Arusun Catamaran Sail with Snorkeling in Aruba

The best part of the Arusun trip is the mix of real time on the water and easy snorkeling. You sail along Aruba’s coast on a roomy 65-foot catamaran, then stop at the Antilla Shipwreck and Catalina Bay for two very different looks below the surface. Amanda, Ronnie, Gabriel, and other crew members have been praised for keeping the mood warm, funny, and safe.

I like the small maximum of 35 passengers, especially on sailings that carry only eight or nine people. I also like the clear value: at $63, you get a 2.5-hour cruise, snorkel gear, snacks, and an open bar with rum, whiskey, vodka, juices, soda, and water. The main caution is the party mood. One particularly unhappy passenger found the music too loud, so this is not always a quiet sail.

Key points before you book

• Two snorkel stops: The Antilla Shipwreck offers a dramatic first stop, while Catalina Bay gives you a shallower reef setting.
• Room to spread out: The Arusun has sun, shade, a shaded rear section, and lounging nets near the bow.
• A short zodiac transfer: You board a small rubber boat at Palm Beach, then ride out to the catamaran.
• Food and drinks included: Expect light snacks such as wraps and fruit, plus an open bar.
• Good value at $63: The price covers the main extras that often cost more on boat trips.
• Music can shape the mood: Expect a social sailing, not a guaranteed peaceful nature cruise.

Boarding the Arusun at Palm Beach

Your meeting point is the Aruba Watersports Center at J.E. Irausquin Boulevard 81-B in Noord. The boat does not leave directly from the beach. You check in at the pier, then board a zodiac rubber boat that carries you out to the Arusun.

That small transfer adds a little adventure at the start, but it also matters for anyone with limited mobility. You need to step into the zodiac and later back out of it, so this trip calls for a moderate level of fitness. One direct piece of advice: I would not choose this outing for very young children or anyone who has trouble climbing between small boats.

Once aboard, you have more room than the price might suggest. The Arusun is a 65-foot catamaran with a broad deck, shaded seating at the rear, open sun areas, and nets at the front. You can change spots as the day goes on. Sit in the shade when the sun feels strong, take a place in the breeze, or stretch out near the bow while the boat is moving.

The maximum is 35 passengers. That is not a private charter, but the boat is large enough that the group may not feel cramped. Several sailings have been especially small, with eight or nine people aboard. If you prefer space and personal attention, booking a less popular departure may make a real difference, though the group size can change.

A relaxed sail with a social edge

The cruise lasts about two and a half hours, with morning and afternoon departures available. The pace gives you enough time for a proper boat ride, two water stops, and a little lounging between swims. It is short enough to fit neatly into a beach day.

The crew is a major part of the experience. Captains and first mates have included Amanda, Ronnie, Gabriel, and Rashim, depending on the sailing. Amanda has been singled out for clear information and humor, while Ronnie is often described as attentive and quick to check that everyone has what they need. The crew helps with safety instructions, snorkeling gear, and the general flow of the trip.

You should expect an outgoing atmosphere. The crew interacts with passengers, keeps the mood light, and serves drinks throughout the cruise. The open bar includes whisky, rum, vodka, juices, soda, and water. Several people have singled out rum punch and the captain’s special as good choices.

The important distinction is that this is not purely a sailing lesson or a quiet eco-cruise. Music is part of the experience, and at least one sailing had loud club music for much of the ride. If you want a floating party with snorkeling added, that may suit you well. If you want to hear only wind and water, ask yourself how much noise you can tolerate before booking.

First stop: the Antilla Shipwreck

When conditions allow, the first snorkeling stop is the Antilla Shipwreck. The Antilla is one of Aruba’s best-known underwater sights, and it gives this outing a clear focal point beyond simple swimming.

You use the provided mask, snorkel, and fins, then enter the water near the wreck. The ship draws fish and other marine life, and several people have described colorful fish around the structure. You may also see coral and schools of fish, though the exact visibility and marine life depend on the day.

The wreck stop can feel busy. The site may have swimmers, snorkelers, and scuba divers sharing the water. That does not erase the appeal of seeing a sunken ship, but it does mean you should not expect a private encounter with the wreck. Stay aware of other people in the water and listen carefully to the crew’s safety guidance.

The water can also have a current. One person described the current as strong, while another noted that conditions were not ideal but still found enough fish and wreck detail to make the stop worthwhile. If you are a nervous first-time snorkeler, the first few minutes may feel uneasy. Use the fins, take your time, and stay near the crew or the boat until you get comfortable.

For experienced snorkelers, the Antilla stop is likely the trip’s strongest moment. You get a clear subject to explore instead of simply swimming over open water. It is also the reason I would choose this cruise over a basic sightseeing sail if snorkeling matters to you.

Second stop: Catalina Bay and Boca Catalina

The second stop is at Catalina Bay, also called Boca Catalina in some descriptions. This stop offers a useful contrast to the wreck. The water is shallower, and you explore a reef area rather than one large underwater structure.

Fish are the main attraction here. You might see schools moving through the water, parrotfish, and other reef life. Sea turtles have also appeared during some outings, though nobody should book this trip with a turtle sighting as a promise. One turtle was seen just as the boat was preparing to leave, which is a good reminder that wildlife sightings are a matter of timing.

