Top Aruba Shore Excursions

There are plenty of high-quality Aruba shore excursions to choose from. Looking at ratings and reviews given by previous customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Aruba UTV, ATV Adventure to Secret Beach and Cave Pool

• Aruba UTV Tour with Natural Cave Pool and Cliff Jumping

• Aruba North Coast ATV Desert Adventure

• Full-Day Aruba History and Must-See Landmarks Tour

• Half-Day Aruba Island Tour from Oranjestad

You’ll find Aruba shore excursions for pretty much any budget. At the low end of the price range, you can book 2.5-hour guided walking tours of Oranjestad for around US$45 per person. Snorkeling tours and water-based activities start around US$50 per person, while horseback riding and all-terrain vehicle tours begin at US$100 per person. At the upper end of the price range, you’ll find private boat charters that cost as much as US$3,000 per group.

Yes, guided Aruba shore excursions are worth it. Although Aruba is a small island, there's so much to see and do that you'll want a guide to maximize your time at the best spots. Whether your guide is a native Aruban or not, they'll be able to share valuable insight you won't find in brochures or online. Plus, guided excursions can be a great way to meet other travelers.

Per one customer who booked the Aruba UTV, ATV Adventure to Secret Beach and Cave Pool, "This was one of our favorite tours. We go to see a lot of the north side of the island, which is more remote. Machines were clean and well-maintained. Loved the energy that the guides gave, and they were super knowledgeable about the sights we stopped at."

Before booking Aruba shore excursions, make sure you know exactly how much time you have—cruise ships don’t wait for anyone (except maybe the captain). If your excursion doesn’t include port pickup and drop-off, leave plenty of time for travel. Also, if you plan to book a horseback riding or parasailing experience, note any weight requirements: maximum for horseback riding, maximum and minimum for parasailing.

To fully enjoy your Aruba shore excursion, pack light and bring just the essentials. For cash, a few small bills should suffice, as most places on the island accept credit cards (Visa or Mastercard are your best bet). US dollars are widely accepted, but you can also pay and tip in the local currency: Aruban florin. Try to embrace the island’s relaxed attitude and appreciate the locals’ warm sense of humor, too.

Even if you're short on time, you can find Aruba shore excursions to fit your schedule. Here are some of the best Aruba shore excursions to enjoy in an hour or less:

• Aruba Seabob Scooter Reef Tour

• Aruba Horseback Riding Tour to Hidden Lagoon

• Aruba's #1 Clear Kayak INSTANT DELIVERY@arubaphotoshootexperience

• Aruba's #1 Clear Kayak INSTANT DELIVERY@arubaphotoshootexperience

• Kids Parasailing Experience Aruba

There are tons of fun things to do in Aruba aside from shore excursions. According to previous travelers, these are the best activities to book for your next trip:

• Aruba Jet Ski Rentals

• Aruba Sunset Cruises

• Aruba Snorkeling Tours

• Aruba 4WD Tours

• Aruba Catamaran Cruises

Currently, the Aruba Mangel Halto and Baby Beach Snorkeling Guided Tour is considered one of the best beach excursions in Aruba. On this highly rated tour, you'll visit two beaches: one is more secluded, the other a local favorite, and boasts a fun beach bar. Both are great for snorkeling. Per one reviewer, "Our guides, Peter and Aaron, were awesome. Very knowledgeable and happy to answer questions. Snorkeling at both beaches was very good, especially at Baby Beach. Make time to check out the Reef Bar and swim in their infinity pool!"

There are a few ways to get to Eagle Beach from the cruise port. If you're short on time but not constrained by budget, then your best bet is to take a taxi—the drive takes about 10 minutes. You can also take the public bus (Arubus) for less than US$3 per person. Finally, if you feel like stretching your legs, it’s about a 3-mile (5-kilometer) walk north.

Yes, Aruba shore excursions include opportunities to snorkel and dive. You’ll find plenty of options, whether you have just one hour or half a day, and many tour operators specializing in snorkeling and diving are on the northwest coast. Most excursions provide the necessary equipment, so there’s no need to bring your own. Some even offer professionally shot and edited videos within the tour price or for an added fee.

The best way to see Arikok National Park depends on your tastes and preferred pace. While hiking is popular, it’s best to go on a park ranger-led tour if it’s your first visit. If you want a unique vantage point, consider a guided horseback riding tour or rent a bicycle. And if you’re short on time and want to cover a lot of ground, you can always drive through in a vehicle (but not off-road).

What you wear on a shore excursion in Aruba depends on what you’ll be doing, but you generally can’t go wrong with lightweight, breathable clothing and a hat if you’re worried about the sun. If you’ll be swimming, you’ll want swimwear, as well as a bag to put it in and dry clothes—if you wear wet clothing in a taxi cab, you may be fined. If you’re horseback riding, remember to wear closed-toe shoes and long pants. And if you’re doing an all-terrain vehicle or Jeep tour, you may want to wear a bandana around your mouth and nose to keep dust out.