Aruba Shore Excursions for Cruise Passengers

Ratings read on GetYourGuide on 6 November 2026; prices depend on the date and group size; check each listing's cancellation terms.

Getting around from the port

• Bus: Arubus runs from the main station, right across from the cruise terminal. Lines L10A, L10B and L10C go along the hotel strip to Eagle Beach, Palm Beach and Arashi: $2.60 per trip, $5 retour card, $15 day pass (arubus.com, read 6 November 2026).
• Taxi: fixed fares, not metered. Palm Beach to the cruise port is $33 and Oranjestad to Eagle Beach $16, plus $5 on Sundays, holidays and between 11 pm and 7 am. A private taxi for sightseeing is $60 per hour with a 2-hour minimum (Visit Aruba, updated May 2026).
• Entry form: cruise passengers usually do not need the ED card; confirm with your cruise line. See money and entry rules.
• Check the fine print: the island jeep safari listing says it cannot take passengers from Carnival ships, and the walking tour does not run on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays or Sundays.

More ideas: all excursions and snorkeling.

Plan the day around the all-aboard time

• The walking tour: 2.5 hours, leaving at 9:15 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Meet by 9:00 a.m. It is the shortest option and keeps you in Oranjestad.
• The snorkel sail: about 3 hours, leaving from the beach at the Hyatt Regency on the Palm Beach strip. It includes an open bar, and the aqua safari listing is rated 4.6 out of 5 from 89 reviews.
• The jeep safari: about 6 hours, with a 9:00 a.m. start from Bushiri 25 in Oranjestad. It goes into the interior, to the caves and to Baby Beach. The listing says it cannot take passengers from Carnival ships.

Ask your cruise line for the all-aboard time, then choose a tour that ends at least an hour before it.

What to see in Oranjestad on foot

The port is a short walk from the historic center. Fort Zoutman, built in 1798, is the oldest building on the island, and the Willem III Tower next to it dates from 1868 and was once a lighthouse and a clock tower. The Historical Museum sits between them. A tram runs between the cruise terminal and the town center, and the city is easy to see on foot in half a day. See Oranjestad.

Short stops in the afternoon

• Donkey Sanctuary Aruba: open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except 1 January. There is no admission fee, and donations are welcome. Visitors can feed the donkeys from the porch.
• Antilla wreck: the easiest way to see it is a snorkel sail from Palm Beach, which runs about 3 hours.
• Eagle Beach: the widest beach on the island, with public parking and shaded areas, a short taxi ride from Palm Beach.

Getting back to the port

Taxis are fixed-fare, not metered. From Palm Beach to the cruise port the fare is $33, plus $5 on Sundays, holidays and between 11 pm and 7 am. The bus is cheaper: Arubus runs from the main station opposite the cruise terminal, and a single trip is $2.60. Keep your return ticket and an eye on the time, since buses are not timed to your ship.

FAQ

What can I do in Aruba on a port day?

A jeep safari to the Natural Pool and caves (6 hours), a snorkel sail (3 hours) or a 2.5-hour walking tour, depending on your all-aboard time.

Should I book ahead?

Yes if you want a fixed departure: the jeep safari leaves at 9:00 am and the walking tour only three days a week. Check the cancellation terms on the listing.

Is the port close to the center?

Yes. Ships dock at Oranjestad and the bus station is across from the terminal. The jeep safari meets at Bushiri 25 in Oranjestad; the snorkel sail is on the Palm Beach hotel strip, about $33 by taxi.

Aruba Authority editorial team, 6 November 2026.