Arusun Catamaran Sail with Snorkeling in Aruba

The best part of this Aruba outing is the mix of shipwreck snorkeling and easy sailing. You cruise on the roomy 65-foot Arusun, stop at the Antilla wreck and Catalina Bay, then return with enough time for drinks, snacks, and a little sun on the deck. I like the spacious layout and the fact that the group is capped at 35 people. You can sit in the sun, find shade at the rear, or stretch out in the forward nets.

I also like the strong crew presence. Captains and first mates such as Amanda, Gabriel, and Ronnie have been praised for clear safety instructions, good humor, and personal attention. The main consideration is the mood: music and an open bar can make this feel like a lively party cruise, not a quiet nature trip. Conditions and crowd levels at the wreck can also affect your snorkel time.

Key things to know before boarding

• Two different snorkel sites: Visit the Antilla Shipwreck and Catalina Bay, with the second stop often offering shallower water and reef fish.
• Large catamaran, limited group: The Arusun carries no more than 35 people, giving you room to spread out.
• Open bar included: Whisky, rum, vodka, juices, soda, and water are available, along with snacks and light wraps.
• Boarding starts by zodiac: Meet at the Aruba Watersports Center, then take a small rubber boat from the pier to the catamaran.
• Strong crew reviews: Amanda, Gabriel, and Ronnie are among the crew members praised for safety help, humor, and attentive service.
• Bring basic fitness and confidence: You need to manage the zodiac transfer and get in and out of the water. Snorkeling can be challenging in current.

Sailing Aruba’s coast on the Arusun

For $63 per person, this 2-hour-30-minute cruise gives you three useful things in one package: a boat ride, two snorkel stops, and food and drinks. That makes it a solid value for an Aruba day when you want more than another stretch of beach.

The Arusun is a 65-foot catamaran with a wide deck and several ways to settle in. You can sit in full sun, use the shaded area at the back, or lie in the nets at the front as the boat moves. That layout matters. On a smaller boat, one noisy group or a crowded rail can shape your whole afternoon. Here, you have more room to change seats and find your own pace.

The boat is limited to 35 people. Some departures have had only eight or nine passengers, while a full departure will feel more social. The operator has also been praised for running trips with small numbers instead of canceling, but you should not assume every sailing will feel nearly private.

The cruise offers morning and afternoon departures. A morning trip may suit you if you want cooler conditions and a calm start to the day. An afternoon departure gives you a relaxed break from the beach and may suit anyone who enjoys a livelier boat atmosphere. The exact feel depends on the day, the number of people aboard, and the music.

Getting from Palm Beach to the catamaran

You check in at the Aruba Watersports Center at J.E. Irausquin Boulevard 81-B in Noord, near Palm Beach. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way there. The meeting point is near public transportation, and the cruise ends at the same place.

The first leg is not a walk down a dock onto the Arusun. You board a zodiac rubber boat at the pier, then ride out to the catamaran. That short transfer adds a little adventure, but it also deserves attention if you have limited mobility or dislike stepping between small boats.

Wear footwear that you can manage easily during boarding, and keep your belongings secure during the zodiac ride. The available information calls for a moderate level of physical fitness. One practical point is clear: this is not the best choice for people who have trouble climbing, transferring, or getting into open water.

Once aboard, the crew helps you get settled and explains the safety rules. The crew has received frequent praise for giving clear instructions without turning the briefing into a long lecture. That is useful for first-time snorkelers, especially families with older children or teens.

The Antilla Shipwreck stop

The first snorkel stop, conditions permitting, is the Antilla Shipwreck. The SS Antilla is one of the main attractions on this outing. From the water, you can see the wreck and the marine life around it, including colorful fish and coral.

The wreck gives the first stop a stronger sense of place than a standard reef swim. You are not simply looking down at fish over sand. You are exploring the remains of a large ship, with sections visible beneath the surface. The shape of the wreck adds interest even when visibility or water movement is less than perfect.

Bring realistic expectations. The Antilla can be busy with swimmers, snorkelers, and scuba divers. Your view may not be completely quiet or open, especially at a popular time of day. Water conditions also control how clearly you can see the wreck. On a good day, the water has been clear enough for fish, coral, and the wreck itself to show well. On a less favorable day, you may still get in and see marine life, but the stop may feel less dramatic.

The current can be strong. One useful tip from past outings is to use the fins provided with the snorkel equipment. Fins make it easier to move through the water and return to the boat without tiring as quickly. If snorkeling makes you nervous at first, tell the crew. They assist with equipment and explain what you need to do before you enter.

You should also keep your energy in check. It is easy to spend the whole stop swimming hard toward the wreck, then feel tired before the second location. Relax, use the fins, and let the water carry you when conditions allow.

Catalina Bay and the second snorkel

After the wreck, the boat continues to Catalina Bay, also referred to as Boca Catalina in some descriptions. This stop offers a useful contrast to the first. It is shallower in places and gives you a different view of Aruba’s underwater life.

The bay can be a good place to focus on fish rather than the structure of the wreck. Past outings have produced sightings of schools of fish, blue parrotfish, and sea turtles. A turtle is never guaranteed, but Catalina Bay gives you a reasonable chance to keep an eye out for one. Sometimes the best sighting comes just as the boat is preparing to leave, so do not rush back aboard before taking one last look around.

