From the moment I booked my trip to Aruba, I knew I had to explore both land and sea. When I found a half-day cruise that combined snorkelling and a champagne brunch onboard, I was immediately sold! It turned out to be one of the highlights of my trip, and here’s why.

The cruise I booked was called “Aqua Champagne Brunch Cruise” with Pelican Adventure Tours. We were told to meet at Pelican Pier at 8:30 a.m. for check-in, with boarding at 8:50 a.m. The pier is just a short walk along the beach from the hotel I was staying at, making it super convenient since it’s close to several popular hotels—no need for a cab! Check-in was a breeze; we signed waivers and received a slip with the boat’s name so we’d know which one to board, as there were several tours leaving around the same time.

It wasn’t long before it was time to board the boat, and we were welcomed by the very friendly staff and given a brief orientation once we set sail. The boat was a large catamaran with lots of places to sit and relax, including various nets at the front. The cruise was fully booked but it never seemed crowded. There were shaded seats as well as sunny spots, so you could cool off from the hot sun if a swim in the sea wasn’t enough! 

After a fun orientation, we were served breakfast, and the bar opened, offering mimosas to kick off the day! The music started, and everyone was in high spirits as we sailed along the coastline, admiring the crystal-clear blue waters of Aruba. Breakfast included a variety of different pastries and breads.

After finishing breakfast, we arrived at our first snorkel spot. Snorkel equipment and life jackets were provided to those that wanted to explore marine life, along with defogging spray for the snorkel masks. There was a huge variety of different tropical fish, and with the water clarity so blue, we managed to spot so many different species, and even saw a turtle coming up for air! While stopped at the snorkel spot, the bar remained open serving more mimosas, and many other drinks made to order, most of which featured rum! 

There were two more snorkelling stops, including a visit to Antilla, a 400-foot-long German freighter sunk during WWII. It wasn’t terribly far underneath the surface and was really quite amazing to see just from snorkelling above the surface. The last snorkel spot was a visit to the shallow Malmok Reef which had less of a current and was much easier to navigate swimming that life jackets were not required at this spot. 

After a thrilling couple of hours exploring Aruba’s waters, we were treated to a delicious lunch featuring potato salad, seafood paella, and fruit salad sticks. The fun and excitement never waned, thanks to the lively staff and the upbeat music that played throughout our trip.

As we pulled back into the dock, you could tell everyone was sad to leave but in high spirits after such a fun adventure! I would definitely book this tour again. I’m also really interested in trying out some of the other tours Pelican Adventures offers, which I’m sure are held to the same high standard!

As a summary, here is what is included in the Aqua Champagne Cruise: 

• Breakfast on board the boat 
• Champagne and mimosas 
• Three snorkelling spots 
• Snorkelling equipment, life jackets and “third lung” equipment to try! 
• Professional guides 
• Open bar with unlimited drinks 
• Seafood lunch on board 

Here are a few things I’d recommend bringing on this trip:

• Lots of reef-safe sunscreen (the sun is intense, and you’ll need to reapply if you’re in and out of the water)
• A towel (I used a microfiber towel that dries quickly)
• An underwater camera (GoPro/Insta360) if you want to capture photos of the marine life
• A hat for the boat ride
• Snacks if you can’t eat breads for breakfast or seafood for lunch
• A water-resistant bag (our belongings didn’t get too wet on the boat since there are little cubbies under the seats, but there was some splashing from the waves, so you’ll want to protect your electronic equipment)
• A little cash to tip the staff

Ready to book the Aqua Champagne Safari? Click Here!

Looking for places to stay in Aruba? Check out my review of “Boardwalk Hotel, Aruba”

You can find out more about my stay on my “Aruba” Highlights on Instagram @chase.the.rainbows.

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