Turtle Snorkel, Sunset BBQ Dock

Aruba: Snorkel with Turtles at WW2 Shipwreck & Sunset BBQ

★ 4.5 189 reviews

from $119 per person

Opens the live booking page with current dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation.

Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes
Meeting point: Lucy’s Retired Surfer Bar Dock
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Meal: Meal included
Run by: Spronk Catamarans

Overview

This Spronk Catamarans trip packs a lot into 4.5 hours: a sail along Aruba's coast, three snorkel stops, a barbecue dinner, and an open bar included with the trip. You board at Renaissance Marina in Oranjestad, and the boat pushes off toward the snorkel stops on the itinerary.

The first hour is pure sailing, drinks in hand. Then the boat works through three stops in sequence: Boca Catalina, where the barbecue is served; Tres Trapi, another snorkel stop; and finally the Antilla shipwreck, a WW2 shipwreck listed as one of the tour's headline stops. Guests can choose between full-face or traditional snorkel masks, both with fins, and the boat carries stand-up paddle boards that anyone can use, with crew on hand to help beginners.

The dinner is a barbecue with a vegetarian option, and reviewers mention choices such as fish, chicken and ribs. Alcoholic drinks are included rather than sold on board. The sail back to Oranjestad is timed to the sunset. A family with children and a group of older women both appear among recent guests, and the format suits anyone comfortable in open water for short stretches. Bring a towel and sun protection, as the listing advises.

What's Included

Included

Snorkel masks with fins. Choice of full mask or traditional
SUP boards
BBQ lunch or dinner included. Also, vegetarian options
All alcoholic beverages are included

Itinerary

Check in at Renaissance MarinaMeet at the pier behind Lucy's Retired Surfer Bar and Restaurant in Oranjestad. The tour starts and ends at this marina.
Sail from Oranjestadroughly 1 hour of coastal sailing with drinks from the open bar.
Boca Catalina Beach75 minutes for swimming, snorkeling and local snacks. This is where the barbecue is served. SUP boards are available.
Tres Trapi Beach45 minutes of snorkeling at the second of the three snorkel stops.
Antilla Shipwreck1 hour of snorkeling at the Antilla, the WW2 shipwreck that gives the tour its name.
Sunset sail backroughly 30 minutes back toward Oranjestad with the sunset over the water. Drop-off points include Noord and Tranquilo Charters depending on the option selected.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical things will shape the day, from what you carry on board to how the stops are paced.

Bring and wear. The listing asks guests to bring towels and sun protection. Swimwear is the obvious choice. There is no listed dress code beyond that.
Snorkel gear. Masks and fins are included, and you can choose between a full-face mask or a traditional one. One reviewer described the borrowed gear as good quality.
Pace and fitness. The stops are short and varied, about 45 to 75 minutes each, so no single swim is long. Reviews from a family with children and from a group of women in their seventies and eighties both describe an enjoyable day. SUP boards are there if you want extra activity between swims.
Food and drink. Dinner includes fish, chicken, ribs or vegetarian choices, and reviewers repeatedly called the food good. Alcoholic drinks are included and several guests noted the drinks flowed freely. Local snacks appear at the Boca Catalina stop as well.
Turtles and wildlife. Multiple reviewers reported seeing turtles, often two at a time, plus plenty of fish around the wreck. Turtles are wild animals, so sightings aren't guaranteed.
Group feel. Reviewers often praised the crew, calling them friendly, kind and attentive, and a few named individual crew members. The boat has comfortable seating.

Common issues. A few travellers have raised clearer pickup communication and more punctual departures as areas that could improve, so it is wise to confirm meeting details on the booking page before the day. The tour spends most of its 4.5 hours around water and on a moving boat, which may not suit anyone uneasy about swimming in open sea. The listing does not state group size limits, so check the booking page if a quieter boat matters to you.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Price?

Snorkel masks with fins, stand-up paddle boards, the barbecue dinner with a vegetarian option, and all alcoholic beverages are included. Local snacks are served at the Boca Catalina stop. The listing shows no additional items excluded.

Where Does The Tour Start And Is Pickup Included?

Pickup is optional and arranged through the booking page; the starting and ending point is Renaissance Marina in Oranjestad, at the pier behind Lucy's Retired Surfer Bar and Restaurant. Drop-off locations include Noord and Tranquilo Charters depending on the option selected. One reviewer mentioned being collected and returned at the cruise port, but confirm your specific pickup on the booking page.

Is It Suitable For Children And Older Travellers?

One family with three children called it the best day of their holiday, and a group of five women aged seventy to eighty-three had a great time and said the crew looked after everyone well. Stops involve swimming from a boat, so basic water comfort is needed. The listing does not state a minimum age, so check the booking page for families with very young kids.

What Food Is Served At The Barbecue?

Reviewers report a choice of fish, chicken, ribs, a chicken and ribs combination, or a vegetarian plate. Multiple guests described the food as nice or delicious. Drinks, including alcohol, are unlimited and included.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The booking page also offers a reserve now, pay later option, which keeps plans flexible until closer to the date.

What Should I Bring?

The listing recommends towels and sun protection. Wear swimwear, since most of the trip is spent in and around the water. Snorkel gear and paddle boards are provided.