Odd Port time 1 PM - 11 PM

[Sunny AZ Girl]

What do you do with a late arrival and staying in port late?

 

I would like to go to De Palm island, but the times are so odd. We would miss most excursions and also lunch. We like to snorkel and/or tour with a beach break.

 

Also looking at ABC Jeep tours that has a tour leaving at 2 PM. Would that give us enough time to get to their location after the ship arrives at 1 PM? Would an afternoon tour be too hot? I do like the fact there is a snorkel and swim stop to cool off. Is the ride too bumpy and fast or is it medium/slower speed?

 

Or should we just head for a local beach for the afternoon? We prefer beaches that offer snorkeling.

 

And what do people do in port in the evening? That is a new concept for me. Do you eat at a local restaurant (that sounds appealing to me), or are there other evening activities to enjoy in port?

 

Thanks!

[Arubalisa]

I would like to go to De Palm island, but the times are so odd. We would miss most excursions and also lunch. We like to snorkel and/or tour with a beach break.

Imo, you would not get your money's worth.

Also looking at ABC Jeep tours that has a tour leaving at 2 PM. Would that give us enough time to get to their location after the ship arrives at 1 PM?

Yes

Would an afternoon tour be too hot? I do like the fact there is a snorkel and swim stop to cool off.

It will be quite warm, but a fair portion of the tour is on the windward side of the island.

Is the ride too bumpy and fast or is it medium/slower speed?

It will be pretty bumpy on the windward side of the island, where it is bumpy they cannot go fast.

Or should we just head for a local beach for the afternoon? We prefer beaches that offer snorkeling.

The best beaches, Palm and Eagle beaches, do not have snorkeling, there is only plain white sandy bottom. You can check the late afternoon snorkel cruise on Jolly Pirates. I will post separately in this thread about beach snorkeling.

 

And what do people do in port in the evening? That is a new concept for me. Do you eat at a local restaurant (that sounds appealing to me), or are there other evening activities to enjoy in port?

 

Thanks!

Sunset dinner on the beach at Barefoot or Passions at the Amsterdam Manor and then there is always the casino afterwards.

[Arubalisa]

There is nothing to see snorkeling off of Palm Beach or Eagle Beach. With only a white sandy bottom, you may see some fish swimming by, but that is just a random thing.

 

On Palm Beach, there is a spot between the Westin and Divi Phoenix Resort (south end of Palm Beach) which you can snorkel. The water is very calm there as well. About 150 yards off the beach there is a little jetty like rock island.

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Here you can view fish, octopus, and other critters such as lobster, etc. There are also rock jetties along both sides of the Phoenix's beach which may offer some glimpses of sea life.

 

No chaises though nor much else real close by. The Westin is a short walk and the closest resort.

 

North of Palm Beach, by bus or taxi, there is a small beach at Boca Catalina which is perfect for swimming and snorkeling. There are a few shade palapas here but no restroom facilities. There are no rest room facilities at all along the coast at either BC, Catalina Cove or Arashi. Though from what I understand, port-a-potties were a recent addition to Arashi beach as well as chaise lounge rentals. It is a beautiful white sand beach.

 

Below is Arashi on a day with a few waves, it can be very calm here as well.

 

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Below is Boca Catalina

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If you enter at above, Boca Catalina there is a plain white sandy bottom. On some days, early in the morning, you will be able to see your feet. Put your fins on and walk backwards into the water or walk in as far as you need, sit or get into a crouched position and put your fins on there. This is the easiest spot for a beginner.

 

The snorkeling is a bit better at Catalina Cove below, though it is rocky which makes for a difficult entry.

We normally enter the water at Boca Catalina and swim northward due to the difficult entry here at Catalina Cove pictured below.

 

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Catalina Cove, I would definitely put your fins on before entering and just walk backwards as best as you can. If one of you has more tender feet than the other, have the tough foot wade in without, holding your back so you do not fall.

 

I have further information and photos of this area here.

 

Take the public bus and ask the bus driver to drop you off wherever you wish. It will literally be a few foot steps onto the beach. If you are at Boca Catalina the bus runs "about" every hour. Keep an eye out for it heading north and you can gather your things and be ready after it goes up and turns around at Arashi.

 

As to valuables, when we head to Boca Catalina to snorkel there are always other tourists there. It is a popular spot for those folks staying at apartments or villas to have beach access. Dh and I generally ask someone to keep an eye on our towels and of course never bring anything valuable in the first place.

 

There is a minuscule beach at Malmok. This photo is from 2 years ago. There was less beach here this past June.

 

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Arashi Beach is again pictured below. You can enter here and swim south towards and around the rocks and there is a reef there on the other side.

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It is a fairly easy walk street side from Arashi southward to Catalina Cove and then Boca Catalina. Malmok beach is further to the south.

[Keith1010]

People walk around in the evening. There is a lot near the cruise ship terminal.

 

Keith

[Sunny AZ Girl]

Thank you for the suggestions. I just realized I got my ports/cruises mixed up. We will still be in port until 11 PM, but we arrive at 8 AM - so we actually have the entire day. Looong port day!

 

So, now I am back to looking at all of your wonderful ideas and have put De Palm Island back on the table for daytime. That really sounds like a relaxing day. Is it as nice as described or should we look at something else?

 

I looked at Barefoot for a nice dinner restaurant and that sounds very nice, too. I like the idea of a sunset dinner there. How far is it from the port?

[Sunny AZ Girl]

Lisa - thank you so much for the detailed snorkeling suggestions. I will have to check them out in detail. What can you tell me about the difference between De Palm Island snorkeling and the ones you suggested?

