Premium Catamaran Morning Sail: Snorkeling, Mimosas and Brunch

The best part of this three-hour Aruba cruise is the chance to snorkel around the Antilla, a 400-foot German freighter that sank during World War II. You also get a second stop in shallow Catalina Bay, so the morning works for both confident swimmers and first-time snorkelers.

I like the small group size, capped at 34, and the crew service, especially the personal attention associated with Captain Richard, Jamil, Jose Luis, and Jose. I also like the open bar and the easygoing setup: cushioned seats, music, snacks, and drinks brought to your seat.

The main catch is the word brunch. You receive pastries, fruit, wraps, pinwheel sandwiches, and other small bites, but this is not a full meal. If you arrive hungry, eat something beforehand.

Quick reasons to consider this morning sail

• The Antilla is the headline stop: Spend about 45 minutes near one of the Caribbean’s most recognizable shipwrecks.
• Malmok Reef is the gentler second swim: Catalina Bay has shallow water and fish that are easier to see if you are new to snorkeling.
• The boat holds only 34 people: That gives you more room than a large party boat and makes crew help easier to get.
• Drinks continue throughout the cruise: Mimosas, cocktails, soft drinks, and the Aruba Arriba are included in the open bar.
• Light food arrives throughout the morning: Expect pastries, fruit, wraps, and small sandwiches rather than a buffet.
• Boarding is by shuttle boat: From the Palm Beach hut, it is a short 30-meter ride to the catamaran across calm water.

The Antilla gives the morning a real focal point

Many Aruba boat trips offer pretty water and a drink in your hand. This one adds a memorable object beneath the surface. The Antilla is an intact 400-foot German freighter from World War II, and it has rested underwater for more than 60 years.

You get around 45 minutes at the site. That is enough time to see the wreck, look for fish around it, and get comfortable with the water, though the conditions may feel rougher here than at the second stop. The shipwreck is offshore, so this is not the easiest place for a nervous first-timer.

The crew provides masks, snorkels, fins, and instruction. Life jackets are available, and a certified first responder is on board. If you are unsure about swimming in open water, tell the crew before entering. You can also stay on the boat at this stop and save your swim for Catalina Bay.

The wreck is also where the tour’s conditions matter most. Clear Caribbean water can make the structure easy to see, but wind and current affect how comfortable the swim feels. One practical tip from the boat experience is simple: do not treat the two stops as all or nothing. If the Antilla feels too rough, enjoy the view from the catamaran and try the calmer second stop.

Malmok Reef is the better place to learn

The second stop takes you to Catalina Bay near Malmok Reef. The water here is shallow, which gives beginners a more reassuring setting and makes it easier to watch fish without feeling far from the boat.

You might see angel fish, damselfish, octopuses, stingrays, turtles, and other tropical fish. Marine life is never guaranteed, but turtles and schools of fish are regular highlights of this route. The reef stop also gives you a useful contrast with the wreck: the Antilla is about structure and history, while Malmok is about fish and clearer, shallower viewing.

If you have never snorkeled, this is the place to start. Practice your breathing and mask fit in water where you can touch the bottom before heading into deeper water. The crew helps with instruction, but your own comfort level still matters.

Some people want more than 45 minutes at each site. The schedule gives you two solid swim periods, but it leaves plenty of time for sailing, food, and drinks. If snorkeling is your only priority, a dedicated reef trip may offer more water time. If you want a social morning with two swims, this balance works well.

A small catamaran with a social, relaxed feel

The Octopus is designed more for comfort than for a large-party atmosphere. Cushioned lounge seating and open sea views make it easy to enjoy the ride even if you spend only one stop in the water.

The maximum group size is 34 people. That is not private, but it is small enough that the crew can keep an eye on swimmers and respond to requests without the impersonal feel of a much larger boat. The crew members frequently praised for their service include Captain Richard, Jamil, Jose Luis, Roger, and Jose, who helps at the beach hut and has been known to greet people with jokes and card tricks.

The mood is friendly and informal. Music plays, drinks are served, and the crew keeps the atmosphere moving without turning the trip into a loud party. Families, couples, groups of friends, and solo visitors can all fit into the mix.

The boat also has a restroom, a useful detail on a three-hour trip. You do not need to rush back to shore between the two swimming stops.

What the food really means at $79.99

At $79.99 per person, this is priced as a bundled boat outing rather than a simple snorkel transfer. Your cost includes the captain and crew, boat time, two snorkel stops, equipment, instruction, life jackets, an open cocktail bar, breakfast items, a souvenir, and restroom access.

The food is the part to judge carefully. The morning begins with pastries and mimosas, followed by small portions such as wraps, pinwheel sandwiches, fruit skewers, and mini sandwiches. Appetizers are served during the cruise, rather than presented as a large self-serve spread.

That approach suits you if you want something light with your drinks. It may disappoint you if brunch means a full plate of eggs, bacon, or a substantial hot meal. Some people find the snacks fresh and sufficient, while others want more food. I would have a modest breakfast before check-in, especially if you plan to snorkel twice.

The open bar adds real value for adults who want cocktails. Mimosas and Aruba Arriba drinks are part of the appeal, and soft drinks are available too. The crew can bring drinks to your seat, so you do not need to keep walking to a bar counter.

