Private Boat Cruise with Snorkeling

The Antilla shipwreck is the star of this Aruba boat trip. The 400-foot German freighter rests just below the surface, giving you a remarkable underwater sight without joining a crowded booze cruise. Your captain can also take you to Malmok Reef, Boca Catalina, or Arashi Beach when conditions are calm.

I like the private format for two reasons: you can set the pace, and the captain can adjust the outing to your group. Guides such as Brandon, Gino, Oscar, and Edward have been praised for helping children, explaining the sites, and finding good snorkeling water. The main catch is that the best stops depend on sea conditions, and snorkel equipment is specifically included with the 2-hour option, so check your chosen package carefully.

Key points to know before you book

• The Antilla is the main attraction: This huge World War II freighter sits close to the surface and is one of Aruba’s most memorable snorkel sites.
• You get a private boat: The price covers your group of up to six, not six separate tickets.
• The route can be personal: Captains have adjusted outings for swimming, fish watching, children, scenic cruising, and snorkeling.
• Malmok offers variety: Shallow Boca Catalina, reef formations, and underwater caves give you more than one type of marine setting.
• Arashi depends on calm water: Its coral reef is appealing, but it may not be part of every outing.
• Check the duration details: Snorkel gear is included with the 2-hour option, while snorkel scooters are available only if selected.

Why a private boat makes sense in Aruba

Aruba has no shortage of group catamarans and party boats. Those can be fun, but this private cruise gives you something different: control. You are not tied to a fixed group pace, and your captain can spend more time on the places your group actually wants to enjoy.

The price is $199 per group of up to six. That works out to about $33 per person if you fill the boat, which is a fair price for a private outing. For two people, it becomes a much more expensive activity per person, but you are paying for privacy, flexibility, and direct attention from the captain.

The available outings range from about one to four hours. A one-hour trip is enough for a quick coastal ride, a swim, or one snorkeling stop. A four-hour trip gives you time to combine the Antilla, reef snorkeling, a shallow-water stop, and a scenic ride along the coast.

That flexibility is useful for families. One captain let a 10-year-old handle the music and a 13-year-old take the captain’s position briefly under supervision. Another group used its time for swimming and feeding fish instead of snorkeling. This is not a rigid sightseeing circuit. You can shape the experience around your group, within safety and sea conditions.

The Antilla shipwreck is the big event

The Antilla is a German freighter from World War II, more than 400 feet long. It lies just under the surface, which makes it easy to appreciate from above while snorkeling.

The scale is what makes this stop special. You are not looking at a small wreck fragment or a distant shape on the seafloor. The ship’s long body gives the site a clear sense of size, and the shallow position lets you see a good amount of it without needing advanced underwater skills.

That said, this is still open-water snorkeling. One detailed outing noted a significant current near the wreck. The captain anchored as close to the front of the ship as possible, choosing the safest practical position. Follow the captain’s instructions closely, especially if you are new to snorkeling or bringing children.

Captains such as Oscar and Edward have been praised for explaining the wreck and guiding people along its length. One outing worked from the back toward the front with the captain in the water. The exact route will depend on conditions, but personal guidance can make the wreck much easier to understand.

The Antilla is not a guaranteed stop under every condition. The cruise requires good weather, and the crew may change the plan when water or wind makes a location less suitable. That is a sensible tradeoff for safety, even if you arrive hoping for one exact photograph.

Malmok Reef gives you calmer variety

Malmok Reef is a useful contrast to the wreck. It includes shallow Boca Catalina Bay, reef along the shore, and underwater caves formed from ancient fossil reef.

This area can offer a wider mix of marine life than the wreck itself. You may find schools of fish, coral formations, and other sea life in water that feels less dramatic but easier to explore. Several outings included fish and turtle sightings, though wildlife is never something a captain can promise.

Malmok is a good choice for mixed groups. A strong swimmer may enjoy moving around the reef, while a less confident swimmer can stay in shallower water with help from the crew. One family used a shallow-water stop so a 6-year-old could play, then continued with a relaxed cruise.

The caves and fossil reef formations add visual interest, but you should not expect an underground expedition. Think of them as coastal reef features viewed from the water. The appeal comes from variety and access, not from a long, technical snorkel session.

Arashi Beach depends on the sea

Arashi Beach sits near Aruba’s California Lighthouse at the island’s western tip. In front of the beach is a reef with large elkhorn coral formations.

When the sea is calm, Arashi can be a pleasant snorkeling stop, especially if you want a beach setting along with your time in the water. It gives the outing a slower feel than the Antilla. You can enjoy the coast, coral, and clear water without making the wreck the entire focus.

The important phrase is when the sea is calm. Conditions control this stop. The captain may choose another area if the water is rough or visibility is poor. That is one reason the private format helps: the route can shift instead of forcing your whole group into a site that does not suit the day.

Your captain shapes the experience

The crew is a major part of this activity. Different captains have been singled out for different strengths. Brandon has been praised for keeping families engaged and tailoring the route. David reportedly asked what the group wanted before building the outing around those answers.