The second stop also helps balance the itinerary. If the Antilla is crowded or the current makes the wreck hard work, Catalina Bay may feel easier and more relaxed. If you are new to snorkeling, the shallower water can be less intimidating. Still, conditions vary, and you should not expect the same visibility or animal sightings on every departure.

You receive complimentary snorkel equipment. Fins are particularly useful, and the crew can help with gear and basic instructions. Vegetarian snacks are available if you request that option when booking.

A catamaran with room to choose your own pace

The Arusun is not designed as a silent sailing yacht. It is a social cruise with drinks, snacks, music, and crew interaction. That is a plus if you want an easygoing party on the water, but it is worth knowing before you book.

I like the choice of seating. You can work on a tan at the front, retreat to shade at the back, or use the nets for a more memorable ride over the water. A spacious deck is especially useful after snorkeling, when some people want to dry off in the sun and others want to sit under cover.

The crew has been praised for keeping the tone warm without pushing photo packages or paid upgrades. That helps the $63 price feel more straightforward. You pay for the cruise, snorkel equipment, snacks, and drinks, rather than being drawn into a string of extra purchases.

Music is part of the experience. Some people will enjoy the lively atmosphere and open bar. If your priority is a quiet ride with only the sound of the water, you may find the music too loud. This is the clearest dividing line in choosing the Arusun. It is a fun sail and snorkel outing, not a quiet wildlife boat.

What the $63 price includes

The price covers the main costs that can add up on an island excursion:

• Catamaran sailing
• Snorkel equipment
• Snacks
• Unlimited open bar
• Water, soda, juices, whisky, rum, and vodka
• Two snorkel stops, subject to conditions

The snacks are described as light wraps, sandwiches, fruit, and similar simple food. They are enough to take the edge off hunger, but this is not a full lunch cruise. Eat normally before boarding, especially if you plan to snorkel at both sites.

The open bar is a real part of the value. You can have drinks throughout the trip, and the selection includes spirits as well as nonalcoholic choices. Some departures feature rum punch or a captain’s special. Drink sensibly if you plan to snorkel, since the water portion is more enjoyable when you are alert and comfortable.

Compared with paying separately for a boat ride, snorkel rental, drinks, and snacks, $63 is a fair package price. It is an especially good deal if you plan to use the equipment, take both water stops, and enjoy the bar. It is less compelling if you do not drink, dislike group music, or mainly want a quiet sail.

Who will enjoy this trip most

This outing suits you if you want several easy vacation pleasures in one short activity. You can see a shipwreck, look for fish and turtles, enjoy Aruba from the water, and spend time with a friendly crew without giving up a full day.

Families with older children can do well here. Children aged 10 and 5 have enjoyed the boat and the views, but the water transfer, current, and snorkeling demands mean you should judge your own children carefully. The experience is not recommended for small children or people with limited mobility based on the practical demands of boarding and swimming.

It also suits couples and groups of friends. The open bar and music give it a social feel, while the catamaran provides enough room for you to step away from the main group. Cruise ship passengers can reach Palm Beach by taxi, then use the taxi stand near the Hilton next door for the return trip.

You may want another option if you are seeking a quiet water outing, a private charter, or a trip built around long, uninterrupted snorkel time. The Arusun divides its time among sailing, two stops, food, drinks, and socializing.

Timing, weather, and practical details

The cruise lasts about two and a half hours, which is a useful length for most itineraries. You get enough time to enjoy the boat and enter the water twice, but you do not lose an entire day in the sun. I especially like this length for a beach-focused vacation, since it leaves room for other plans.

The trip depends on good weather and safe water conditions. The Antilla stop is listed as subject to conditions, and the crew may adjust the plan when water conditions are not suitable. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

You receive confirmation at booking, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. The trip also requires a minimum number of participants, so an operator cancellation for that reason leads to a different date, another experience, or a full refund.

Wear swimwear, bring sunscreen, and consider a light cover-up for the ride back. Sunscreen matters because the open deck gives you plenty of sun exposure, even when the breeze makes the heat feel mild. Keep your expectations flexible: sea conditions affect visibility, current, and the exact quality of both snorkel stops.

Should you book the Arusun?

I would book this tour if you want a social, good-value catamaran trip with two chances to snorkel and a drink included. The Antilla wreck gives the outing a strong focal point, Catalina Bay adds a second type of water experience, and the roomy catamaran keeps the ride from feeling cramped.

I would skip it if your ideal day means silence, no music, or a private guide focused only on marine life. The open bar and lively atmosphere are central to the experience, not minor extras. For families, check that everyone can manage the zodiac transfer and water entry before booking.

At $63, the Arusun makes the most sense when you use the full package: sailing, snorkel gear, both stops, snacks, and the open bar. If that sounds like your kind of Aruba afternoon, it is an easy excursion to add to a Palm Beach stay.

FAQ

Where does the Arusun catamaran tour start?

The tour starts at the Aruba Watersports Center, J.E. Irausquin Boulevard 81-B in Noord, Aruba, near Palm Beach.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

What snorkel sites does the tour visit?

The planned stops are the Antilla Shipwreck and Catalina Bay, with the Antilla stop dependent on suitable conditions.

Is snorkel equipment included?

Yes. Complimentary snorkel equipment is provided for the water stops.

What drinks are included?

The unlimited open bar includes whisky, rum, vodka, juices, soda, and water. Snacks are also included.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. Hotel pickup and hotel drop-off are not included. You need to reach the Aruba Watersports Center on your own.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes the experience to be canceled, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time to receive a full refund for a personal cancellation.