As with any open bar on a moving boat, drink at a sensible pace. You are still swimming, walking on a moving deck, and spending the morning in strong sun. Water, sun protection, and a clear head will improve the experience more than a third cocktail.

The Palm Beach start is easy, but arrive early

Check-in takes place at the Octopus Aruba beach hut near J.E. Irausquin Boulevard 87, suite 227, in Palm Beach. The listed departure is 9:00 a.m., with boarding handled before departure. Arriving early matters because the catamaran does not leave directly from the sand.

You first board a spacious shuttle boat, which carries up to 15 people at a time. The ride to the catamaran is only about 30 meters, or 98 feet, and the water in this area is described as calm throughout the year. You should still expect a short transfer rather than a walk straight onto the main boat.

The shuttle arrangement is worth knowing if anyone in your group moves slowly, needs extra help, or is managing children. Keep your party together during check-in, complete any required waiver promptly, and listen for boarding instructions. Missing the shuttle can create a serious problem because the catamaran operates on a fixed schedule.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to arrange your own way to Palm Beach, though the meeting point is near public transportation.

Sun, sea, and comfort details

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and anything you need for several hours outside. Aruba’s sun can feel stronger than it does from the beach, since you will spend much of the trip on open water with limited shade.

A hat and sunglasses are sensible, though you should secure them before the boat gets underway. A waterproof phone pouch is also useful if you want photos without risking your phone near the swim platform. Those items are personal suggestions, not included equipment.

Snorkel gear and safety life jackets are supplied. If you have your own mask that fits well, you may prefer to bring it, but the tour provides the basic equipment you need.

Families can bring children. One family used a small swim vest for a toddler, and the crew helped the adults snorkel while keeping the child safe on the catamaran. Still, every parent should judge the child’s comfort around boats and open water. The tour is suitable for most people, but swimming ability and sea conditions vary.

The activity requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. A minimum number of participants is also required, and a cancellation for that reason comes with the same choice of a new option or a refund.

Who will enjoy this more than a big party cruise

I would choose this outing if you want two well-known Aruba snorkel sites, drinks, and a comfortable boat without committing to a full-day charter. The three-hour length is especially practical for a morning when you have other plans later.

It suits couples who want a pleasant water outing, families with older children, and first-time snorkelers who appreciate instruction. It also works for groups of friends who want music and cocktails but still care about seeing the wreck and reef.

The 34-person limit makes it a better choice than a high-capacity party boat if personal service matters to you. The crew can help with masks, fins, boarding, and questions. The boat still has a social feel, so do not book it expecting silence or a private yacht atmosphere.

You may want another option if you need a large, filling brunch, dislike alcohol-centered outings, or want most of the trip spent in the water. You should also think twice if rougher water makes you anxious. The Malmok stop is friendlier, but the Antilla portion can be more demanding.

A fair look at the service

The strongest part of the experience is the crew. Captain Richard and the deck team are frequently described as attentive, cheerful, and ready to help. The personal touches at check-in, steady drink service, safety assistance, and encouragement for nervous snorkelers all matter more than fancy marketing.

There are also a few practical cautions. Check-in requires a waiver and can feel disorganized if you arrive close to departure. The operator states that vessels and safety equipment are inspected every six months, but you should still pay attention to the crew’s instructions and arrive early enough for boarding.

Food and drink expectations need the most adjustment. The advertised brunch is best understood as a light spread of fresh snacks with cocktails, not a full restaurant-style meal. Food quality and drink strength can vary with personal taste, so having breakfast first is the safest choice.

The 4.7 rating from 577 ratings and 92 percent recommendation rate point to a consistently strong experience, but not a perfect one. The lower ratings focus mainly on food quantity, drink strength, check-in communication, or individual expectations. Those issues are manageable if you know what you are buying.

Should you book the Octopus morning sail?

Book it if you want a polished half-day on the water with a famous shipwreck, a shallow reef stop, an open bar, and a small enough group for friendly service. At $79.99, the package makes sense when you value the boat ride, equipment, crew, drinks, and two snorkel locations together.

I would eat first, arrive early, protect yourself from the sun, and treat the food as appetizers. If you do that, the tour offers a good mix of activity and relaxation, with enough time to snorkel without taking over your entire day.

If you are choosing between this and a basic snorkel boat, the Octopus earns its higher price through comfort, service, drinks, music, and the Antilla stop. If you want a serious meal or hours of uninterrupted snorkeling, spend your money elsewhere. For an easy, social morning in Aruba, this is a sensible pick.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran sail from?

The tour starts at the Octopus Aruba beach hut near J.E. Irausquin Boulevard 87, suite 227, in Palm Beach, Aruba. It ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 9:00 a.m. Boarding takes place before departure, so arrive early enough to check in, complete the waiver, and board the shuttle boat.

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts approximately three hours. Each snorkeling stop lasts about 45 minutes, with sailing, food, drinks, and boarding time included.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkel equipment, fins, instruction, and safety life jackets are included. A certified first responder is also on board.

Is a full meal included?

Breakfast and brunch-style appetizers are included, along with pastries, fruit, wraps, pinwheel sandwiches, and similar small bites. This is not described as a full buffet meal, so eat beforehand if you need a substantial breakfast.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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