Things to Do in Aruba on a Cruise

Welcome to the beautiful island of Aruba, one of the best loved islands in the Caribbean — and for many reasons!

To start, Aruba is great for shopping. In fact, as soon as you leave the port area, you are right in the heart of it. You will find a small shopping complex just outside the port entrance, along with market stalls that line the opposite side of the road. Sometimes there is also a small market directly opposite the port gates — simply cross the street and you are there. It’s a great place to grab those important souvenirs for friends and family back home or to treat yourself to something new.

Had enough of shopping and want to do something fun? Then I have two recommendations:

Snorkeling in Aruba

First, the Antilla Shipwreck Snorkel and Swim. This Aruba shore excursion is an absolute must for those that want to combine adventure with snorkeling in the crystal clear Caribbean Sea. You will sail for about one hour along the beautiful Aruba coast before reaching the spot of the world-famous Antilla shipwreck, one of the best sunken shipwrecks in the world!

SS Antilla was a Hamburg America Line cargo ship that launched in 1939 for trade between Germany and the Caribbean. She is one of the longest shipwrecks in the Caribbean and sits on her port side in Malmok Bay. You will have approximately 45 minutes of snorkeling time here, and all I can say is make the most of it! If you have a chance before you go, I would highly recommend you buy an underwater camera.

If sea conditions permit, you will also sail to one of the local reefs where, again, you can enjoy free time in the water to check out the reef and its inhabitants.

I have to say that Aruba had some of the best waters I experienced when I was in the Caribbean, so I personally would highly recommend this tour. I also think it’s is an unbelievably good value for the price and what you get! It was far more expensive via the cruise line when I checked. If you head off on this trip, I hope you have a great time and please come back and let us know what you thought of it!

Aruba Jeep Safari

Second on my list is something sure to get your adrenaline pumping… a Half Day 4×4 Jeep Safari across the awesome Aruba landscape. The best part of this excursion: You get to drive your own Jeep!

You will visit the California Lighthouse, Alto Vista Chapel, the Natural Bridge and the remains of the Bushiribana Gold Mine as you head toward the famous Ayo Monolithic Rock Formation and Indian drawings. If something different is what you seek, then this is definitely the excursion for you! As it’s a half-day tour, you will also still have time to check out one of Aruba’s many awesome beaches (I would recommend Eagle Beach, noted one of the BEST in the world!).

You can grab a Taxi to Eagle Beach from directly outside the port entrance and it only takes a few minutes to get there. This white sandy stretch of paradise is also home to several luxury resorts and a few restaurants. I tried Matthew’s Beachside Restaurant during my visit which is right at the end of the beach (to the left of the Sandals resort). The food was very nice; I opted for the Quesadillas, which were delicious and reasonably priced! Give it a try!