Snorkeling in Aruba

Old Jul 23rd, 2003, 07:44 AM
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Snorkeling in Aruba

I've read that Baby Beach is the best place to snorkel in Aruba but if we don't rent a vehicle how else could we get there?Will a bus take you there? Or would a cab be our best bet...how expensive would that be?Thanks
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Old Jul 23rd, 2003, 09:25 AM
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Honestly, I was disappointed at Baby Beach, it was very crowded and murky
Instead of snorkeling we ended up watching a local softball game and helped field a fly ball.

We did rent car and it was great to explore the island. Before we left I heard that a jeep was necessary but we found that we were able to go everywhere we wanted with just an Alto (if know this car, you will smile when you read this... if not....it is the smallest car I have ever seen)

However We did not take the car to the natural bridge, we did this on horse back and it looked like you probably need a jeep for this destination
Over all We felt very safe... offered ganza one time, witnessed one fight between two teen boys, and that was the extent to anything remotley to be wary of.

By the way we rented the car right from the Hyatt, and the car was located right across from the hotel...There WAS A LOT of pressure to rent outside the airport (I guess we looked like wide eyed honey mooners)

After alot of Drama (long, naive story)I am glad we waited a day to rent a car from our hotel (it was our first caribbean vacation)

Have fun in Aruba
Feel free to email me
Ruby
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Old Jul 23rd, 2003, 09:55 AM
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I'll second the comment about being disappointed in Baby Beach. Not worth the drive from the hotel area, IMHO. There are better sites for everything -- snorkling, swimming, sun bathing -- elsewhere on the island.

The rental cars are so cheap on Aruba that I can't see wasting my time waiting on buses. Some of the local companies charge as little $21/day. Even booking ahead of time with big U.S. chains should easily net you prices under $30/day (I paid $78 including taxes for 3 days with a Toyota Yaris, 4 doors, A/C, auto -- that was through Alamo at the airport and booked via the Alamo web site -- anybody can get that kind of deal easily). I would *DEFINITELY* rent at the airport though -- that way I don't have to pay taxis to/from the airport, saving myself half the price of the rental right off the bat. Airport rentals are super convenient -- they're in the little houses directly across from the door as you exit the airport.

Have fun!
Mark
www.tiogringo.com
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Old Jul 23rd, 2003, 06:36 PM
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So, where else would you recommend snorkeling in Aruba other than Baby Beach?
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Old Jul 24th, 2003, 04:32 AM
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We took one of those catamaran trips. They took us to a beach spot and then also a spot far out on the water.

I was disappointed with all the snorkeling in aruba.
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Old Jul 24th, 2003, 07:37 AM
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I agree with Crazyladybug. I too was disappointed with all of the snorkeling in Aruba. We did Baby Beach (cloudy, murky) and did a boat trip where it was close to impossible to snorkel because of the waves, and what was below us wasn't impressive at all. Aruba is a great island and we love to vacation there but snorkeling isn't one of it's plusses. The best snorkeling we've ever experienced hands down was last year in Turks & Caicos.
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Old Jul 24th, 2003, 09:48 AM
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TriGringo,
Hi, I agree if I had to do it over again, I probably would consider the airport car rentals... It was my first big trip and didnt quite understand how important having a credit card can be... oh naiveity
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Old Jul 24th, 2003, 10:34 AM
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Unfortunately Aruba is not a top snorkeling destination. I love Aruba but the snorkeling is not 1st class. The best I found was at Arashi (sp? reef. Many of the catamaran tours from Palm Beach take you there. There is also 1/2 of a ship from WWII that is slightly out of the water (like about 6 inches of one point). It is pretty neat to snorkle if you have never snorkeled around any wrecks. The water however can be quite choppy alot of times at this area so regardless of your ability I would recommend a life vest if you snorkel this spot.

If you are a die hard snorkel fan you can get a day trip by plane to Bonaire! Fabulous snorkeling from what I hve been told. I saw the day trips advertised when I was there but I had too many other things I wanted to do in Aruba to spend a full day tripping to Bonaire to snorkel.

Hope this helps. Have a wonderful trip!!

April
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Old Jul 27th, 2003, 12:52 PM
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Are you an experienced snorkeller or a novice? My husband and I love Baby Beach because you can see a lot of fish without having to kill yourself swimming against the current. I'm not a strong swimmer, so many of the other snorkelling spots in Aruba were out of the question. You barely have to swim to see the fish at Baby Beach! Yes, it's quite a trek -- I would rent a car. Stop at the supermarket on the way and pack some food and drink. It takes a while to get there, but who's in a rush? BTW, we just got back yesterday -- our 4th trip to Aruba!
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Old Jul 27th, 2003, 06:54 PM
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I went with a snorkel/dive operator called SE Aruba fly and dive. They will arrange a private snorkel that took me to three excellent snorkel spots with some of the best staghorn coral I have ever seen. Lots of fish as well.

There is GREAT snorkeling on Aruba. However, the best snorkel spots are not for the beginning snorkeler and have wave action and some current. They are not places easily found except by insiders and dive masters. Most commercial snorkeling companies take people to the areas that are the most gentle in terms of waves and current. Since so many people go there, the reefs are pretty beaten up. And these places will be disappointing in terms of snorkeling. Baby Beach got its name because it was a gentle place good for children to go and snorkel.

If you have enough snorkeling experience and don't mind current and wave action - these are windy islands - make arrangements with a dive company like SE Aruba Fly'n Dive then rent a car to explore the rest of the island in the afternoon.
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Old Jul 31st, 2003, 10:47 AM
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I realy liked Baby Beach (depending on the weather) but can als recommend Boca Grande and Arashi Beacht. An other good site not far from the airport between Pas Chiquito and Savaneta, unfortunately I forgot the name of it. It's a good site, not crowed and easy to come there, ask around locals know it very wel.
Transport: try the bus or mini bus, they stop every where and you get a change to meet the locals. Even hiking is very common and will not take long (my experience is while waiting on a bus, locals or other tourists will stop and bring you wherever you want or close by) only back from baby beach is sometimes hard.
If you're not experienced in snorkling but want to see a wrek, why not try an introduction dive. Great experience and I'm sure you want more after that.
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