 

Keith - I have been to Aruba once before but we just had a really short time there. I didn't get any real time to shop. Do you know how late the shops are open near the ship in the evening?

[Arubalisa]

Thank you for the suggestions. I just realized I got my ports/cruises mixed up. We will still be in port until 11 PM, but we arrive at 8 AM - so we actually have the entire day. Looong port day!

 

So, now I am back to looking at all of your wonderful ideas and have put De Palm Island back on the table for daytime. That really sounds like a relaxing day. Is it as nice as described or should we look at something else?

De Palm Island is all inclusive but expensive.

 

Lisa - thank you so much for the detailed snorkeling suggestions. I will have to check them out in detail. What can you tell me about the difference between De Palm Island snorkeling and the ones you suggested?

The biggest difference is that De Palm is expensive, and snorkeling from the beach is FREE. :)

 

You could snorkel from Arashi and have a "beach day" right there. Get there early for shade and bring some bottled water or cans of soda and snacks with you.

 

Or...snorkel at Arashi or Boca Catalina and then head to Palm or Eagle beaches for your "beach day".

 

Another suggestion, depending upon the day of the week you are there, would be the lunch snorkel cruise on Tranquilo. It is a longer tour which snorkels at Mike's Reef. Another snorkel cruise is Jolly Pirates which goes to 3 popular snorkel sites.

 

I looked at Barefoot for a nice dinner restaurant and that sounds very nice, too. I like the idea of a sunset dinner there. How far is it from the port?

Barefoot is about 10 minutes south of the pier and a $7-$8 taxi ride (one way).

 

Keith - I have been to Aruba once before but we just had a really short time there. I didn't get any real time to shop. Do you know how late the shops are open near the ship in the evening?

I am not Keith, but the shops close at 6 pm and most are closed on Sunday.

[sjmbruce]

Thank you for the suggestions. I just realized I got my ports/cruises mixed up. We will still be in port until 11 PM, but we arrive at 8 AM - so we actually have the entire day. Looong port day!

 

So, now I am back to looking at all of your wonderful ideas and have put De Palm Island back on the table for daytime. That really sounds like a relaxing day. Is it as nice as described or should we look at something else?

 

I looked at Barefoot for a nice dinner restaurant and that sounds very nice, too. I like the idea of a sunset dinner there. How far is it from the port?

That is a long port day! What cruise line are you going with and which cruise? Our stop in Aruba was from 7am-12:30pm. We didn't get off the boat until 7:30 and had to be back on by noon at the latest. I'd like to go back for the entire day!

[Sunny AZ Girl]

Good suggestions everyone. Thanks!

 

We will be on the Jewel of the Seas. Here is the itinerary.:)

[blue_water]

The 1PM - 11PM was our last port time but your time is longer, great.

We'd do a little shopping then take a day sail out of the marina and after have dinner on Palm Beach. We've done everything else on Aruba and some time on the water is a nice option, even if just a sunset sail.

Enjoy!

[blue_water]

For the best snorkeling as well as a excellent day on the water look at Tranquilo charters and their southside lunch tour. $75pp from 10AM - 3PM and they sail right from the marina where you dock.

Another option is the wreck / reef snorkel with a stop at Bugaloe beach bar on Palm Beach for lunch.

[Sunny AZ Girl]

The 1PM - 11PM was our last port time but your time is longer, great.

We'd do a little shopping then take a day sail out of the marina and after have dinner on Palm Beach. We've done everything else on Aruba and some time on the water is a nice option, even if just a sunset sail.

Enjoy!

 

For the best snorkeling as well as a excellent day on the water look at Tranquilo charters and their southside lunch tour. $75pp from 10AM - 3PM and they sail right from the marina where you dock.

Another option is the wreck / reef snorkel with a stop at Bugaloe beach bar on Palm Beach for lunch.

Both of those look like nice options. Thanks!

 

My DH was looking at the ABC Jeep Tours that have snorkeling at the end. I like the idea of seeing more of the island, but it also sounds like a hot and dusty day. They have a tour that starts at 9 AM, but I am concerned that if the ship is delayed we would miss it. That happened in St. Thomas this year coming from Nassau. High winds and heavier seas caused the ship to arrive an hour later than scheduled. For Aruba, the ship is coming from St. Kitts, also a longer distance. The ship has the same tour for $10 less than privately booking it, which is odd. They only have the afternoon tour available to book through the ship, though. And that looks like a hot time of day to do an open air Jeep tour.

 

We were in Aruba once before, for a half day on Princess. It rained all day so the beaches were deserted. We did go out with Jolly Pirates and despite the rain had a wonderful time with good snorkeling. However, we didn't see anything of the island except what we saw on the way to the JP boat and back. That is why we were thinking more of a tour.

[blue_water]

Hi Ginny, yes it makes sense to see the island this trip. Our first cruise there we did the horseback ride on the beach (and through the desert), the wreck/reef snorkel and lunch, and a sunset cat sail. Lots of stuff but we were there from 7:30AM til midnight. You should look at something that includes an island tour, there are some fun options!

Have a great cruise!

[CDNJehn]

We also have an odd port time, 1pm - 10pm. Just starting to look at what to do during our time. It looks like the sunset is around 6:45 when we're there. If we took the bus to Boca Catalina/Catalina Cove/Arashi for an afternoon beach day, would there be some shade there?

 

I'm really torn because I would like to get to see the island some more (anticipating a return trip for longer than a day) but just love vegging on the beach. All of the tours I've looked at so far seem to do one or the other.

Edited November 25, 2013 by CDNJehn