De Palm by Rental Car

[barretoh]

Hi,

 

I'll be in Aruba on the Golden Princess next week and I'm interested in going to De Palm to snorkel with my family. There are five of us, so I didn't want to pay $45 per person for the tour. I was going to rent a car for the day. It looks like I can drive to De Palm and take the ferry. Is it easy to find it? How much is the ferry?

 

Since I'll have a car, does it make sense to do De Palm in the morning then drive around in the afternoon? I can't tell if that's too much for one day.

 

Thanks for any help you can give me,

 

Humberto

[barbados]

It's been a few years since we've had the time to visit DePalm. We used to either rent a car or take the bus and use the ferry to get there.

 

But, I understand it is now closed to the public unless you purchase the tour from DePalm Tours. Don't think you can just arrive without a ticket, take the ferry and go solo.

 

I may be wrong, so perhaps someone can confirm or dispute this.

 

Snorkeling was fair to good. Coral out 150' was dead, but it was still worth it.

 

As an alternate, consider taking the bus or taxi to malmok; Fisherman's Hut; Palm; Eagle or Manchebo for excellent snorkeling.

 

Have a great time! :)

[barretoh]

Hi,

 

You are right that DePalm is accessible only via tour. Here's an email from them:

 

Dear Mr Humberto Barreto,

 

Thank you for your email,On board you will receive a better rate as on our web site we charge half day $50.00 and that includes the transfer and the all inclusive program

If you decide to do the tour on your own you would need a transfer via a taxi around $18.00 to go and to come back $18,.00 or with a rental car

So in this case the ship has a better deal for their passengers

Wishing you a wonderful day and a pleasant vacation,

 

Kind regards

Esmeralda A.Schotman

Manager Shore Excursions

De Palm Tours

Ph : +297 5824400 ext 223

fax : +297 5823012

cellular : 297 9633484 or 297 7333484

email: esmeralda@depalmtours.aw

[barretoh]

Hi,

 

I might be just talking to myself on this message board, but in case anyone else sees this thread, I just talked to Super Car Rental on the phone and they said you CAN get to DePalm via the ferry (at $5/person).

 

So, I gambled and rented the car. I guess we'll just see who was right.

 

Humberto

[cindygad]

Sorry I hit by mistake.

 

Cindy

[cindygad]

Humberto,

 

Please let us know what you did and how you liked it when you get back. Thinking of doing this too. Thank you.

 

Cindy,