Snorkeling in Aruba
Aruba’s calm, crystalline waters and stunning marine life provide the perfect backdrop for one of our visitors’ favorite activities - snorkeling. Whether you’re just beginning or a master snorkeler, Aruba’s got the perfect spot for your snorkeling adventure!
Here are our picks for Aruba’s top 5 snorkeling locations:
1. Baby Beach
It’s hard to pick a favorite Aruban beach - because they’re all so fantastic - but Baby Beach in San Nicolas is at the top of many travelers’ lists. Baby Beach Bay gets mixed reviews for snorkeling. Just make sure you’re mindful of the currents and stay within the designated swimming area. Novice snorkelers will love getting the hang of their fins close to the shoreline in the calm shallows. More seasoned snorkelers have a better than average chance of seeing turtles grazing on seagrass in deeper water. Either way, you won’t regret making the scenic trip to Sunrise City on the easternmost tip of Aruba.
2. Arashi Beach
Popular with locals, Arashi is a wonderful place to spend a beach day. Arashi boasts white sand dotted with palapas, chairs for rent, refreshments, ample parking, and calm waters that are perfect for snorkeling. You won’t see much marine activity in the swimming area but if you head toward the California Lighthouse, you’ll find a shallow, rocky spot where all the cool fish hang out.
3. Boca Catalina
Boca Catalina is a tiny inlet nestled on Aruba’s South side between Malmok and Arashi Beach. Best known as the location of the wrecked German cargo ship Antilla, Boca Catalina is also home to a cavalcade of colorful fish and beautiful aquatic plant life. Just north of the beach, in Catalina Cove, you might even see one of the sea turtles that call Aruba home. Boca Catalina is a great place for novice snorkelers because you’ll see a lot of activity close to the shore.
4. Malmok
Malmok is one of the most popular sites for snorkeling tours on Aruba. Located East of the highrise hotels, Malmok is a long, slender strip of beach that features several rocky coves where you can find schools of exotic fish. Since the fish at Malmok are used to being fed by tour groups, you might find that they’re as interested in you as you are in them!
5. Mangel Halto
Mangel Halto is a beautiful, secluded beach that’s surrounded by stately mangrove trees. Mangel Halto is an excellent place for advanced snorkelers because it features a shallow water reef and fantastic sea creatures such as; coral, sea sponges, anemones, and a host of tropical fish. Mangel Halto is recommended for experienced snorkelers because of its proximity to the open sea. Make sure you have favorable weather conditions, calm currents and a snorkel buddy before you descend the ladder at the end of Mangel Halto’s sun deck into the crystal blue snorkeling paradise that awaits you.