A private boat charter in Aruba means your own catamaran, sailboat or power boat with a captain, your own route along the west coast, and nobody else’s music. It sounds like a luxury; split six or eight ways it often costs little more per person than two seats on a shared cruise. This guide covers what you get, what it costs, and how to choose between the boats.
- Duration
- 3 hours (half day) is standard; 5-8 hours for full day
- Group size
- 2-30 depending on the boat
- Typical route
- Palm Beach to Malmok, Boca Catalina and the Antilla wreck
- Included
- Captain and crew, snorkel gear, drinks and snacks on most
- Extras
- Lunch, a chef, extra hours, sunset timing
- Cancellation
- Free up to 24-48 h on most listings
Top-rated private boat charters
The per-person maths
A shared catamaran cruise is priced per seat. A private charter is priced per boat for a set number of hours, usually with a maximum guest count. That means the more of you there are, the better the private option looks. As a rule of thumb, a private three-hour charter for eight to ten people costs roughly the same per head as a shared cruise, and for twelve or more it is usually cheaper. For a couple, a private charter is a splurge; for a family reunion or a group trip, it is the obvious choice. Check the live prices below and divide by your group.
Which boat?
| Boat type | Capacity | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private catamaran | 10-30 | Groups, families, parties; stable and spacious | Larger boats book out for high-season weekends |
| Sailboat / monohull | 2-10 | Couples, sailing purists, quiet | Heels in the wind; not for seasick guests |
| Power boat / speedboat | 4-12 | Reaching Baby Beach or the south coast fast; water sports | Louder, less shade, pricier per hour |
| Luxury motor yacht | 6-12 | Special occasions, proposals, chef on board | Highest hourly cost |
Top-rated private charters right now
Want us to set it up for you?
Tell us your date, group size and what you want (snorkeling, a sunset sail, a celebration on board) and our local team will find the right boat and captain and send you options with an exact quote. We can add a bartender, a photographer or a beach setup to make a full day of it.
Routes worth asking for
- The classic snorkel run: Palm Beach north to Boca Catalina for the fish, then the Antilla shipwreck. Three hours is enough.
- Sunset with dinner: depart around 4 pm, swim first, then drift for the sunset with a catered dinner. The sunset cruise guide compares this with the shared boats.
- Full-day south coast: only on a power boat or a long charter: Mangel Halto’s reef and the calm lagoons near Savaneta, far from the crowds. Ask specifically; most catamarans stay on the west coast.
- Turtle spotting: the reef off Malmok and Tres Trapi is the best area; ask the captain to slow down there.
Read what is included
Listings vary: some include an open bar and a full lunch, some include water and fruit only, some let you bring your own. Crew gratuity is expected and usually not included. Confirm the maximum guest count, because it is a hard limit set by the boat’s licence.
When a private charter is not the answer
If you are two people who simply want to snorkel the wreck and have a drink, a shared catamaran cruise is a fraction of the cost and a great morning. If you want a party atmosphere with strangers, the big open-bar sails deliver that better than a private boat. Book private when it is about your group, an occasion, or a route the shared boats do not run.
Pair it with
An adults-only hotel or the honeymoon itinerary for a special trip; a UTV day for the land half of the island; a dinner in Savaneta if you charter to the south coast.
Quick answers
How much does a private boat charter cost in Aruba?
Can I bring my own food and drinks?
Do private charters include snorkel gear?
Can we go to Baby Beach or the south coast?
🎉 Celebrating something? See 12 ways to celebrate a birthday in Aruba, or let us plan it for you.
