What Should We Do in Aruba???

[Sun Lover]

We are thinking of booking the Jolly Pirates excursion in Aruba, which would end around 2 p.m. We will be on Adventure of the Seas, which doesn't leave the pier until the following morning at 1 a.m., so we will have a lot of time. After our excursion, what should we do? I don't want to do the jeep tours, but I'd like to hear from other people as to what they have done and if there's anything close to the pier that we could do last so that we'd be nearby and not have to worry about getting back to the ship on time. We have two sons ages 14 & 17 so we want to do something they'd enjoy also. Are there any beaches in Aruba that are known to have good size waves? Any suggestions would be very helpful. Thanks.

[Arubalisa]

The following links may assist you with some thought starters...

Come on cruisers help us out here

What is THE excursion in Aruba?

Aruba on Our Own

Sightseeing Aruba

Things To Do

On the Western side of the island where the 2 most famous beaches are located, Eagle and Palm, most of the year, there are little to no waves. Palm Beach especially has little in the way of waves, but makes up for it in it's abundant watersports activities.

For waves the Eastern side of the island would be the place to be. Beware there are signs posted stating "No Swimming", the waters are treacherous.

[lindajeff]

... anything close to the pier that we could do last...?

 

Only shopping and eating/drinking are particularly close to the pier - probably not what your teenage sons are looking for.

[dbdave]

The ships dock pretty much right in downtown so there are no beaches close, only shopping and eating. The island is not very big so a cab ride to just about anywhere doesn't take long. Eagle beach to the west is nice with calm waters. De Palm Island is about ten minutes to the east and is a great place. It is a small private island, short boat ride, all inclusive with drinks, food, snorkeling, etc. I think it was about $25 for a half day. There is also a SeaTrek helmet dive there that costs extra. The parrot fish here were pretty cool. There really aren't any beaches with surfable waves except on the north side of the island and there the coast is all rock, not recommended. The famous natural bridge unfortunately broke and fell about a year ago.

[Lsimon]

The ships dock pretty much right in downtown so there are no beaches close, only shopping and eating. The island is not very big so a cab ride to just about anywhere doesn't take long. Eagle beach to the west is nice with calm waters. De Palm Island is about ten minutes to the east and is a great place. It is a small private island, short boat ride, all inclusive with drinks, food, snorkeling, etc. I think it was about $25 for a half day. There is also a SeaTrek helmet dive there that costs extra. The parrot fish here were pretty cool. There really aren't any beaches with surfable waves except on the north side of the island and there the coast is all rock, not recommended. The famous natural bridge unfortunately broke and fell about a year ago.

 

Did you book through the ship - or just book or go there on your own?