The short answer: worth it for families with young kids and for anyone who wants a full, active day with everything included. One ticket covers food, drinks, snorkeling, the water park and slides. Go early, and if you have a car, drive to the pier yourself to save on the ticket.
Our pick for this
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De Palm Island is a small private island just off Aruba’s south coast, a short ferry ride from the pier. You buy one all-inclusive day package and spend the day there: snorkeling right off the beach, a water park with slides, banana boat rides, a buffet and an open bar.
Who it is worth it for
- Families with young kids: the water park, slides and calm water keep kids busy all day, and you don’t have to pay for every snack and drink.
- Young adults who like lots of activities: if you want a whole day of fun with an all-inclusive vibe, this is it.
- Not the best pick if you want a party boat or several snorkel spots: De Palm Island is one location and has a calmer feel. For that, take a snorkel boat tour instead.
What the ticket includes
| What | Details | Included? |
|---|---|---|
| Food and drinks | Lunch buffet, snacks from the grill, and an open bar with cocktails, beer and soft drinks | Included |
| Snorkeling | Snorkel gear and a guided snorkel, right off the island | Included |
| Water park and slides | Kids’ water park and the bigger slides | Included |
| Banana boat | Rides through the day | Included |
| Flamingo Encounters | Get close to the flamingos for photos. Without it, you only see them from a distance. | Extra |
| SNUBA and Sea Trek | Breathe underwater without full scuba, or walk the sea floor in a helmet | Extra |
Packages and extras change from time to time, so check the current list when you book.
The snorkeling
The snorkeling at De Palm Island is amazing, with lots of fish close to the beach. It is all in one spot, though. A snorkel boat tour takes you around to different sites, so pick the island if you want a full day in one place and a boat if you want to see more of the coast.
Are the extras worth it?
For most people, no. The included options are great on their own, and we usually just stick with them. The one extra worth thinking about is Flamingo Encounters: if you really want photos with the flamingos or to be near them, add it, because without it you only see them from a distance. SNUBA and Sea Trek are fun if they are something you really want to try.
Local tips
- Go early. Take one of the first ferries for the best snorkeling and fewer people.
- Have a car? Drive to the pier yourself. Tickets without hotel transport cost less, the pier is easy to find, and there is plenty of parking.
De Palm Island or Flamingo Island?
De Palm Island is the full, active day: activities for every age, with food and drinks included. Renaissance (Flamingo) Island is quieter and adults-focused, with the famous flamingo beach. More in our guide: Is Flamingo Island worth it?
Why we link to Viator
Booking through Viator, you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before your day. Booking directly with De Palm, cancellations within 72 hours of your start time are not refunded.
De Palm Island day packages on Viator
Ratings, review counts and "from" prices come from Viator and refresh daily. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
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Not convinced? Try one of these instead
Same island, a different way to do it.
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Aruba Natural Pool and Indian Cave Rugged Jeep Safari
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Prefer to explore the wild side of the island? The Natural Pool by jeep.
Ratings, review counts and "from" prices come from Viator and refresh daily. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.