Where's the best snorkeling beach in Aruba?

We've been to Aruba and done the island tour and spent time at Palm beach but where would be the best place for snorkeling?

Catalina Cove and Boca Catalina. 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.

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The snorkeling is a bit better at Catalina Cove, though it is rocky and a difficult entry

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I have further information and photos of this area here

Addtional info

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1056379

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=880985

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=887416

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/tags.php?tag=aruba+buses

http://www.shorediving.com/Earth/ABC/Aruba/Catalina_Cove/index.htm

http://www.shorediving.com/Earth/ABC/Aruba/Boca_Catalina/index.htm

Thanks for the info!

We've been to Aruba and done the island tour and spent time at Palm beach but where would be the best place for snorkeling?

If you are getting off the ship and do not have a car, a suggestion is to take the local bus that is marked "Hotels" to the end of the line at the base of the lighthouse. This bus will pass Palm Beach and a few other beaches.

The main bus stop is a very short walk from the cruise ship pier -- walk out of the pier area; turn right onto the main street; the bus terminal will be across the main street (left side) a few yards down. Check with the bus driver to confirm that his particular bus will be going that far and get a pick up/return time for that beach spot. They take US & Canada dollars & coins as well as local currency. Best to purchase a round trip ticket for about $2.50. The beach is undeveloped (no facilities) with good snorkeling, but not much shade. Walk about 200 ft. from where the bus lets you off. Some of the locals have left chairs there you could use if not occupied. We enjoyed our time there....no crowds, peaceful, natural setting, nice variety of fish, but not much live coral. Water was calm and not very deep. Access was easy. Be sure to take your own snorkel gear, a water bottle, snack, and a watch to monitor your return time.

Enjoy!

If you are getting off the ship and do not have a car, a suggestion is to take the local bus that is marked "Hotels" to the end of the line at the base of the lighthouse. This bus will pass Palm Beach and a few other beaches.

The main bus stop is a very short walk from the cruise ship pier -- walk out of the pier area; turn right onto the main street; the bus terminal will be across the main street (left side) a few yards down. Check with the bus driver to confirm that his particular bus will be going that far and get a pick up/return time for that beach spot. They take US & Canada dollars & coins as well as local currency. Best to purchase a round trip ticket for about $2.50. The beach is undeveloped (no facilities) with good snorkeling, but not much shade. Walk about 200 ft. from where the bus lets you off. Some of the locals have left chairs there you could use if not occupied. We enjoyed our time there....no crowds, peaceful, natural setting, nice variety of fish, but not much live coral. Water was calm and not very deep. Access was easy. Be sure to take your own snorkel gear, a water bottle, snack, and a watch to monitor your return time.

Enjoy!

Hi-- Thanks for the info, but what beach is this?

Arubalisa - how do these sites compare to the sites accessible by the common sailing tours around the island? i.e. visibility, quality of coral and fish, crowd level, travel time to and fro, etc. Thanks for the help!:D

Most of the snorkel boats go to Boca Catalina and to the sunken ship, Antilles. So you could go to Boca Catalina on your own as already described or take a snorkel tour boat. (You could swim out to the Antilles from Boca Catalina, but I wouldn't recommend it unless you are a strong swimmer and know exactly where to go.)

While Boca Catalina is a good snorkel spot, I think the best spot for snorkeling on the island is at Baby Beach. It's not accessible by public transportation so you would need a car or a taxi driver to take you and pick you up. (I don't recall any waiting taxis there.)

The Antilla is just shy of a half mile OFF OF THE COAST of the Boca Catalina. As a former competitive swimmer, I do NOT suggest you attempt to swim out there. In the afternoon, with the wind, the swells can get 2 ft or more. I cannot tell you how many time dh and I have dove there (off a boat) and been instructed to go straight down and not wait at the surface like a bunch of corks ;) :) http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=12.601643&lon=-70.056682&z=17&l=0&m=a&v=2

Baby Beach is good for snorkeling but can get crowded, especially when the organized tour excursions stop off. But like aussiegirl said, you need a car or to go via taxi.

Either way no matter what you choose, if you go on your own you will have a quieter time, but be able to spend as much time as you like. Well, until you have to be back to your ship. I also always remind folks that there are many other place to snorkel in the world with better visibility. Just so you not disappointed.

Hi-- Thanks for the info, but what beach is this?

I don't think this beach has a name. There are no services there. Bring something to drink and a snack. It is an undeveloped beach the locals use, but you will find a few tourists. It is at the end of the bus route, a turn around spot for the bus to head back into town. Just look for the bus that reads "Hotels" and ask the bus driver if that bus will be going all the way out to the turn around at the bottom of the lighthouse. Be sure to ask him the times for the return buses from that location. There is usually one every hour, but you want to know the exact times.

The beach parking lot where the buses turn around is Arashi.