Aruba Afternoon Snorkel Sail aboard Palm Pleasure Catamaran

The SS Antilla shipwreck is the star here: a 40-foot German freighter resting in Aruba’s clear Caribbean water, with coral and fish covering its rusting hull. You’ll reach it by catamaran, not a cramped speedboat, then spend the afternoon swimming above a piece of World War II history.

I like the roomy 70-foot boat, the two snorkel stops, and the fact that drinks and food are included rather than treated as extras. The crew also helps first-time snorkelers, offers prescription goggles on request, and can get into the water with anyone who feels unsure.

The tradeoff is the group size, up to 80 people. At busy snorkel sites, the water can feel crowded, and rough conditions may reduce visibility. If you want quiet water and personal attention, a private trip is the better choice.

Key points to know before booking

• Two underwater stops: Swim at the SS Antilla wreck and Boca Catalina, with roughly 30 to 45 minutes at each site depending on the day’s schedule.
• A proper catamaran: The wide Palm Pleasure has sun decks, shaded seating, nets, and onboard restrooms.
• Food and drinks included: Expect an open bar plus sandwiches and hot dogs, enough for a light lunch or substantial snack.
• SNUBA option: Descend to about 20 feet with a certified guide, without snorkeling or scuba certification.
• Good for beginners: Equipment, instructions, flotation help, and crew assistance are available.
• Hotel pickup is usually available: Most major hotels can be selected for pickup, though you can also meet at De Palm Pier.

Sailing from De Palm Pier at 2 p.m.

Your afternoon begins at De Palm Pier on J.E. Irausquin Boulevard, between the RIU and Hilton resorts. If you arrange hotel pickup, the operator collects you from most major hotels. If you drive yourself, check in at the Coconuts retail store at least 30 minutes before departure.

The pier entrance is reached from the sidewalk near the De Palm Pier archway. It is easy to miss if you are looking for a large terminal, so allow a little extra time to find the entrance and get checked in.

The Palm Pleasure is a 70-foot catamaran, which matters more than the word luxurious in the tour description. You have room to move around, find a shaded seat, stretch out on the nets, or sit on the sundeck as Aruba’s coast slips behind you.

The boat can hold up to 80 people, and some departures carry around 70 or more. That is not a small-group sailing, but the catamaran’s size helps keep it from feeling as tight as a smaller vessel. You should still expect a social outing with music, conversation, and plenty of people sharing the water stops.

The afternoon timing works well for a relaxed day on the island. You are not rushing out at dawn, and the sun begins to soften as the boat heads offshore. Bring your swimsuit under your clothes, comfortable walking shoes for the pier, a towel, and reef-friendly sunscreen.

The SS Antilla, Aruba’s famous underwater wreck

The first major stop is the SS Antilla, a German freighter that ran aground during World War II. At about 40 feet long, the wreck is large enough to create a memorable underwater setting, yet shallow enough to view from the surface with a mask and snorkel.

Coral and tube sponges have colonized the wreck, giving fish places to feed and shelter. You might see schools of tropical fish, sea turtles, jellyfish, and other small marine life. Visibility is often good, but it is not guaranteed. Wind and waves can stir the water, and one stop may be clearer than the next.

The crew supplies masks, snorkels, and flippers, then gives instructions before you enter the water. If you are new to snorkeling, this is useful. You do not need to arrive with strong technique, and the crew can help people who are nervous or do not swim confidently.

Prescription goggles are available, including corrective lenses for people who are nearsighted. Ask ahead of time or speak with the crew early in the trip. That small detail can make the difference between seeing a vague blue shape and properly enjoying the fish and wreck.

The wreck is best understood as a floating viewpoint rather than a quiet underwater expedition. Several boats may be anchored in the same area, and many people can enter the water at once. Stay aware of fins and swimmers around you, follow the guide, and keep your expectations realistic: this is a popular shared site, not a private reef.

Boca Catalina and a second chance to see fish

The second snorkel stop is Boca Catalina, known for calmer water and clear views of Aruba’s marine life. Conditions vary, but the site gives you another chance to see fish if the wreck stop is rough or murky.

The two-stop format is one of the strongest parts of the trip. You get the unusual sight of the Antilla and then a more traditional reef setting at Boca Catalina. If one location has poor visibility, the other may provide a better experience.

Plan on about 30 to 45 minutes in the water at each stop, though the exact schedule can change. That is long enough to explore without turning the afternoon into an endurance test. Several people find that the three-hour trip passes quickly because sailing, swimming, eating, and social time are all mixed together.

The water can become crowded, especially when several boats gather at the same anchorage. A private excursion would give you more freedom to move to a quieter site, but it would also cost more. For a shared tour, the two locations offer a fair balance of variety and time in the water.

What the open bar and food are really worth

The open bar runs through the sailing portion and the time on the water. You can order alcoholic or virgin drinks, and the bartender keeps the relaxed party mood going. Alex is specifically noted for keeping drinks flowing and adding energy to the afternoon.

The drinks are not the only practical benefit. After swimming, having food ready on the boat saves you from spending the rest of the afternoon hungry. The spread has included sandwiches and hot dogs, with some passengers describing it as enough for a light lunch.

Expect simple excursion food rather than a restaurant meal. Some people find the sandwiches and hot dogs perfectly adequate, especially after snorkeling. Others may find the meal plain, with one report describing a basic sandwich and hot dogs as less impressive than the rest of the trip.

That distinction is worth keeping in mind when you judge the $85 price. You are paying for the catamaran, crew, two water stops, equipment, instruction, snacks, and open bar. The food is a useful inclusion, but it should not be the main reason you book.

