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What makes snorkeling in Aruba so good?
Gently sloping, white-sand shores and spectacular visibility make snorkeling in Aruba a delight. Warm, turquoise waters and dazzling coral reefs accessible straight from the beach mean it’s easy to explore the underwater world. This bright and welcoming island of 70 square miles (129 km2) is located in the southern Caribbean, approximately 15 miles (24 km) off the coast of Venezuela, along with its neighbors Bonaire and Curaçao — fondly known together as the “ABC islands.”
The western side of the island is sheltered from the perpetual eastern trade winds, leading to calm, clear water that remains around 82 F (28 C) year-round. Typical depths range from 3 to 15 feet (1 to 4.5 m), creating a veritable snorkeling paradise. Colorful coral reefs flourish in these areas, rich with hundreds of species of tropical fish. Other iconic marine life includes sea turtles, southern stingrays, and spotted eagle rays.
The local people and government prioritize preservation of the natural treasures here too through sustainable tourism, taking notable action on this front by establishing the Parke Marino Aruba, which includes multiple Marine Protected Areas. These important policies ensure high-quality snorkeling in Aruba by encouraging the conservation of large fish populations and pristine coral reef systems for years to come.
Ready to get your feet wet and find out why Aruba is known as “One Happy Island?” Pack your beach bags (no single-use plastic bags allowed here!), throw on your gear, and find out what makes snorkeling in Aruba so special.
Antilla Shipwreck
The SS Antilla, a German supply ship from World War II, was scuttled and sank to the seabed in 1940. Over the decades, corals and sponges have colonized and covered every surface of the 400-foot-long vessel (122 m), one of the largest shipwrecks in the entire Caribbean.
The ship rests at a maximum depth of 60 feet (18 m), which snorkelers can often see thanks to excellent visibility. The starboard side of the ship also extends all the way to the water’s surface, making this a phenomenal snorkeling and freediving experience. In addition to the diverse coral life, the wreck is home to moray eels, lobsters, large schools of grunts, and other tropical fish.
Location: Northwest coast
Price: Tour required
Arashi Beach
This wide, gently sloping bay at the top of the island offers colorful snorkeling from around 5 to 20 feet (1.5 to 6 m), with typically calm currents and excellent visibility. The coral reef here runs parallel to shore and is loaded with life. Bright damselfish, jacks, filefish, angelfish, parrotfish, and blue tangs are all common.
Arashi is also a sea turtle nesting beach, with nesting season occurring from March through September. During this time, you may spot these graceful creatures swimming through the seagrass beds nearby.
There is easy access to the beach through the free parking area or by the local Arubus. You can find a small beach bar and cabanas on the beach itself, as well as some restaurants nearby. Try climbing the California Lighthouse while you’re in the area, which has exquisite sweeping views of the island after you ascend the 123 spiral stairs.
Location: Northwest coast at northern point of the island
Price: Free – Beach Access
Baby Beach
One of the most picturesque beaches on the island, Baby Beach is an enclosed half-moon bay of clear, aquamarine water. The mouth to the open ocean is partially blocked by sandbars, so the calm, inner water stays free from waves and swell.
You can snorkel in water up to around 15 feet (3 m) here, but there are extensive shallow areas where you can touch the bottom. Be careful, though, not to step on any of the corals, sea urchins, or anemones that live throughout the bay. Swimming around the corals are vibrant parrotfish, crabs, damselfish, and sometimes larger beauties like silver gleaming tarpon and barracuda.
Restaurants, bars, and shops are all nearby, and there is one bathroom area on the beach.
Location: South end of island
Price: Free – Beach Access
Boca Catalina
With soft, shining sand stretching for 1,000 feet (300 m) along clear blue water from 5 to 20 ft deep (1.5 to 6 m), the sheltered cove of Boca Catalina has earned the reputation as the most popular snorkeling site on the island. Schooling silver palometas often roam the sandy shallows, and coral formations dot slightly deeper waters, creating homes for creatures such as boxy trunkfish and elegant French angelfish.
This is also one of the best places for sea turtle encounters in the rolling sea grass beds, especially during the morning when waters are calmer. On even luckier days, you might see pods of spinner dolphins, curious creatures known for their tightly twisting aerial acrobatics. If you do find yourself among these impressive animals, keep your arms by your sides and simply enjoy.
For access to this site, park along the road. Note, however, that the area can become quite busy on the weekends with locals and visiting tourists. If you can stay all day, don’t miss the stunning sunset from this picturesque vantage point. Some beach chairs are available for rent to lounge in as well.
Location: Northwest coast
Price: Free – Beach Access; snorkel boat tours available to Catalina Cove
De Palm Island
If you’re looking for a more exclusive experience for one or more days, you can try an all-inclusive resort on the narrow coral barrier island of De Palm Island (or similar Renaissance Island nearby), just off the mainland west coast. Choose from customizable packages that include food and drink, guided snorkel tours, and other recreation such as waterparks, cabana access near the local flock of flamingos, or more unusual underwater activities like gliding or walking along the seabed with Snuba or Sea Trek experiences.
The island offers a stunning Caribbean setting, surrounded by lush coral reefs that are home to charismatic sea creatures like parrotfish, southern stingrays, octopuses, and schools of blue tangs.
Location: De Palm Island off west coast
Price: Island admission package required (approx. $130 full day, food and drink inclusive); beach access snorkeling and additional tours available
Eagle Beach
Yet another stunning area of soft, white sand and clear, blue water, Eagle Beach is close to the city of Oranjestad, the multicultural island capital where you can explore Dutch architecture and local culture.
