De Palm Island’s all-inclusive packages make it easy to spend an entire day in the water or lounging on the beach with unlimited food and drinks. Relax under a cabana or grab a snorkel and get a glimpse of the beautiful coral reefs teeming with tropical sea life. Packages cover food and an open bar, snorkeling, ziplining, banana boat rides, air jumpers, the Blue Parrotfish Water Park (kids love the waterslides), salsa lessons, and other daily activities such as beach volleyball and field games. Upgrades from the basic package include other watersports such as SNUBA and the Sea Trek, an underwater helmet walk.
Beach chairs and palapas are available, but you should bring your own beach towel.
The coral island makes a great snorkeling spot but is tough on snorkelers’ feet; bring water shoes.
The kids’ corner offers kids activities, typically on weekends only.
Ferries and catamarans depart regularly for De Palm Island from Port De Palm. Package tours offer round-trip transportation from most Aruba hotels. If exploring Aruba by car, parking at Port de Palm is free, and ferry tickets are available at the terminal. The ferry terminal is just outside downtown Oranjestad, about two miles (3.2 kilometers) past the airport.
To make the most of an all-inclusive, full-day pass, it’s best to arrive in the morning. Aruba is busiest from January through April, when it would be wise to book your pass to De Palm Island in advance.
Snorkeling trips, right off the beach at De Palm Island, give big payoff, with views of abundant underwater life within the snorkeling area. Of particular interest are the native blue parrotfish, found in most of the Caribbean but particularly in Aruba. This vibrant blue fish makes for excellent underwater photo ops.