Catalina Bay can suit less experienced snorkelers better than the wreck because the water is shallower. Still, conditions vary, and you should be comfortable in open water and able to manage the supplied equipment. The crew gives safety instructions and helps with gear, but this is not a supervised swimming lesson.

I like the order of the stops. The wreck gives you the big visual feature first. Catalina Bay then provides a calmer, more open reef setting where you can look for fish and enjoy the water without focusing on one large object. Together, the stops make the short outing feel varied.

Snacks, drinks, and what the $63 covers

At $63 per person, this cruise offers solid value for a short Aruba excursion. The price includes snorkeling equipment, snacks, and unlimited drinks from the open bar. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach the Palm Beach meeting point yourself.

The snacks are light rather than a full meal. Descriptions include wraps, sandwiches, and fruit. That is enough to take the edge off during a 2.5-hour outing, but I would eat something beforehand if you plan to make the cruise your main activity around lunchtime.

The drinks are more generous than the usual single welcome punch. Alcoholic choices include whisky, rum, and vodka, along with juices, soda, and water. Several people have specifically liked that the drinks did not seem watered down. You can take it easy with water or soda, but anyone drinking alcohol should remember that sun, motion, and swimming can magnify its effects.

This is where the price makes sense. A boat ride alone may not feel cheap for two and a half hours, but the included gear, snacks, and drinks remove several extra charges. You are paying for a social day on the water rather than a highly specialized snorkeling expedition.

A vegetarian option is available, but you need to request it when booking. Make that request early instead of hoping the crew can prepare something at the last minute.

How crowded is the boat?

The published maximum is 35 passengers, and that is the number to plan around. The Arusun is large, with enough deck space to prevent the outing from feeling like a packed beach transfer. You can sit in the sun, find shade at the back, or use the forward nets.

Actual group size may be much smaller. Some sailings have carried only eight or nine people, giving the boat a near-private feel. That smaller group also allows the crew to spend more time helping with equipment and checking on individual passengers.

You cannot count on getting a small group, so I would not book it solely for that reason. Instead, think of the 35-person limit as a reasonable ceiling on a boat designed for more room than a small speedboat. If you are looking for guaranteed privacy, book a private charter instead. If you want a comfortable shared cruise with the chance of a quieter departure, the Arusun is a good middle ground.

The same applies to the tone. Some departures may feel relaxed and easygoing. Others may lean harder into music, drinks, and group energy. The crew’s style is friendly and involved, but the trip is built for fun rather than silence.

Who should book the Arusun?

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want several Aruba experiences in one compact outing:

• A proper sail along the coast
• Two opportunities to snorkel
• A famous shipwreck
• Reef fish and a chance of seeing turtles
• A spacious catamaran
• Drinks and light food included
• A crew that takes part in the fun

It works well for couples, families with older children, groups of friends, and cruise ship passengers with time to reach Palm Beach. One cruise ship passenger found the taxi ride to the beach simple and also had an easy return from the taxi stand near the Hilton.

I would be more cautious if you dislike loud music, prefer a quiet nature trip, or have limited mobility. The zodiac transfer and in-water activity require physical effort. The tour also depends on weather and sea conditions. Even when the crew allows snorkeling, visibility and current can affect what you see.

Children can enjoy it, but age alone is not the only issue. The water, transfer boats, current, and deck setup matter. Older children and teens may handle the outing well. For small children, I would choose a calmer and more controlled water activity.

Booking, timing, and cancellation details

You can choose a morning or afternoon departure. The tour ends back at the Aruba Watersports Center, so plan your own transport both ways. The meeting point is near public transportation, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not part of the package.

You receive confirmation when you book, and the ticket is mobile. That makes check-in simple, provided your phone is charged and easy to access.

Free cancellation applies when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes during that period are not accepted. The operator may cancel for poor weather or because the minimum number of passengers is not met. In either case, you can receive a different date or a full refund.

Should you book the Arusun?

Book it if you want good value, friendly crew service, and two distinct snorkeling stops without spending a full day on the water. The Antilla Shipwreck gives the trip a memorable centerpiece, while Catalina Bay adds reef fish, shallower water, and a chance of sea turtles. The open bar and snacks make the $63 price especially fair.

Skip it if your ideal boat ride is quiet, uncrowded, and free of party music. You should also look elsewhere if you need hotel transportation or cannot manage the zodiac transfer. For everyone else, the Arusun offers a practical balance: enough sailing to feel like a real outing, enough snorkeling to keep the water lovers happy, and enough food and drink to make the short cruise feel complete.

FAQ

How long is the Arusun catamaran cruise?

The experience lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, including the cruise and snorkeling stops.

Where does the tour meet?

You meet at the Aruba Watersports Center at J.E. Irausquin Boulevard 81-B in Noord, Aruba.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

No. Hotel pickup and hotel drop-off are not included. You are responsible for reaching the meeting point and returning afterward.

How do you reach the catamaran?

After checking in at the Palm Beach pier, you board a zodiac rubber boat that takes you out to the Arusun.

What snorkeling sites are included?

The planned stops are the Antilla Shipwreck and Catalina Bay, also referred to as Boca Catalina. The Antilla stop takes place when conditions permit.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

What drinks and food are included?

The open bar includes whisky, rum, vodka, juices, soda, and water. Snacks are also included, with wraps, sandwiches, and fruit described as part of the food service.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather or an insufficient number of passengers causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.