Palm Pleasure Morning Sail, 3 Stops, Buffet

Aruba Morning Snorkel Sail aboard Palm Pleasure Catamaran

★ 4.7 708 reviews

from $124 per person

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

Duration: 4 hours
Meeting point: De Palm Pier, Palm Beach
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Meal: Included
Run by: De Palm Tours VBA

Overview

This is a four-hour morning catamaran sail, built around three snorkel stops with roughly 30 to 45 minutes in the water at each one. The Palm Pleasure is a large catamaran that carries up to 80 travellers, with a shaded lower deck and nets where guests can stretch out and lounge between stops.

The route starts and ends at De Palm Pier, between the Hilton and RIU Palace on J.E. Irausquin Blvd. From there the boat heads out to a sequence of snorkel sites that reviewers consistently describe in the same order: a deep shipwreck first, then two shallower reefs where sea turtles and colorful fish show up in numbers. Several travellers noted that hitting the wreck first means fewer competing boats at that stop, though the current there is stronger than at the other two. The shallower stops are more forgiving, and multiple reviews mention crew helping anyone who needed it.

Food and drink are a big part of the draw. A lunch buffet and an open bar are included, and reviewers repeatedly say the drinks were not watered down and the food was fresh and plentiful. Gratuities and transportation are not included, and the minimum age is 3. It suits couples, families with school-age kids, and anyone who wants a lively, sociable boat rather than a quiet one.

What's Included

Included

Sailing Excursion
Lunch buffet
Open bar
Local taxes
Use of snorkelling equipment

Not Included

Gratuities
Transportation

Itinerary

Check-in at De Palm PierWalk down the walkway between the Hilton and RIU Palace to the Coconuts Gift Shop on De Palm pier and check in at the counter. Check-in is 30 minutes before departure.
Depart on the catamaranThe Palm Pleasure sails out from De Palm pier. Snorkel equipment is included, and one reviewer found everything thoroughly explained.
Stop 1: deep wreck siteThe first snorkel stop is a sunken ship, described by reviewers as the deepest stop with the strongest current. About 30 minutes.
Stop 2: Arashi BeachRoughly 30 minutes of snorkel time at this beach stop. Reviewers report sea turtles and schools of fish across the trip's stops. Free admission.
Stop 3: shallower reefThe final snorkel stop, one of the shallower sites where marine life is easy to view closely. About 30 minutes.
Boca Catalina, passing byThe listing notes this site as a passing by or short stop, with no separate snorkel time listed.
Return to De Palm PierThe trip ends at the same pier where it began, with lunch buffet and open bar included during the sail.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points come up again and again in the listing and in traveller reviews, and they shape how this trip feels.

What to bring. The listing recommends a beach towel and sunscreen. Snorkel equipment is provided, so mask, fins and snorkel do not need to travel with you.
Pace and water ability. The first stop is the deepest and has the strongest current of the three, so cautious swimmers may prefer to stay near the boat there. Several reviewers said the crew actively helped less confident snorkelers, and the two shallower stops are forgiving.
Group feel. The boat holds up to 80 travellers, though one reviewer said it never felt crowded and another reported a sailing with about 30 people where nobody bumped into each other. Group size varies by departure.
Food and drink. Lunch buffet and open bar are included, and reviewers consistently praise both. Several people specifically noted the drinks were full strength and plentiful.
Getting there. Transportation and hotel pickup are not included, so plan your own way to De Palm pier between the Hilton and RIU Palace. Arrive 30 minutes early to check in at the Coconuts counter.
Comfort and shade. Reviewers describe a lower shaded deck plus nets for lounging in the sun. That split makes it easy to cool off or warm up as you like during the sail.

Common issues. Transportation, hotel pickup and gratuities are not included, and the tour is not wheelchair accessible. Weather matters: the operator can cancel for poor conditions, and one reviewer on a tight schedule was unable to rebook and disputed the refund after a thunderstorm morning. The strong current at the first, deepest stop is worth knowing about if anyone in your group is a nervous swimmer.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Price?

The sailing excursion, lunch buffet, open bar, local taxes and use of snorkel equipment are all included. Gratuities, transportation and hotel pickup are not included.

Where Does The Tour Meet And Is Hotel Pickup Available?

Check-in is at the Coconuts Gift Shop counter on De Palm pier, reached by the walkway between the Hilton and RIU Palace on J.E. Irausquin Blvd. Pickup is not included, so you make your own way there and should arrive 30 minutes before departure.

How Long Is The Tour And How Much Time Do You Get In The Water?

The sail runs four hours total. You get roughly 30 to 45 minutes of snorkeling at each of the three stops, with lunch and drinks available on board.

Is It Suitable For Kids And People With Limited Mobility?

The minimum age is 3 and most travellers can participate. The boat is not wheelchair accessible, so anyone with mobility concerns should weigh that before booking.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted, and cut-off times follow local Aruba time. If the operator cancels for bad weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

What Should You Bring?

A beach towel and sunscreen are recommended by the listing. Snorkel gear is provided.