●●●○#1 of 67 Outdoor Activities in Noord

Around Aruba Tours

Name: Around Aruba Tours
Rating: 4.9

★★★★½4.9 out of 5 · 7,646 reviews

land

outdoor

Photo: © Management via TripAdvisor

Around Aruba Tours is a land tour rated 4.9/5 by 7,646 TripAdvisor reviewers; from about $100 per person; lasts 4 hours.

About

Around Aruba Tours runs UTV excursions out of Noord, and the #1 ranking among outdoor activities in the area reflects thousands of trips without drama. This is a four-hour route through Arikok and the natural sites on the east side—caves, the Natural Bridge ruins, Alto Vista Chapel—straightforward land touring without the add-ons some operators bundle in. The price sits at $100, which puts it between the budget half-day trips and the seven-hour safaris that include natural pool swims and cruise port coordination. What you're paying for is reliable organization and the UTV format itself, which handles the dirt roads better than most rental cars and feels more hands-on than riding in a van. The 4.9 rating across 7,600-plus reviews suggests the operation runs consistently. If you want the longer day with natural pool access, ABC Tours offers that at a higher tier. If you just want the backcountry without committing to a full-day schedule, this is the middle option that works.

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At a glance

Category: land
Duration: 4 hours
Price: $100
Minimum age: None
Intensity: ●●●○○
Setting: outdoor
Booking partner: direct
Product ID: —

How to decide

✓You want a mid-priced UTV option focused on Arikok and natural sites without extended tour commitments
✓You prefer a venue that consolidates multiple activities in one location rather than single-focus excursions
✓You value a proven reliable operator for straightforward organized land tours

You want a longer, more comprehensive safari with natural pool visits and cruise coordination—ABC Tours Aruba offers 7-hour tours with more inclusions
You prefer water-based activities or beach venues with slides and snorkeling—De Palm Tours specializes in aquatic experiences at lower cost

Around Aruba Tours sits between ABC Tours Aruba's premium 7-hour safaris and budget options like De Palm Tours or Fofoti Tours at $75. While ABC Tours Aruba provides longer excursions with natural pool access and family-friendly customization, Around Aruba Tours delivers a focused 4-hour UTV experience at $100 with consolidated multi-activity options that travelers confirm as reliably organized.

Photos

group photo. infront of Philip's Animal Gatden

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Visiting in October?

You're visiting during shoulder season when crowds are moderate and construction is common at several resorts. Weather is warm and humid, with occasional rain showers, but beaches remain beautiful. October sees returning visitors enjoying quieter beaches and Eagle Beach's exceptional calm waters.

Based on 150 traveler reports

Recent Pulse

What travelers are saying.

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High confidence

Travelers say Around Aruba Tours delivers a consistently well-organized four-hour UTV adventure through Arikok's backcountry at the $100 price point. You'll hit the north coast, caves, natural sites, and Alto Vista Chapel while genuinely getting dirty on intermediate off-road terrain that rental cars can't handle. The standout element is the opening stop at Phillip's Animal Garden—feeding goats, donkeys, and deer before the ride—which multiple reviews call a highlight. Guides like Dave, Igel, Albert, and Danny earn frequent praise for energetic delivery, historical context, and taking strong photos at each stop.

Standing out

Guides deliver humor, historical context, and strong photography at every stop
28 mentions
“Dave kept us laughing while explaining Aruba's history and took fantastic photos we'd never get ourselves”
Phillip's Animal Garden opening lets you feed goats, donkeys, and deer before the off-road portion starts
9 mentions
“Starting at the animal garden to feed the animals was a highlight we didn't expect from a UTV tour”
Real intermediate off-road terrain covers rocky coastal vantages rental cars cannot reach
12 mentions
“The terrain those UTVs handled was unreal—rocky paths and coastline views no normal car could access”
Cruise port coordination and punctual pickup/drop-off eliminate stress for ship passengers
4 mentions
“Pickup and drop-off at the port were perfectly timed—no stress about missing the ship”
Four-hour duration hits major sites without feeling rushed or dragging into a full day
6 mentions
“Four hours was perfect—we saw everything without being exhausted or feeling hurried”

Watch-outs

UTVs look older and less polished than competitors' fleets, though mechanically reliable
1 mention
“The UTVs aren't as nice-looking as other companies, but ours had zero mechanical issues”

Tips from travelers

Buy the goggles they offer—sunglasses won't cut it once the dust kicks up
Wear clothes you don't mind ruining; you'll be covered head-to-toe in dirt
Ask for Dave, Albert, Igel, or Danny by name when booking
Bring sunscreen—four hours on open UTVs in direct sun is real exposure

Maybe skip if: Skip this if you want pristine vehicles or hate getting genuinely dirty—the dust and grime are part of the experience, not a side effect.

