Thread: ARUBA - Report: DePalm Island "Ticket/Passport To Paradise"

Aruba - DePalm Island "Ticket/Passport to Paradise"

We enjoyed going to DePalm Island and had a GREAT time there!

A WARNING to those who desire a beautiful sandy beach: This is NOT the place for you. Go to Palm Beach, not DePalm Island!

Yes, there is a very small sandy beach area "roped off" on the front side of the island. It was quite slallow and basically for children. Also, it overlooked a water processing plant so it was certainly NOT paradise.

The other side of the island had a very nice view with beach chairs in both sunny and shady areas. The "beach" area was very calm and clear BUT the ocean floor was COMPLETELY covered with stones. (Be sure to take water shoes!)

The "HUB" of activity was the large deck and pavillion. All kinds of drinks (including beer, rum punch, etc.) were freely flowing when we arrived on the island at 9:14 AM. There was a breakfast buffet which changed over to a lunch buffet at 11:30 AM. Since we didn't eat anything, can't give an opinion; but, others seemed to enjoy it.

The beer was icy cold and the tasty rum punch was a bit stronger than you might expect at n/c at this sort of place.

SEEING THE HUGE NUMBER OF FRIENDLY BLUE PARROT FISH MADE THIS TOUR WORTHWHILE! As soon as you step into the water from the dock, they are there to greet you!

Anyone who can walk down five regular stair steps with a handrails can do this! The water is only 4 ft. deep (when entering) and quite clear and calm ... and very warm in January.
No real need for snorkel gear around the dock ... but nice to have a swim mask or goggles.

It was fun meeting lots of people from other ships and many on "land" vacations! All of the bartenders and staff were friendly and helpful. We had a GREAT time!

Certainly will be happy to try to answer any other question!

Gee, LuLu, I don't remember even hearing about DePalm Island, and I've stopped at Aruba on 3 cruises. It sounds interesting, but I'm a "tenderfoot" and love the sand out as far as I can touch. Are the fish very big?

This sounds neat place indeed!
I love threads like this that tell about a place that folks have visited and others might be planning to visit!
Members sharing information is making CLF better and better day by day

I gave CONTENT frubals to you on this post earlier, Lulu, but just had to respond, too

canarymoon .... Thanks for your kind comment!

houch .... There are a variety of colorful fish -- some larger than others. MOSTLY there are beautiful blue parrot fish (about a foot long) and pretty little yellow fish.

When I entered the water at the dock (down steps) the water was at my waist and I'm only 5'2". You would have to swim out some for it to be over your head.

All I could think was how great this would be for a first time shorkeler. Really, you don't even need to snorkel -- just a swim mask would be fine! It's impossible NOT to see fish!

Any info on the Waterpark? Is it included in the "Passport"?

LuLu, you aren't going to believe this....I am only 5'2" too!!! Actually probably 5'1 now....getting older, ya know!

Might just have to think about that island the next time I go to Aruba.

Originally Posted by Arubalisa

Any info on the Waterpark? Is it included in the "Passport"?

Good Question! When we were there, they told us it would be open THIS summer ('06) ....

From my local Aruba sources I have found out that the waterpark features are included in the Passport. The bad news however is that as fabulous as the waterpark is for Arubans, for Americans, with "only" 4 waterslides and a big dump bucket, it is a disappointment.

Found this thread!! Thanks for the wonderful discription Lulu about dePalm Island.

Thanks KK for your nice comment on the report. As discussed, I'll try to answer your other questions here.

-- The ride over was quite short and very calm ... maybe 10 minutes. It was not a big ferry like Nassau ... more of a water taxi/covered barge.

-- Almost everyone swam/snorkeled from the deck/pavillion area which did have a mostly sandy bottom and many were not wearing water shoes BUT I still would recommend them. We did our swimming/snorkeling first, then walked down the beach and sat in beach chairs in the shade and drank rum punch/beer!

Please feel free to ask if you have any other questions.