Sports Events in Aruba

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Arashi Beach is located north of Malmok Beach, at the edge of a lovely residential area. It skirts a barren lunar landscape and the winding road that leads up to the majestic California Lighthouse. This is a quiet narrow stretch of beach with makeshift huts and a large parking area. A favorite with locals, Arashi Beach boasts gentle currents and abundant underwater life, making it a perfect spot for snorkeling.

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The excursions from the cruise ship in Aruba included scuba or snorkeling. I had originally chosen to do scuba of this wreck for both Bob and me, but he had an operation for melanoma on his arm, and he didn't want to get it wet, so he went on a land excursion instead.

One of the ladies had not snorkeled before. There was a lot of wind, and some current and this was not a site I would have picked for a beginner to snorkel. We picked up a mooring (of which there were only 3). They explained that the dive boat next to us was tied to the wreck. They said swim up current toward the bow of the ship, and then drift back, being careful not to let yourself get around on the stern side of the boats because you might not be able to swim back.

So I finned up to the end of the wreck and then came back on the other side. The divers were down on the bottom - maybe 30 feet - where the ship was broken into two pieces. I swam through their bubbles. There were schools of sergeant majors, and some coral on the upcurrent side of the ship. I did this twice, and then was out of film, so I handed the camera up and went out and did the whole thing again. About 10 40, they got us all aboard again. By this time two other catamarans and two other schooners or that type ship were there, and they wanted our moorings. Our trivia partners were on the MiDushi.

I have the impression that they don't normally do a morning snorkeling cruise

The afternoon cruise with several snorkeling stops is 3:30 pm Tue. through Sat. or 2:30 pm Sun. & Mon. (2-½ hrs) $37.50 adult; $17.00 child which includes an open bar. The ship charged $45 for an adult for what was to be a 3.5 hour cruise.

Equipment: I didn't take the digital camera, but I did take the film camera and the dive camera. I finished up the rolls in both of them. I put on my new dive skin, and got out my mask and snorkel. They gave us fins, and snorkeling vests and everyone else got masks and snorkels too. No one else had thought to buy or bring an underwater cameras.

The website says:
The spacious sailing catamarans Le Tigre, Pelican I, and Pelican Too, under the command of professional captains and gracious crew, glide silently through our magnificent waters. Comfortable seating, including a shaded area and lots of space to move around or lie down for sunning. Guaranteed enjoyment, music for dancing and relaxing, open bar and delicious buffet-meals served on deck. While anchored off one of Aruba'a beautiful beaches, there is opportunity for swimming and snorkeling. Or while moored at one of our World War II shipwrecks, witness the magical world of corals, and fish that have made these sites Aruba's most outstanding tourist attraction. Easy stairs for boarding and unboarding.

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There was a choice of several types of water tours from the ship. I picked a snorkeling tour to the Wreck of the Antilla. They told us to assemble out on the dock, and then brought us inside and had us sign a hold harmless, and then eventually an old catamaran with ragged sails came in on the other side of the pier from the Crown. Fortunately I listened to Bob and had put on my bathing suit because there was no place to change here.

The boat (Pelican II) had benches on two sides and in the middle, a hard bimini, and two marine heads, one of which didn't work. The captain (a sunburned Nordic type named Jost) didn't seem to have any instruments at all - no compass, no wind speed indicator - just the engine RPMs. He had two crew - a white boy named Ian with one earring, and a black boy whose name I couldn't understand. We motor sailed out to the lighthouse. (I think we are in one of Bob's pictures)

On the way out, they told us about the wreck and the story Bob got on his tour pretty much coincided with what they told us on the boat.. Apparently it was a new German ship at the beginning of WWII and was captured when hostilities started -- the German captain was afraid they'd use the ship against Germany and did not want to surrender it so he dropped the crew off (had them swim to shore) and heated up the boilers as hot as they would go and then let seawater into the ship. The explosion that resulted broke the ship apart and sank it.

We came back to the dock and I walked back to the boat - I saw Bob coming back just ahead of me.

Equipment: After we finished snorkeling the crew furnished everyone with alcoholic drinks of choice on the way back to the dock.

Afternoon Cruise 3:30 pm Tue. through Sat. or 2:30 pm Sun. & Mon. (2-½ hrs) $39.50 adult

Sunset Cruise 5:00 pm Tue. through Sat. (2-½ hrs) $37.50 adult

They also have a dinner cruise - can't imagine how they manage that
Dinner Cruise (with full course dinner) 5:00 pm Tue. through Sat. (4 hrs) $65.00 adult; $37.50 child

There were all sorts of activiteies right off the beach by our hotel. We went on the Banana boat, on a paddleboat, and my mom and I went on a snorkling tour while my father and sister went horseback riding. Apparently Mom and I chose wisely. I remember that neither my father or my sister had a good time with the horses. They said it was hot and dusty and the horses didn't behave all that well. Meanwhile Mom and I were louging on this beautiful boat seeing amazing things (I was too young but Mom got to have all the Bahama Mama's she wanted, lucky mom!)

Both time in Aruba my wife and I enjoyed the Mi Dushi Sailing Adventure. They take you to the sunken WW II German Freighter, "Antilla" where you can either snorkel around the ship and check out all of the sea life or stay on board and drink to your heart's content. The trip includes food (continental breakfast featuring Mimosas, fresh croissants & sweet rolls. Also includes a gourmet lunch featuring appetizers like beef wellington, seafood, grilled surf & turf, seasonal), snorkeling and the ever famous rope swing that takes you up to 40 feet away from the ship.

Equipment: Snorkel equipment is provided and the only thing you'll need is sunscreen (if your not going near coral) and a t-shirt (for those that burn in the sun). Other than that, bring your courage and try a summersault while swinging off of the rope swing. Be careful - it's open bar!

Tubing, Waverunner riding, fishing, etc....all the major watersports are represented on Palm Beach. There is a vendor/rental shack every 100 yards or less along the beach..they even rent snorkling gear... Since there are so many of them I would shop around a bit..they may not come down in price that much but you should be able to save enough for a happt hour drink....most can pick you up in front of their stands or at one of the small pier built out along the beach

Equipment: An urge to get wet...

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Kite boarding is what happens when you attach a single waterski of sorts and a tow line to a parasail type kite. North of Palm Beach....(hundred yards or so) you can rent the equipment or take a lesson. There are plenty of vendors along the beach offering lessons. Did not try it due to time constraints but if seem like fun..with all the wind here it would be a great place to give it a try.

Equipment: Rent it on the beach

Jethro will sail you out on the Blue Octupus for nice snorkel trip. If you like smaller and not over crowded and more of a one on one atmosphere, do not hesitate to board the Octupus. Located at the pier at the Holiday Inn. We take it two or three times a week while we are down there.

Equipment: SUPPLIED!