampling Caribbean-inspired dishes from a generous dinner buffet. Expect laughter with locals and travelers alike, plus quiet moments as sunset colors spill across the water. This is an evening for slowing down — and maybe lingering longer than planned.

What’s the experience like?

We were already halfway out from Palm Beach before I realized how salty my skin felt — the kind of thing you only notice when the breeze cools off and you’re holding a glass of sparkling wine, watching Aruba’s shoreline flicker into evening. Our guide, Maritza, handed me a drink with a wink (“try the passion fruit one next!”), and I just leaned back against the railing, toes pressed into the deck. The music was soft but lively — some folks were dancing up front, others just laughing over plates piled with jerk chicken and coconut cake.

I didn’t expect to like the tomato and cucumber salad as much as I did (maybe it was the way it tasted after that first sea air hit?), but honestly, everything from the grouper in creole sauce to those roasted potatoes disappeared fast. The buffet worked like this: you wander over whenever you feel like it, grab what looks good, then drift back to your spot. There’s no rush. At one point someone tried to teach me a few Papiamento words for the cocktails — I think I mangled them pretty badly because everyone cracked up.

The sun dropped behind us so slowly it almost felt staged. There was this moment where everyone just went quiet, not in a forced way but more like we all realized at once how good it smelled out there — ocean mixed with grilled chicken and something sweet from the dessert table. Even now I remember that hush more than anything else. When we sailed back toward Palm Beach, lights coming on along the sand, nobody seemed in a hurry to get off. It’s funny how three hours can stretch like that.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Aruba sunset sail with dinner buffet

• Board catamaran and receive sparkling wine
• Set sail and explore catamaran decks
• Watch sunset and enjoy open bar drinks
• Eat three-course dinner buffet
• Return to Palm Beach to end cruise

Top questions

How long is the Aruba sunset dinner cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately three hours.

Is there an open bar included on this Aruba catamaran cruise?

Yes, there’s an open bar with sparkling wine, house wine, cocktails, local beer, sodas, and juices.

What food is served during the dinner buffet?

The buffet includes salads, breads, Caribbean grouper in creole sauce, jerk chicken breast, roasted potatoes, fresh fruit tarts, and coconut cake.

Where does the Aruba sunset sail depart from?

The catamaran departs from Palm Beach in Aruba.

Are children allowed on this sunset dinner cruise?

Yes, children are allowed if accompanied by a paying adult; most guests are adults.

Is transportation provided for this tour?

Public transportation options are available nearby; pickup is included.

Do I need to fill out any forms before boarding?

Yes, all passengers must complete a waiver form prior to boarding.

Is this Aruba sunset cruise suitable for people with limited mobility?

The experience is suitable for all physical fitness levels; infants can ride in strollers or prams.

What’s included

Your evening includes three hours sailing along Aruba’s coast aboard a spacious catamaran with comfy seating areas. You’ll enjoy an open bar offering cocktails, sparkling wine and local beer plus unlimited access to a generous Caribbean-inspired dinner buffet — all guided by friendly local staff before returning to Palm Beach after sunset.