Excursions by land and sea: An idea of ​​all the special adventures that Aruba has to offer Families, couples, groups of friends, single explorers and tourists of all ages flock to Aruba to enjoy its endless variety of activities under the sun. Caribbean. For visitors looking to venture beyond its blanket of beach, Aruba offers dozens of land and sea excursions that appeal to adventurers young and old.

Aruba Boardwalks

Aruba’s most popular ocean activity is underwater exploration. Whether skimming the surface or diving below, Aruba scuba diving and snorkeling tours are for everyone, from beginners to expert levels.

The most famous diving and snorkeling destination on the island is the Antilla shipwreck. A German supply ship that was anchored off the coast of Aruba during World War II, the captain of the Antilla deliberately scuttled the empty ship when the Dutch asked him to surrender it in May 1940. Today, the ship can be seen from the surface but is more than 50 feet below her port side. The site features a variety of colorful coral and marine life that live both outside and inside the ship’s walls. The Antilla is the largest shipwreck in the Caribbean at 400 feet long, making it a popular destination for snorkeling and diving excursions.

Beyond Antilla, Aruba is known for its multitude of shipwreck sites that divers can explore. The Pedernalis is another WWII shipwreck, an oil tanker that sits at a maximum depth of 35 feet below the surface, making it a perfect dive for beginners. Divers can expect to encounter angelfish, groupers, and octopus around this wreck site.

The famous Tugboat wreck is a good happy medium for groups that may have divers of different experience levels. Beginning 20 feet below the surface and reaching a depth of 70 feet, the site is noted for its attractive sea creatures, including green moray eels and different species of rays.

For those looking for a more unusual diving experience, Aruba has two plane crash sites. Both sites are artificial reefs where planes were intentionally shot down to create diving opportunities; one contains a submerged DC-3, while the other has a more recently sunk YS-11. Divers can explore the area around the wreck, as well as enter the planes. The DC-3 is on a reef at a maximum depth of 80 feet. The YS-11 is often cited for its unusual position, in that the tail of the aircraft sits 75 feet below the surface, but the nose rests on a slightly higher slope 45 feet below, making it appears to be in the middle of takeoff.

Experienced divers looking for an exciting departure from the daily dive can participate in a night dive excursion, offered at many of Aruba’s most popular dive sites, including wrecks. Beginners can enjoy beginner dives at sites like Harbor Reef, which tops out at 40 feet deep and is a popular spot to see brain corals and seahorses.

For vacationers looking to stay above the water (but still), Aruba has a multitude of water sports and activities, many of which can be done as part of an all-day pleasure cruise or tour. Parasailing, windsurfing and jet skiing attract thrill seekers who enjoy more daring ocean pursuits, while banana boat rides, catamaran cruises, kayaking trips and sunset sails offer quieter fun for families. and discreet tourists.

Land Excursions in Aruba

Tourists who prefer to explore on dry land can enjoy day trips to any of several Aruba landmarks. Caves, deserts, and national parks abound on the island, and visitors can arrange to be part of a daily excursion with one of Aruba’s many tour companies, or explore on their own.

Those interested in archeology will appreciate a visit to one of Aruba’s many caves that were once home to the Arawak Indians. Two of the most popular caves are the Fontein cave, where you can still see native drawings on the ceiling, and the Guadirikiri cave, a popular tunnel that today houses hundreds of bats. The more romantic can also visit the Tunnel of Love, a 300-foot-long cave with a heart-shaped entrance.

Arikok National Park is another popular land attraction for tourists looking for a wilderness adventure. This explorer’s treasure trove, located on the northeast side of the island, has a wealth of plant and animal species, including desert flowers, rattlesnakes, and tropical birds. The park also has several quartz and limestone formations, remnants of ancient civilizations that thrived in Aruban’s climate. Tourists may want to consider taking a Jeep or ATV tour to Arikok for a little more fun.