The beach is famous for two iconic fofoti trees with gnarled, twisty trunks that make for perfect sunset photos, and offers an easy snorkel site for beginners in reach of city life, restaurants, and shops. There are no reef formations here, but you can still find plenty of fish and crabs to swim with along the sandy bottom, and you might be lucky enough to meet a sea turtle, as this is another nesting beach on Aruba.
Location: Northwest coast
Price: Free – Beach Access
Malmok Beach
Malmok Beach offers two white, sandy beach areas dotted with rocky formations and crevices to explore when underwater. Close to shore, these rocky outcrops host colorful sponges and smaller fish.
You can swim further out to depths of around 10 feet (3 m) to see coral reef formations rich with soft sea whips, blade corals, distinctively patterned star corals, and fire corals, which cause a painful sting if touched. Schools of parrotfish and snapper commonly cruise the reef here, and watch for camouflaged trumpetfish hanging among branches of soft corals or goatfish probing sandy patches of the seabed for food with the barbels on their chins.
As with most beaches on the west coast of the island, this site is easy to access by bus or free parking. You can find shade under a few cabanas, but the beach gets busy in the afternoon, so aim for morning hours if you are looking for a quieter experience. Pack a bag too, as there are no facilities.
Location: Northwest coast
Price: Free – Beach Access; Boat tours available
Mangel Halto
This secluded bay and pearly white beach is tucked in between the mangroves, offering shallow, sheltered waters full of brightly colored sponges, sea fans, and anemones, along with parrotfish, gaping-mouthed sand divers (think cutely ferocious underwater lizard), and occasional stingrays gliding through.
More-experienced swimmers can venture out from the mouth of the bay to the reef where currents tend to be stronger. White marker buoys show access points to the most pristine natural areas of the reef, as well as a submerged tugboat by the closest buoy. In these deeper waters of approximately 10 to 30 feet (3 to 9 m), you can typically see sergeant majors, angelfish, butterflyfish, big-eyed pufferfish, and sometimes sea turtles.
You can easily access this area from a large platform and ladder into the bay. Pack a bag with water, snacks, and your snorkel gear since there are no facilities on the beach here.
Location: Southwest coast near Spanish Lagoon
Price: Free – Beach Access
Tres Trapi (“Three Steps”)
This iconic area holds a tiny, 30-foot (10 m) sand beach surrounded by rocky formations, with stair steps chiseled into the rock itself to lead you into the water.
For the first 100 feet (30 m) off the beach, you can snorkel over sandy stretches alongside a few open-water roamers like Bermuda chub and bar jack. Beyond this area, Tres Trapi is known for clusters of dozens of Caribbean cushion sea stars that slowly inch along on the sandy bottom. These underwater starry fields show up in many color variations, from light pinks and tans to bright carnelian reds. You can easily explore the clear water here from around 3 to 13 feet deep (1 to 4 m).
Pack a bag with water and snacks, as there are no facilities or restaurants nearby.
Location: Northwest coast just south of Boca Catalina
Price: Free – Beach Access
Ready, Set, Snorkel
The warm, sunny island of Aruba is an easygoing snorkeler’s dream, with diverse sea life and reefs right off the many scenic beaches around the coast. This small, friendly island has lots to offer in and out of the water, and you can easily fill a nonstop schedule with adventure. Try snorkeling, paddleboarding, and kayaking, or explore Arikok National Park and the dramatically rugged east coast with wonders like the Conchi Natural Pool.
Whether you’re a beginner or advanced snorkeler, it’s always smart to come prepared and refreshed on the basics. Read over our snorkeling guide before you get in the water.
Can’t decide where to stay? Check out our guide to the islands’ best all-inclusives!
Let us know if we missed any of your favorite snorkeling in Aruba in the comment section below!
Frequently asked questions
The weather in Aruba tends to be beautiful year-round, with plenty of sunny days and steady water temperatures from around 79 to 85 F (26 to 29 C). Temperatures are warmest from April through November, though steady trade winds make time in the sun more pleasant.
This period is considered the low season for tourism, so prices are typically lower at this time of year as well. If you’re looking for extra celebratory fun, try a visit during Carnival season in January and February.
We recommend having your own, especially if you plan on doing a lot of snorkeling, as rental equipment is not always easy to find. Some local shops will have masks, snorkels, and fins for rent, and most tours will provide snorkeling gear, but the condition of the equipment varies. Bringing your own gear is a safe bet for being comfortable and having fun.
Lionfish are usually the most serious animal danger to snorkelers and divers due to their venomous fin rays, though they move slowly and are not aggressive toward humans. Just make sure you keep some distance from them when snorkeling or diving.
You can also be a citizen scientist and help the fight to control this harmful, invasive species by reporting lionfish sightings to the Aruba Lionfish Initiative Foundation or training with them to be a certified Lionfish Hunter to help remove this species from the reef ecosystem.
- Don’t forget sun protection and reef-safe sunscreen. Consider a rash guard also for optimal sun protection while snorkeling.
- Don’t touch any coral or other sea life, including with your fins.
- Don’t collect any natural items, like seashells.
- Don’t go snorkeling alone, and make sure you check the weather so you don’t get in too far over your head. Be aware of your environment and make sure you’re comfortable with your gear before getting in the water.
For more tips, check out our complete guide to snorkeling!
With extra awareness of your environment and a good dive light, yes! Other types of marine life come out at night, such as squid, shrimp, octopus, and giant sea worms, as well as bioluminescent plankton—pure ocean magic! Guided night snorkel tours are also available at many spots in the Turks and Caicos.
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