Best Beach and Snorkeling in Aruba and Curacao

[Jeter2]

What is the best beach in Aruba and Curacao?

 

What is the best snorkeling location in Aruba and Curacao?

 

Thanks, Jeter

 

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Carnival Fantasy (Nov. 2000 - Nassau)

Disney Wonder (Apr. 2002 - Nassau, Freeport, Private Island)

Celebrity Infinity (Jan. 2006 - St. Maarten, Puerto Rico, Antigua)

Royal Caribbean Radiance of the Seas (Dec. 2007 - Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Costa Maya)

Norwegian Pearl (Apr. 2007 - Dominica, Barbados, St Lucia, Antigua, Tortola)

Holland America Eurodam (Dec. 2009 - Aruba, Curacao, Private Island)

[SanNic44]

Here's a link to a video that shows some of the fish at the Mangel Alto area where you can snorkle in Aruba:

 

http://bentpage.wordpress.com/2008/11/23/mangel-alto-snorkeling-aruba/

 

Enjoy.

 

44

[harryjr]

Many opinions here but we are just back from Aruba and Curacao and Playa Porto Mari in Curacao is a beautiful and easy shore access snorkeling site but it is about 30 minutes by cab or rental car from the cruise pier. Aruba beaches are are nicer, though. Palm Beach is a long, white sand beach with beautiful clear blue water but there are many hi-rise hotels directly on the beach. Nearby Eagle Beach is just as nice IMO but without the large hotels. You can rent a lounge chair from the Amsterdam Manor (which is just across the street from the beach) for just $6/day and there are many palapas for shade.

[Arubalisa]

Snorkel Playa Porto Mari in Curacao. :) Photos of our day at PPM

 

Beach at either Eagle Beach (Amsterdam Manor) or Palm Beach (more crowded, but more activities.

 

If you want to snorkel both Curacao and Aruba. Snorkeling at Boca Catalina/Catalina Cove is easy to reach, but no real beach, just enough to get wet. ;)

 

There are a few shade palapas at Boca Catalina but no restroom facilities. There are no rest room facilities at all along the coast at either BC or Catalina Cove. Boca Catalina below

click on thumbnail to enlarge

 

The snorkeling is a bit better at Catalina Cove, though it is rocky and a difficult entry

click on thumbnail to enlarge

 

I have further information and photos of this area here

[mobydog]

Just back from our cruise which included a stop at Aruba. We have our own gear and like to go on our own if possible. We took the local bus (which you can walk to from the cruise terminal)...it cost of $4.30 round trip for two people. We took the #10 bus to Arashi Beach. The water was too rough on that day at Arashi and we were not able to see anything due to limited visiblity. Ventured to the California Lighthouse to check out the views and then down to Boca Catalina. This is a great beach to snorkel from shore. We saw thousands of fish including angel fish, snapper, flounder and even a nurse shark. This is where some snorkeling boat excursions and glass bottom boats take their passengers as one of the stops.

[Jeter2]

Thanks everyone!!

 

We're going to snorkel at Playa Porto Mari in Curacao and Boca Catalina/Catalina Cove in Aruba.