Group of 11 Looking For Excursion Suggestions

[RainbowsMist]

Hello,

 

We are a family/group of 11 (ages 12-72). I thought I found the perfect excursion with Segway Tours Aruba (Segway, Sail and Snorkel) however I've just been informed they can't accommodate a group our size without splitting us up (we'd have to Segway in shifts) and we'd have to miss the sailing part of the excursion as we'd lose time from needing to be split for the Segway portion :( Sooo disappointed.

 

Moving onward and upward.... any suggestions for a group our size? We know we want to snorkel, beach time would be great, and have some time to do a bit of shopping/browsing. We are in Aruba 8:00-4:00 ship time and this will be our first time in Aruba.

 

Thank you! :)

[cb at sea]

I can't help with the snorkeling thing, but beaches and shopping will be easy to do on your own. You really don't need and excursion for those things!

[Arubalisa]

For a group that size, your biggest issue is going to be transportation. Taxis by law can only carry a maximum of 5 people so you would need 3 taxis. The other option would be to rent a 12 passenger van and tour and snorkel on your own.

 

If you all want to hop on the public bus, search here in the forum for snorkeling Boca Catalina and Arashi. Those who do not want to snorkel can spend their beach time at Arashi.

 

Shopping can be done at the end of your day in downtown Oranjestad before getting back on to the ship.

 

If you are willing to forgo the snorkeling, when we were a family of 10 on the island for one day we spent the day at Palm Beach. You can rent chaises and umbrellas and make it a beach day. Those who wish to shop can walk street side and visit the shops. If anyone wants to gamble they can walk to any of the 7 casinos. There are tons of watersports for the younger people in your party.

 

In a PERFECT world, if money were no object, I would contact Kini Kini Tours and explain what you are looking for and get a price on a private tour. Perhaps they could do a combination of their Beach & Snorkeling Tour and Aruba's Finest Island Tour and Country Side Tour.

Edited January 27, 2014 by Arubalisa

[MA cruisers]

Arubalisa, Can you tell me where did you go on Palm Beach. We are a group of 16 looking for some water sports (jet skis, banana boats) on Palm Beach in October. Any ideas you may have for a beach day including some water sports and/or snorkeling would be greatly aprpeciated.

 

I see you were born and raised in NJ. Me too, grew up in Wayne and now I am in Western Massachusetts.

[Arubalisa]

There are chaise and umbrella rentals at various locations along Palm Beach. Watersports operators are along the beach as well. Prices are not really that competitive. For an idea of what you will pay see this price list. I know for a fact from our recent trip over Christmas that $75 for 2 for 30 minutes is "the going rate".

 

I recommend the vendors at the south end of the Radisson's property. You can have the bus or taxi drop you off at the entrance to De Palm Pier and take the walkway out towards the beach and pier. The vendors will be directly on your right side. There is an affordable restaurant/bar- Bugaloe- at the end of the pier, a short walk away for refreshments.

 

 

Your family can spend the entire day there. Those who want to snorkel can walk down the beach a short way towards the police station or take a bus or taxi (to get a taxi from the Palm Beach area to the north to snorkel locations {see below} or back to the ship, head to the lobby entrance of any of the resorts). Taxi drivers will not allow wet bathing suits.

 

On Palm Beach, there is a spot between the Westin (closing effective 2/27/14) and Divi Phoenix Resort (south end of Palm Beach) which you can snorkel. It is straight out off of the police station. The water is very calm there as well. About 150 yards off the beach there is a little jetty like rock island.

 

click on thumbnail to enlarge

 

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.

Edited January 27, 2014 by Arubalisa

[Arubalisa]

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 "real" rest room facilities at all along the coast at either BC, Catalina Cove or Arashi.

 

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

click on thumbnail to enlarge

 

Below is Boca Catalina

click on thumbnail to enlarge

 

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.

click on thumbnail to enlarge

 

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.

 

If you have valuables, when we head to Boca Catalina to snorkel there are always other tourists there. It is a popular spot for tourists 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. When we were there a few weeks ago there was a father and son headed out to dive from this spot. They were locals so there is something to see in the water there.

 

click on thumbnail to enlarge

 

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.

 

click on thumbnail to enlarge

 

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.

 

Depending upon your budget, De Palm Island for the day may be a good compromise for your group. Your ship probably offers it as an excursion which would include the transportation to their ferry depot which is about 20 minutes from the port. It is not cheap, but will have banana boats and snorkeling, don't recall their having skis though.

 

Being born and raised in Clifton, I am pretty familiar with Wayne. ;) A great place to be from!

Edited January 27, 2014 by Arubalisa

[RainbowsMist]

We have booked an excursion with Tranquilo Tours. We are very excited! It's exactly what we are looking for :)

 

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Forums mobile app

[Arubalisa]

Tranquilo is a great excursion. :) We just sailed with Captain Anthony for the 3rd time on Christmas Eve day. Even my Dad, who did not snorkel, had an enjoyable day out on the ocean! :)

[RainbowsMist]

Tranquilo is a great excursion. :) We just sailed with Captain Anthony for the 3rd time on Christmas Eve day. Even my Dad, who did not snorkel, had an enjoyable day out on the ocean! :)

 

That's great to hear!! We were looking for something a little more personal, less crowded, more family orientated where our group/family ages 11-72. Based on the reviews and what I've read, I think it will be exactly what we're looking for :)

 

 

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Forums mobile app

[Sunny AZ Girl]

We have a good sized group, 10 of us friends sailing together and then another 3 from our Roll Call. We are in Aruba for a long day (8AM - 11PM). we are booked with Jolly Pirates in the morning from 9-1. We will take cabs to Moomba Beach where we will do that excursion. Then Sonny Binns is picking us up at Moomba Beach at 2 PM for a 3 hour island tour. I think it will be a fun day for our group.:)