Aruba: Antilla Shipwreck & Catalina Bay Catamaran Snorkel

4.60

(446 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the water at Catalina Bay to be that clear — almost like glass, but with this gentle sway underneath. Our guide, Miguel, handed out masks and cracked a joke about “fish selfies,” which made everyone relax. I fumbled with my fins (always do) before slipping in. Right away, these blue parrotfish darted past, so close I could almost touch them. The sunlight made their scales flicker green for a second. There was this salty-sweet smell in the air that mixed with sunscreen and something fried coming from the boat — maybe the snacks?

After that first stop, we sailed further out towards the Antilla Shipwreck. I’d read about it before — WWII stories always get me — but seeing it below was different. The ship looked ghostly under the surface, all crusted over with coral and swarmed by yellowtail snapper. Miguel pointed out a stingray gliding by; honestly, I almost missed it because I was busy staring at these strange brain-shaped corals clinging to the metal. It felt weirdly peaceful down there — just muffled sounds and bubbles from everyone’s snorkels.

Back on board, people swapped stories while we dried off in patches of sun. The open bar helped loosen us up (try the rum punch if you go). I tried asking one of the crew about how you say “thank you” in Papiamento — pretty sure I butchered it because she laughed and then taught me again slowly. Sailing back toward Palm Beach, wind in my hair and salt on my lips, I realized I hadn’t checked my phone once all afternoon. That view of Aruba’s coast as we drifted home still pops into my head sometimes — not sure why it stuck with me like that.