Eddie was noted for finding good places to see sea life while keeping the experience friendly and safety-minded. Gino helped children at snorkeling spots and personally showed them around. Oscar was praised for explaining the wreck and making the trip feel relaxed and personal.

These details matter more than a polished sales pitch. A private boat is only as good as the person running it. Here, the strongest pattern is hands-on attention. Captains have helped young children, adjusted the plan for non-snorkelers, and added a coastal ride when there was extra time.

You should not assume that you can request a particular captain unless the operator confirms it. The names above show the kind of service you might receive, not a guaranteed assignment.

What the different time options really mean

A one-hour cruise is best for a short taste of the coast. You might choose it if you want a private ride, a swim, or a quick snorkeling stop without giving up half a day.

The 2-hour option is the practical middle ground. It includes snorkeling equipment and gives you enough time for at least one substantial water stop, though the exact route depends on conditions. If snorkeling is your main goal, this is the shortest option I would seriously consider.

The 4-hour option offers the most value for a full group. You have time to visit several snorkeling areas, pause in shallow water, and enjoy a longer coastal cruise. One outing included three snorkeling stops, a shallow-water area for a young child, and a relaxed ride downtown and around the cruise ship.

Read the package details before paying. The supplied information specifically lists snorkeling gear with the 2-hour option only. Snorkel scooters are available if you select that option. Do not assume the equipment or scooter comes with every duration.

Comfort, equipment, and small practical details

Snorkeling equipment is provided with the applicable package, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins for that option. Life vests were also provided on one outing, and sanitized gear was noted.

A cooler with cold water was available on one detailed trip. You may be allowed to bring snacks and adult beverages, but confirm current rules before packing anything. The boat used by one group was described as clean and comfortable, with speakers for music.

The meeting point is in Palm Beach, Noord, and the activity returns there. It is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying in the Palm Beach area. The credit card holder must be present at check-in with a photo ID or a copy of an ID card, driver’s license, or passport.

The boat is private for your group only, with a maximum of six people. That makes it especially useful for a family or a small group of friends. One family even brought a Yorkie, but treat that as an example rather than a guaranteed pet policy. Ask Delphi Watersports before arriving with an animal.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this activity for a family that wants flexibility. Children can swim in shallow water while stronger swimmers explore a reef, and the captain can adjust the pace. The private setting also makes it easier to take breaks without holding up a large group.

It suits couples and friends who dislike party boats. You can play music, cruise the coast, and decide how much time to spend snorkeling. You also avoid paying for a full group excursion when your priority is a personal outing.

It is less ideal if you need a guaranteed, fixed route. The Antilla, Malmok, and Arashi are the intended highlights, but weather and water conditions may change the plan. It is also less cost-effective for only one or two people unless privacy is especially important to you.

Non-swimmers can still enjoy the coastal ride and swimming stops, but this is fundamentally a water activity. If nobody in your group wants to get in the sea, you may get better value from a dedicated sightseeing cruise.

Price, weather, and cancellation

At $199 for up to six people, the value improves sharply when you fill the boat. A group of six pays about $33 each, while a couple pays nearly $100 each. Compare that with the privacy and ability to choose your pace, not just with the price of a seat on a large boat.

Good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the activity, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, the payment is not refunded, and changes are not accepted.

Should you book the Aruba private snorkeling cruise?

Book it if you want the Antilla without a large party boat, have a group of up to six, or need a captain who can adjust the day around children and mixed swimming abilities. The private format, personal guidance, and choice between wreck, reef, beach, and coastal cruising are the strongest reasons to go.

Before booking, confirm the duration, included snorkel gear, scooter option, and meeting details. Choose two hours for a focused snorkeling outing and four hours if you want several stops and an unhurried day on the water. If the sea is calm and your group values privacy, this is a strong Aruba activity. If you need a guaranteed route or are traveling alone, the value is less convincing.

FAQ

Where does the private boat cruise start?

The cruise starts at Palm Beach in Noord, Aruba.

Where does the activity end?

The cruise ends back at the meeting point in Palm Beach.

How long does the cruise last?

The available duration is approximately one to four hours, depending on the option selected.

How many people can join the private cruise?

The price covers one private group of up to six people.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling equipment is listed as included with the 2-hour option. Check the details of your selected duration before booking.

Are snorkel scooters included?

Snorkel scooters are available if you select that option. They are not automatically included in every booking.

Which snorkeling sites may the boat visit?

Possible stops include the Antilla shipwreck, Malmok Reef, Boca Catalina, and Arashi Beach. The actual route depends on sea and weather conditions.

Can children participate?

Most people can participate, and several outings included children. The captain may adjust the route for a child’s age and comfort, but conditions and swimming ability still matter.

Do I need to bring identification?

The credit card holder must attend check-in and bring a photo ID or a copy of an ID card, driver’s license, or passport.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

You can be offered another date or receive a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.