Ferries and Boats in Aruba

Aruba travelers should be aware of one important fact: If you are planning a visit to a nearby island, don't expect to arrive by boat. Unlike many Caribbean islands, Aruba does not have any ferry boat connections; even to Bonaire or Curaçao, despite the trio's political association. Nearby Venezuela is also unreachable by island ferry.

Travelers will be able to reach these three locations by smaller commuter airlines and island-hopper jets only. Some travelers may be able to charter a boat to reach these countries, but these popular day-trip destinations are mainly reachable through air travel.

Visitors in the past may have found Aruba ferry services available, but currently they are not.

The one ferry service available travels from Aruba to a tourist attraction, De Palm Island. De Palm Island is a popular spot just 5 miles from Aruba's shores and is the place for pristine snorkeling around Aruba.

Also popular among vacationers are glass-bottom boats, dinner and sunset cruises and fishing and dive adventures. Although transportation is not the primary objective of water crafts circling Aruba, many kinds of activities are available from the deck of a boat.