What catamaran or snorkel tours are recommended in Aruba?
Updated Jun 10, 2026
The answer
For shipwreck snorkeling, a catamaran tour adds value; otherwise, the sites catamarans visit are generally reachable from shore. Two operators dominate traveler recommendations: Delphi Watersports' Dolphin boat and Jolly Pirates. Delphi's Dolphin, operating near the Hyatt, runs $65 per adult and $45 per child, featuring a rope swing and water slide particularly suited to families with young children—reports highlight small group sizes and attentive crew. Jolly Pirates offers more snorkeling stops and tends to draw larger groups with more children; one comparison notes Jolly provided more onboard food, while Dolphin allowed more time on the swing due to fewer passengers. Both operations receive praise for staff quality. Travelers staying at the Marriott note Jolly's pickup convenience. One detailed account recommends the four-hour morning departure window, though no consensus emerges on optimal tour length across the comments.
What people are saying
Voices from the community.
- 01
“Catamaran trips justify their cost mainly when targeting shipwrecks; standard snorkel sites match what shore entry offers.”
Helpful · 4/5View source post ↗ - 02
“Delphi's Dolphin boat suits young families with its slide and swing, small groups, and strong crew—$65 adults, $45 kids, Hyatt beach departure.”
Helpful · 4/5View source post ↗ - 03
“Dolphin prioritizes swing time with fewer snorkel stops; Jolly Pirates offers more underwater sites, larger kid-friendly groups, and generous meal service.”
Helpful · 4/5View source post ↗ - 04
“Four-hour morning catamaran slots deliver reliable satisfaction for snorkelers.”
Helpful · 3/5View source post ↗
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How we know
Answers are paraphrased from public community posts. We don't republish verbatim content. 8 community posts informed this answer. The full story →