Aruba Afternoon Snorkel Sail aboard Palm Pleasure Catamaran

The main attraction here is the SS Antilla, a WWII-era German freighter resting in Aruba’s clear Caribbean water. You’ll float above its coral-covered remains, then visit a second snorkel site at Boca Catalina, where fish and sea turtles may appear.

I like the generous open bar and the big catamaran, which gives you room to sit in the sun, find shade, or stretch out on the front nets. I also like that the crew helps beginners, offers corrective goggles, and can guide you through optional Snuba. The catch is simple: this is a popular group trip, so the water can feel crowded when several boats gather at the same site.

Key points to know before booking

• The SS Antilla is the star: A 40-foot German freighter from World War II now shelters coral, tube sponges, fish, and sometimes turtles.
• Two snorkel stops are included: Plan on roughly 45 minutes at each location, depending on conditions and the day’s timing.
• The catamaran is spacious: The 70-foot Palm Pleasure has sun and shaded areas, forward nets, onboard restrooms, and room for up to 80 people.
• Food and drinks are part of the price: Expect an open bar plus snacks such as sandwiches and hot dogs, though the food is basic rather than a full meal.
• Snuba needs an early check: The optional underwater experience can sell out, and it reaches about 20 feet without requiring certification.
• Hotel pickup may be available: Most major hotels are included, but you can also meet at De Palm Pier between the RIU and Hilton.

Why the SS Antilla makes this sail worth considering

Aruba has no shortage of catamaran cruises, but the SS Antilla gives this one a clear purpose. The freighter ran aground during World War II and now rests in relatively shallow water, covered with coral growth and surrounded by marine life. From the surface, you can make out the long shape of the ship below you. It is an unusual sight, part maritime story and part underwater habitat.

The wreck is about 40 feet long according to the tour details, though its presence feels much larger when you look down from the boat. You may see schools of tropical fish, coral, tube sponges, and possibly sea turtles. The exact visibility depends on wind and water conditions. One afternoon can bring clear views, while another may be rougher and less sharp.

The crew gives instructions before you enter the water and points out features around the wreck. You do not need previous snorkeling experience. If you are uneasy in open water, the crew can help you get comfortable, and one crew member may enter the water to assist.

That support matters. This is not a private lesson, so the guide cannot spend the entire session with one person. Still, the crew’s willingness to help beginners makes the trip more approachable than a bare-bones boat ride.

Boarding at De Palm Pier and settling into the boat

The Palm Pleasure leaves from De Palm Pier on J.E. Irausquin Boulevard, between the RIU and Hilton Resort. If you are driving yourself, check in at the Coconuts retail store at least 30 minutes before the 2:00 p.m. departure.

The pier entrance is reached from the sidewalk near the RIU delivery entrance, marked by the De Palm Pier archway. This is useful to know because the pier is not simply a lobby door at one of the large resorts. Give yourself time to find it, especially if you are walking from another hotel.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are available from most major hotels when selected during booking. Transportation is not included as a general tour feature, so confirm your pickup location rather than assuming every hotel is covered. If your hotel does not appear in the booking menu, you can select a nearby hotel or provide the location later and contact the operator using the phone number on your ticket.

Once aboard, you can choose the sun deck, a shaded cabin area, or the forward nets. The boat is a 70-foot catamaran, not a small open skiff, so it offers more room to move around and a steadier platform for putting on your gear. An onboard restroom is available, which is a practical benefit on a three-hour trip.

The maximum group size is 80 people. Some departures have been described as comfortable even with more than 70 people aboard, thanks to the boat’s size. Still, do not picture a quiet private cruise. This is a social outing with music, drinks, shared snorkeling sites, and plenty of people in the water.

Sailing toward the wreck with a drink in hand

The afternoon timing works well for a relaxed outing. You leave at 2:00 p.m., when the sun is beginning its later-day turn, and sail along Aruba’s coast toward the wreck sites. The island recedes as the catamaran heads onto turquoise water.

The open bar operates throughout the trip. You can order alcoholic drinks or virgin versions, and the crew keeps the mood lively without making the boat feel like a nightclub. A bartender named Alex received special praise for keeping drinks flowing during a rougher afternoon, but the crew lineup can change from one departure to another.

Snacks are served during the trip. The offering has included cold sandwiches, hot dogs, and assorted light food. Some people find this enough for a small lunch after swimming, while others consider it plain. I would treat the food as welcome fuel, not a reason to skip breakfast or lunch.

That distinction helps with the value calculation. At $85 per person, you are paying for the catamaran ride, two water stops, equipment, instruction, snacks, local taxes, and an open bar. Compared with paying separately for a boat trip, snorkel gear, drinks, and food, the package is sensible. You are not paying for a gourmet meal or a private experience.

Snorkeling above the SS Antilla

At the Antilla, the crew explains how to use the mask, snorkel, and fins before you enter the water. Equipment and basic instruction are included. Corrective goggles have also been available for people who need prescription lenses, but ask in advance so the crew can prepare the right equipment.

The wreck is the more memorable of the two water stops. You can look down into the clear water and follow the outline of the freighter while fish move around the metal structure. Coral and tube sponges have claimed parts of the ship, turning a wartime wreck into a living reef.

The group usually spends about 30 to 45 minutes at a site, with the exact time shaped by conditions and the day’s schedule. That is enough for a good look without leaving you waterlogged, though strong snorkelers may wish for more time.

A practical warning: the Antilla is a popular stop. Several boats may anchor nearby, and a large group can enter the water at once. If everyone gathers over the same section of wreck, you may spend as much time avoiding fins and elbows as watching fish. This is the main reason to choose a private charter instead if solitude and unhurried exploration matter most to you.