The open bar also changes the character of the outing. This is part snorkel trip and part afternoon social sail. If you want a quiet nature experience, the music, drinks, and large group may feel distracting. If you like meeting people and relaxing on deck after swimming, the setup works well.

The optional SNUBA upgrade to 20 feet

SNUBA is the most interesting add-on for people who want more than surface snorkeling but do not have scuba certification. You breathe through an air line connected to a floating system and descend with a certified SNUBA guide to a maximum of about 20 feet, or six meters.

That extra depth lets you get closer to the Antilla and see parts of the wreck that are harder to view from the surface. The option has been especially useful for first-timers who want to try an underwater experience without committing to a full scuba course.

Availability can be limited. The upgrade has sold out, and one couple had to return the next day to take part. If SNUBA is important to you, ask about availability before booking instead of assuming you can add it once aboard.

A guide named Jervin provided a reassuring one-on-one SNUBA experience for two participants on a later outing. That suggests the level of personal attention can be excellent when only a few people choose the upgrade, though you should not count on having a private guide every time.

You still need to be comfortable following instructions and being underwater. SNUBA removes the certification requirement, not the need to listen carefully and stay calm. If you prefer to keep things simple, standard snorkeling remains the main activity and requires less preparation.

Crew support makes this workable for beginners

The crew is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing over arranging equipment on your own. Instructions are included, and the staff assists people who need help with masks, flippers, or entering the water.

Some crew members get in with less confident snorkelers. That can matter if you are traveling with someone who cannot swim well or feels uneasy away from shore. You should still tell the crew about your comfort level before reaching the first stop.

The captain and crew also keep the schedule moving. They explain the wreck, point out marine life, and manage the transitions between sailing, snorkeling, food, and drinks. The tone is friendly and energetic rather than formal.

That style will suit you if you like a bit of humor and interaction. It may be less appealing if you prefer a silent sail with minimal announcements. The Palm Pleasure is built for an enjoyable group outing, not a private naturalist session.

Safety remains part of the experience. The crew monitors the water stops and provides the basic instruction needed to use the gear. Follow their directions, stay near the designated area, and remember that current and visibility can change during the afternoon.

Who gets the best value from $85

At $85 per person, this is a good-value choice if you want several pieces bundled together. A three-hour catamaran sail, two snorkel sites, equipment, instruction, an open bar, and food would be expensive to arrange separately.

I would especially consider it if you want a first Aruba snorkeling experience without renting gear, finding a boat, or planning transport between sites. Families and mixed-ability groups can also benefit from the crew support and the option to remain on deck while others snorkel.

The minimum age is three, so young children can join. That does not mean every three-year-old will enjoy the water stop. A child who is happier staying aboard can still be part of the sailing and food, but you should judge your own child’s comfort around water.

The trip suits couples, families, and friends who want an easy afternoon with a social mood. It is also a good fit for people who value a catamaran’s space and stability over a small, fast boat.

I would be more cautious if you dislike crowds or have your heart set on uninterrupted time above a quiet reef. With as many as 80 people aboard, the snorkel stops may feel busy. Visibility is weather-dependent, and a rough first stop can reduce the quality of the underwater views.

Cruise ship passengers should skip this option. The schedule does not line up with most cruise ship arrivals, and the activity is not recommended for cruise ship visitors.

Timing, pickup, and cancellation details

The scheduled start is 2 p.m., and the activity returns to De Palm Pier after about three hours. Hotel pickup and drop-off are available at most major hotels when selected during booking. If your hotel is not listed, you can choose a nearby hotel or provide your location in the special requirements field, then contact the operator using the number on your ticket.

The tour requires suitable weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

There is a restroom aboard the catamaran, another useful detail on a three-hour outing. Mobile tickets are accepted, and confirmation is provided when you book.

Should you book the Palm Pleasure snorkel sail?

Book it if you want a friendly, easygoing Aruba afternoon built around the Antilla wreck, two snorkel sites, open-bar drinks, and enough food to keep you going. The catamaran is spacious, the crew helps beginners, and the $85 price covers the parts that often become extra costs on boat trips.

Choose a private excursion instead if avoiding crowds matters more than price. Also think twice if your main goal is a quiet sail or highly personal underwater instruction.

For most people, the best plan is to treat this as a social catamaran day with good snorkeling, not as a secluded marine expedition. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, request corrective goggles if needed, ask early about SNUBA, and arrive at De Palm Pier with time to spare. That approach gives you the best chance of enjoying the wreck, the fish, and the relaxed ride back to shore.

FAQ

Where does the Palm Pleasure snorkel sail depart?

The catamaran departs from De Palm Pier at J.E. Irausquin Boulevard 1, between the RIU and Hilton resorts.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 2 p.m. If you drive to the pier, check in at least 30 minutes before departure at the Coconuts retail store.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included at most major hotels when you select your hotel during booking. If your hotel is not listed, you can choose a nearby hotel or provide the location in the special requirements section.

How long is the activity?

The snorkel sail lasts about three hours and ends back at the meeting point.

Where do you snorkel?

The two main snorkel sites are the SS Antilla shipwreck and Boca Catalina.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks, snorkels, flippers, instruction, and use of the snorkeling equipment are included.

Do you need certification for SNUBA?

No. The optional SNUBA experience does not require snorkeling or scuba certification and reaches a maximum depth of about 20 feet, or six meters.

Can cruise ship passengers join?

The tour is not recommended for cruise ship passengers because its schedule does not match most cruise ship arrivals.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the activity are not accepted or refunded. If poor weather cancels the tour, you can receive a refund or choose another date.