Best Snorkeling Beaches in Aruba, North to South

Aruba's easiest shore snorkeling sits along the northwest coast. Arashi, Boca Catalina, Catalina Cove, Malmok, and Tres Trapi are all within a short drive of each other. Mangel Halto, farther south, is the other name that comes up again and again. Each one suits a different kind of swimmer, so pick by skill first and by fish second.

Arashi Beach: the best place to start

Aruba's tourism office calls Arashi good for beginners, with shallow water and a sandy bottom. Expect small, colorful fish, some larger ones mixed in, and palometas near shore. Frommer's notes elkhorn coral here too. The official beach page says the best area is on the left side when you face the sea, and that there are rocky sections close to the shoreline. Pack water shoes.

We cover the details in our Arashi snorkeling guide, including how to plan a morning in the water.

Boca Catalina: a small sheltered bay

Boca Catalina is a small bay in the Malmok area with steps down to white sand. Snorkel tours stop here for good reason. The tourism office lists palometas near shore, trunkfish, and sergeant majors, with bigger fish and corals farther out. MyArubaGuide says the best snorkeling runs along the rocky edges of the cove, and the sandy middle has less to see.

Catalina Cove: a swim north from Boca Catalina

You reach Catalina Cove by getting in at Boca Catalina and swimming north. Blue tangs, bar jacks, and barred hamlets are all listed here. Fish tend to hide near the rocks, so follow the edges of the coves.

Malmok Beach: lots of fish, rough entries

Malmok is a long stretch of small coves. The tourism office describes it as some of the best snorkeling in Aruba, with sergeant majors, bluehead wrasse, banded butterflyfish, trunkfish, and French angelfish. It also warns about sharp rocks near shore and many sea urchins. Wear fins or water shoes and avoid standing on the bottom.

Tres Trapi: for the sea stars

The name means "three steps," after the rock stairway into the water. There are fewer fish here than at the other spots, but the tourism office says there are many colorful sea stars. Look and leave them alone. Aruba's code of conduct asks visitors never to pick up starfish, even for a photo, because they can only breathe underwater.

Mangel Halto: strong swimmers only past the shallows

Mangel Halto has calm, shallow water and a mangrove setting. Parrotfish, squid, butterflyfish, yellowtail snappers, blue tangs, and stingrays are all on the official list. The entry has sharp rocks, currents and rough seas are possible, and the tourism office advises against it for weak swimmers.

What to bring to any of them

• Your own mask, snorkel, and fins. The tourism office says no rental vendors are close to Arashi.
• Water shoes for rocky entries.
• Oxybenzone-free sunscreen.
• Drinking water and snacks. Boca Catalina has no toilets, showers, or food, according to MyArubaGuide.
• A buddy. Do not assume anyone is watching the water for you.

Make one beach your base

You can snorkel several of these spots in one day, since they sit close together along the same road. It helps to have one place to come back to. Our sets at Arashi are one big umbrella and two beach chairs, set up and anchored before you arrive. Each set is held under your name from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, so you can leave for Boca Catalina and come back to your spot. The price is $120.00 per set per day, all in.

Book your set at least 24 hours ahead and you will get confirmation right away, with a map to your spot.

Source: Aruba.com: Top-Rated Snorkeling Beaches, Frommer's: Aruba Beaches, Aruba.com: Arashi Beach, MyArubaGuide: Boca Catalina, Aruba Code of Conduct. Conditions change, so check on the day.