Water conditions also vary. One stop may have lower visibility or more wave action than expected. The tour can still be enjoyable in those conditions, but underwater photographs may not be as clear, and less confident swimmers may prefer to stay near the crew.

Boca Catalina and the second water stop

The second location is Boca Catalina, known for calmer water and reef life. Here the appeal is less about one dramatic object and more about seeing coral, small tropical fish, and other marine life moving through a natural underwater setting.

This stop helps balance the wreck experience. At the Antilla, you focus on the outline and story of a sunken ship. At Boca Catalina, you can pay more attention to fish and reef formations. Some people have seen turtles, jellyfish, and large numbers of fish at the two sites, though sightings are never guaranteed.

The water may be easier for a first-time snorkeler at Boca Catalina, but conditions still depend on the day. Listen carefully to the crew’s instructions, especially if wind or current has picked up. If you are not a confident swimmer, tell the crew before entering the water rather than trying to manage quietly on your own.

You can also skip the water and remain aboard. The catamaran has space to relax, and the open bar continues. That flexibility makes the outing workable for mixed groups, where one person wants to snorkel repeatedly and another prefers to enjoy the sail.

Optional Snuba at 20 feet

Snuba is the main upgrade. It uses an air line connected to the surface, allowing you to breathe underwater while going below the surface without the certification required for traditional scuba. The maximum stated depth is 20 feet, or about six meters.

This option is especially useful if snorkeling leaves you wanting a closer look at the Antilla. You can move below the surface and view the wreck from a different angle while staying connected to your guide and the surface system.

The experience is not automatically included in the $85 price. It can also sell out. One couple who missed it on the first day returned the next day and received a one-on-one session with a guide named Jervin, although the spelling may vary. That story points to the practical advice here: ask about Snuba availability as early as possible, ideally when booking.

No snorkeling or scuba certification is required, but you still need to follow the certified guide’s instructions. If you are nervous, the guide’s close support can make a big difference. If you have no interest in going below the surface, standard snorkeling already gives you access to both sites.

What the crew and equipment add

The crew receives strong praise for being friendly, funny, attentive, and safety-minded. That combination matters on a boat where the mood is part of the product. You get help with equipment, directions in the water, drink service, and encouragement if you are unsure about snorkeling.

The equipment has generally been described as good, and masks with corrective lenses may be available. Bring your own reef-friendly sunblock if you have a preferred brand, and wear your swimsuit under comfortable clothes. You should also bring a towel and walking shoes for the pier.

The crew can explain the wreck and identify marine life, but this is not a formal museum-style history tour. The information is delivered as part of a lively afternoon on the water. If you want an in-depth account of the freighter, you may need to do extra reading before or after the sail.

Who should book this Aruba catamaran trip

I would choose this tour for a couple, family, or mixed-age group that wants snorkeling without arranging every detail separately. The minimum age is three, and most people can participate. The large boat, snacks, restrooms, and shaded seating make it easier for families than a small, basic snorkeling vessel.

It also suits first-time snorkelers. You receive gear and instruction, and the crew can help people who are uncertain in the water. Corrective goggles are an important plus for anyone who normally wears glasses.

This is a good choice for you if you want:

• A half-day outing rather than a full-day commitment
• A social boat with music, drinks, and a relaxed mood
• Two snorkel sites, including a recognizable shipwreck
• Food and drinks included in the price
• The option to add Snuba
• Hotel pickup from a participating major hotel

I would look elsewhere if you want a private boat, quiet water time, or a carefully prepared meal. The group may be large, and the popular wreck site can become crowded. The included food is practical and filling for some people, but it is not a restaurant lunch.

Price, timing, and cancellation advice

At $85, the tour offers fair value if you plan to use the open bar, eat the snacks, and snorkel at both stops. A catamaran ride alone could be cheaper, but it would not include the same combination of equipment, instruction, food, drinks, and crew support.

The three-hour length is also well judged. You get enough time to sail, swim at two sites, and relax without giving up the whole day. The afternoon departure leaves your morning open for the beach, sightseeing, or simply sleeping in.

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, changes and refunds are not accepted.

Should you book the Palm Pleasure?

Book it if you want an easy, sociable way to see the SS Antilla and snorkel two Aruba sites. The strongest reasons are the roomy catamaran, helpful crew, open bar, included snacks, and support for beginners. Add Snuba if you want to see the wreck from below and can confirm a spot before it sells out.

Skip it in favor of a private charter if you dislike crowds or want long, quiet stretches in the water. For most people, though, the Palm Pleasure offers a well-rounded afternoon: a memorable wreck, good reef stops, a comfortable boat, and enough food and drink to make the $85 fare feel reasonable.

FAQ

Where does the Palm Pleasure catamaran leave from?

The boat departs from De Palm Pier at J.E. Irausquin Boulevard 1, between the RIU and Hilton Resort. Check in at the Coconuts retail store at least 30 minutes before the 2:00 p.m. departure.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included from most major hotels when you select your hotel during booking. If your hotel is not listed, choose a nearby hotel or provide your location later and contact the operator using the phone number on your ticket.

Can cruise ship passengers take this tour?

No. The schedule does not match most cruise ship arrivals, so the tour is not recommended for cruise ship passengers.

How many snorkeling locations are included?

You snorkel at the SS Antilla shipwreck and Boca Catalina. The water time at each location is generally around 30 to 45 minutes, depending on conditions and the schedule.

Is Snuba included in the ticket price?

No. Snuba is an optional upgrade and may sell out. It reaches about 20 feet and does not require snorkeling or scuba certification.

What is included in the $85 price?

The fare includes the three-hour snorkel sail, snorkel equipment, instruction, snacks, an open bar, and local taxes. Transportation is not included unless you select an available hotel pickup option.

What happens if the weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund; cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.