Spronk Turtle Snorkel And BBQ

Aruba: Snorkel with Turtles at WW2 Shipwreck & Sunset BBQ

★ 4.5 189 reviews

from $119 per person

Opens the operator's official listing with live dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation.

Duration: 4.5 hours
Meeting point: Confirmed after booking
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Meal: Meal included
Run by: Spronk Catamarans

Overview

The boat leaves from Renaissance Marina, by the pier at the back near Lucy's Retired Surfer Bar and Restaurant, and works its way up the coast while drinks circulate. The first hour is plain sailing, a chance to settle in before the water portion begins.

The swimming happens at three spots. Boca Catalina comes first, with transparent water and a white sandy shoreline, where local snacks are handed out. Then comes Tres Trapi, followed by the Antilla, the World War Two shipwreck that gives the tour its name. The barbecue is served at Boca Catalina, with a vegetarian option available, and the bar stays open throughout. Stand-up paddleboards and snorkel gear, including a choice of full-face or traditional masks with fins, are all part of the package.

The return leg doubles as the sunset sail, closing out the trip as the sun goes down. Reviewers ranging from children to a group of women in their seventies and eighties have all reported a good day, and the crew assist with the paddleboards for first-timers. Pickup, where offered, is selected at checkout.

What's Included

Included

Snorkel masks with fins. Choice of full mask or traditional
SUP boards
BBQ lunch or dinner included. Also, vegetarian options
All alcoholic beverages are included

Itinerary

Meeting at Renaissance MarinaCheck in at the pier in the back, by Lucy's Retired Surfer Bar and Restaurant. Pickup, if offered, is chosen at checkout.
Coastal sail from OranjestadRoughly an hour of open-water sailing along the coast with beer, cocktails, spirits and wine served on board.
Boca CatalinaSeventy-five minutes for swimming and snorkeling in transparent water along a white sandy shoreline, with local snacks served. The BBQ is served at this stop.
Tres TrapiForty-five minutes of snorkeling.
Antilla ShipwreckOne hour snorkeling at the World War Two wreck.
Sunset sail backHalf an hour of sailing back toward Oranjestad as the sun goes down, with drinks still flowing.
Return to Renaissance MarinaThe tour ends where it started. Two drop-off locations are listed, Noord and Tranquilo Charters.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points worth knowing before booking, drawn from the listing and from what repeated reviewers said.

Bring and wear. The listing asks you to bring towels and sun protection. A swimsuit worn under clothes is the obvious choice given three water stops.
Swimming level. Reviewers from young children to a group of women in their seventies and eighties all reported enjoying the snorkeling. Fins and a mask, full-face or traditional, are provided. Crew assist with the paddleboards for first-timers.
Food and drink. Dinner is a barbecue with a vegetarian option, and several reviewers singled the food out as a highlight, with one describing choices that included fish, chicken and ribs. The open bar covers beer, cocktails, spirits and wine for the whole trip. Snacks are served at Boca Catalina before the barbecue.
Wildlife sightings. Turtles are the big draw and multiple reviewers reported seeing them, sometimes two at once. There is no guarantee on any given day, but reviewers across several trips reported sightings along with plenty of fish.
Pace and timing. The trip runs 4.5 hours total, with about an hour of sailing before the first swim stop. That front-loaded boat time is worth planning for if you get restless. A small number of reviewers mentioned late departures or pickups, so build some slack into your evening plans.
Photos. The wreck and the sunset return leg are the photo moments reviewers mention. Reviews also describe lots of fish at the snorkel stops, so a camera you can use around water is worth packing.

Common issues. The most consistent complaint in the review pool is timing: the operator's own summary notes that some travellers mention late departures and pickups, and suggest clearer coordination. That same summary otherwise describes the tour as worthwhile and enjoyable, with praise for the crew, food and snorkeling. No exclusions are listed on the listing, so gear, boards, dinner and drinks are all in the ticket. Beyond the timing grumbles, the practical limits are the ones inherent to the format: it is a group catamaran trip, and sightings of turtles or specific marine life cannot be promised.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Price?

Snorkel masks with fins, either full-face or traditional, stand-up paddleboards, a BBQ dinner with a vegetarian option, and an unlimited open bar are all included. The listing shows nothing in the not-included column, so there are no stated extras to budget for on board.

Is Food Extra?

No. Dinner is part of the package, and one reviewer described choices including fish, chicken, ribs and vegetarian, though the listing itself confirms only a barbecue with a vegetarian option. Local snacks are also served at Boca Catalina, and drinks come from the open bar.

Is Hotel Pickup Included?

Pickup, if offered, is chosen at checkout rather than being automatic. Check the booking page for your hotel or area. One reviewer mentioned being picked up and dropped at the cruise port, so options vary.

Where Does The Tour Start And End?

Both the start and end point are Renaissance Marina in Oranjestad, specifically at the pier in the back by Lucy's Retired Surfer Bar and Restaurant. The listing also shows two drop-off locations, Noord and Tranquilo Charters.

Is It Suitable For Kids And Older Travellers?

Yes, based on reviewer accounts. One family with three adults and three kids called it the best day of their holiday, and a group of five women aged 70 to 83 said the crew took good care of everyone. The stops are swimming and snorkeling areas rather than open-water dives.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the listing offers a reserve-now-pay-later option so you can hold a spot without paying immediately. Any further terms are on the booking page.