Jolly Pirates Aruba is a fun-filled four hour sailing trip. It may be some of the best snorkeling you have ever enjoyed, with the Caribbean’s biggest shipwreck a real highlight of this delightful voyage.
*AD / Press trip. To read more please see my Disclosure Policy.
Leaping into the crystal clear waters from the side of our Jolly Pirates ship, I gazed down through the water in my snorkel and mask.
Having heard there was a 400 foot shipwreck sixty feet down on the sea bed, I wasn’t sure how much I would really be able to see of the wreck.
I was amazed to be able to clearly spot the hull of the SS Antilla resting on the sea floor. Surrounded by huge shoals of brightly coloured fish dashing and darting through the water.
It was an incredible experience.
Table of Contents
Joining the cruise
We had joined the Jolly Pirates Aruba ship on our summer trip to Aruba. There were around fifty other passengers on a morning cruise off the coast of Aruba.
The 85 foot schooner was well equipped with good quality snorkeling equipment for everyone on board. This included snorkels, masks, flippers and life vests for kids and adults too.
There’s a huge deck area, big enough for everyone to stretch out, and with an entertaining, friendly crew who made sure that everyone was well looked after we set off to sea.
Stopping at the SS Antilla
After a half hour sail we stopped directly over the wreck of the SS Antilla, which had been scuttled by its German Captain and crew at the start of World War Two.
Stepping gingerly in my flippers down the metal ladder for the first time I was pleased to discover the water was as warm as it had been closer to the shore.
As I ducked my head under the water and swam along the water’s surface I could instantly see the shape of the boat stretching out below me. And I realised I was surrounded by huge shoals of fish, of all shapes, sizes and colours.
Many of those on the Jolly Pirates Aruba boat had come to snorkel. But there was no pressure to join in if you wanted to just chill on the teak deck and sunbathe or enjoy the shade of the huge canopy over the stern of the boat.
Mooring near Malmok Beach – Jolly Pirates Aruba
Heading on to our next stop, my kids couldn’t wait to get into the water again.
We moored up just off the coast of Aruba at Malmok beach where the water was just twelve feet deep.
The children hadn’t tried snorkeling before this experience apart from a brief trip to the beach earlier in the week, but very quickly got the hang of it.
With the shallower and calmer water this was an ideal spot for them to get to grips with snorkel, mask and flippers. They were wowed by the fish swimming in and out of the reef, with parrot fish, angel fish and yellow striped grunts all making an appearance.
It was a brilliant experience for them which I’m sure they will remember as a real highlight of the trip.
Boca Catalina
Our final stop was the Boca Catalina further along the coast. Here we snorkeled more, swam and took turns leaping on the rope swing from the side of the ship and splashing into the sea.
Again this was a fun activity for those who wanted to take part, but there was no pressure to join in. If you just wanted to relax on board and watch the successful (and less successful…I’m looking at you Mr G!) swings into the water.
I love that our nine year old daughter was nervous but really wanted to give it a try and then didn’t want to stop so had a few goes at this, swinging into the water.
Included in the Jolly Pirates Aruba boat trip
Included with the four hour boat trip is a hearty pirates lunch in the shape of a BBQ or huge veggie wraps for non-meat eaters. And there’s an open bar with plenty of soft drinks and cocktails for the adults. For some of our fellow sailors this seemed more of a highlight than the snorkeling. But it never felt too rowdy for the children.
The trip was perfect for families, regardless of how experienced a snorkeler you are.
If you’re looking for a lively, music filled trip with great snorkeling, swimming and plenty of fun the high seas, the Jolly Pirates Aruba is an excursion which delivers everything it promises.
You can find our more about the Jolly Pirates excursion at their website. And check out our ultimate guide to Aruba with kids which is packed full of everything you need to know about visiting this beautiful island as a family.
Goodness the sea is so blue! I tried snorkelling in Antigua and loved it. What a great experience for the kids too!
This is such a fun and unique experience – it’s not everyday you can say you’ve spent the day on a pirate boat 🙂
That sounds like such a fantastic experience! I’d love to do something like this, looks a lot of fun
I’ve never tried snorkelling before but it sounds so much fun.
we’ve been on a schooner too and they are certainly impressive ships! Sounds like a great tour x
Oh that see looks so blue and beautiful, and that ship. Wow! I’d feel like a pirate on that. Sounds like a fantastic experience.
Oh my, looks like such an adventure. That ship looks amazing!
I would be petrified of jumping off of any boat as I’m not very good in water but I’d love a trip on a pirate styled boat. I love how clear and bright the sea is x