Swimming beside a sea turtle is one of the best things you can do in Aruba, and it is easier than most visitors expect. Green turtles graze on the seagrass just off the west coast, and several small-group snorkel tours specialise in finding them, often with a guide who films you underwater. Here is where to see turtles, which tours are worth booking, and the rules that protect them.
- Species
- Leatherback, hawksbill, green and loggerhead turtles
- Where
- Calm west-coast spots such as Tres Trapi and Malmok, plus guided snorkel tours
- Tour length
- About 2 hours for most turtle snorkel tours
- Price range
- About $65-$120 per person for group and small-group tours
- Nesting season
- Nesting March to September, hatching May to November
- Cancellation
- Free up to 24 h on most bookings
Top-rated Aruba turtle snorkeling tours
Which turtle tour should you book?
| Small-group turtle snorkel | Private turtle snorkel | Shipwreck sail with turtles | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical length | About 2 hours | About 2 hours | Half day |
| Price on our booking cards | About $95-$100 | About $80-$90 | About $65-$119 |
| Best for | First-time snorkelers who want a guide | Families and couples, nervous swimmers | Groups who want a boat day, a wreck and drinks |
| Photos | Often includes underwater photos or video | Often includes video | Bring your own camera |
The most-booked turtle tours right now
- Aruba Turtle Snorkeling Private Tour with Underwater Footage (about $95, 4.9 stars from more than 750 reviews). The most-reviewed turtle tour on the island, with the guide filming you in the water.
- Aruba Turtle Snorkeling Tour, Photos and Videos Included (about $100, 5 stars, 520+ reviews). A two-hour tour with photos and video included.
- Award-Winning Private Turtle Snorkeling, Video Included (about $89, 5 stars, 230+ reviews). A private option for families or couples.
- Snorkel with Turtles at the WW2 Shipwreck, with Sunset and BBQ (about $119, 4.5 stars, 370+ reviews). Combines the Antilla wreck, a turtle stop and a barbecue on board.
- Banana Adventure Catamaran Shipwreck Snorkel and Turtle Swim (about $65, 4.8 stars, 220+ reviews). The budget option: a catamaran sail with a wreck and a turtle stop.
Prices and ratings are what the tours were listing at the time of writing; the live price is on each tour card above.
Where to see sea turtles in Aruba on your own
Tres Trapi, the three limestone steps at Malmok, is the most reliable spot: turtles graze on the seagrass just off the rocks, especially in the morning. The reef along Malmok Beach is also good. Boca Catalina and Mangel Halto are calm snorkel spots where turtles are sometimes seen too. If you want the best chance of an encounter, a guided tour helps: guides know where the turtles are feeding that week.
On land, Eagle Beach is one of the main nesting beaches. From March to September you may see roped-off nests in the sand, and hatchlings emerge from May to November.
Turtle rules that matter
- Look, never touch. Do not chase, ride or feed turtles, and give them space to surface and breathe.
- No lights on nesting beaches at night. Light, including phone flashes, can scare nesting females and send hatchlings the wrong way.
- Leave nests and hatchlings alone. If you find a nest or hatchlings, call the local turtle conservation group, Turtugaruba.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen and do not stand on coral or seagrass.
- Do not buy turtle-shell souvenirs. They are illegal to take home in most countries.
Pair it with
A morning turtle snorkel pairs well with an afternoon at Arashi Beach and a sunset at the California Lighthouse, all on the same north-west corner of the island. For more underwater options see the best snorkeling in Aruba and Aruba snorkeling tours.