More activities

Exploring the hidden treasure only accessible on our tour.

OutdoorFrom $150© Management via TripAdvisor

ABC Tours Aruba

ABC Tours Aruba operates out of Oranjestad and has held the #3 spot among outdoor activities in the capital for a reason — it's a full-day commitment. The standard safari runs seven hours, which is longer than most competitors, and covers Arikok National Park, the natural pool, caves, and a handful of beaches in one loop. That scope explains the $150 price point, which is about double what shorter half-day land tours charge elsewhere on the island. The back-to-back Travelers Choice awards and the volume of reviews point to consistent execution, and the guides get mentioned often — not just for driving, but for pacing the day so it doesn't feel like a forced march. Families book this because the private routes skip the roughest terrain and can accommodate infants, which matters if you're trying to see the interior without bounce-testing a car seat. If you're on a cruise, ABC coordinates timing around port schedules. If you'd rather spend half the day at a beach club, this isn't that.

land

Choose a Snorkel or Sunset Cruises aboard the Jolly Pirates.

Jolly Pirates Cruises

Jolly Pirates runs a four-hour catamaran cruise out of Hadicurari, the fishing pier on the northwest coast near the high-rise hotels. The boat is ranked #7 among Oranjestad water sports for a reason: multiple snorkel stops, rope swings off the stern, and a crew that keeps the vibe relaxed without being forced. You'll hit at least two reef sites, and the water is shallow enough that kids can snorkel comfortably—this is the lowest-intensity water activity in the category. Morning departures include a full meal; afternoon trips are drinks only, so check the schedule when you book. At $90, it's positioned between De Palm Tours' beach club package with slides and banana boats and the pricier land-based jeep safaris. If you want open water over a beach club, and sailing over driving through Arikok, this is the call. Book direct through their site. Cash tip for the crew is standard.

water

Palm Pleasure Sailing and Snorkeling trips

De Palm Tours

De Palm Tours runs a private beach club on the west coast near Oranjestad, and it's built around water activities — think slides, banana boats, snorkeling gear, and a roped-off swimming area. The #5 ranking among Oranjestad transportation reflects that this isn't just a shuttle service; most visitors book the half-day beach package that includes cabanas, towels, and food service. The back-to-back Travelers Choice awards suggest consistency, and the 4.8 rating across 26,000+ reviews backs that up. The setup skews family-friendly. Kids get underwater activities in shallow zones, parents get palapas with shade and beverage service. It's beach entertainment, not wilderness — no natural pools or cave hikes like the UTV tours that head into Arikok. Duration runs around four hours, which is enough for the slides and a meal without burning the whole day. Note that the flamingo interactions cost extra, and cabana rentals are mandatory with the package. If you want inland exploration, this isn't it. If you want a contained beach day with activities included, it does the job.

water

Torn between this and somewhere else? Settle it →

Pairs well with

Jolly Pirates Cruises

Octopus Sailing Charters

Octopus Sailing Charters runs three-hour trips off the Palm-Eagle Beach coast, and the 4.7 rating across thousands of reviews suggests they keep things consistent. The Travelers Choice award backs that up. It's a mid-intensity outing — you're on a catamaran, not in a kayak — so it works for most ages and fitness levels. The boat makes stops for snorkeling and usually swings by a shipwreck or two depending on conditions. Crew handles the sailing; you handle the sunscreen. The $75 price point sits in the middle of the water sports market here, which tracks for a half-day charter with gear included. Groups tend to be mixed, so expect other travelers. Book directly through their site. Morning departures are cooler and the water's usually calmer before noon, though afternoon light is better for photos if that matters to you.

Delphi Watersports

Delphi Watersports runs out of the Hyatt Regency beach on Palm Beach, and it's been doing it long enough to land at #7 among water sports operators in Noord—plus a 2025 Travelers Choice award. The 4.7 rating across 3,200 reviews suggests they get the logistics right, which matters when you're dealing with boats and gear and group timing. They offer two-hour trips that lean moderately active—think snorkeling, tubing, or a mix depending on what you book. It's a straightforward setup: walk down to the towel hut, check in, and you're on the water. Pricing sits around $75, which is middle-of-the-pack for Palm Beach excursions. Book direct through them if you can; it usually saves a step and sometimes a fee. They're used to handling families and mixed groups, so the intensity stays manageable even if you're not a strong swimmer.

Source: TripAdvisor · view on TripAdvisor →

Photos by individual contributors as credited above.

Review summaries are AI-paraphrased from public traveler reviews.