Things to do in Aruba › Aruba tours › Sunset cruises › Tropical Sailing Experience with BBQ Lunch or BBQ Dinner in Aruba
Tropical Sailing Experience with BBQ Lunch or BBQ Dinner in Aruba
★ #9 of 12 in our Sunset cruises list Picked from the 26 sunset cruises and dinner sails on Viator for Aruba, the way we pick every tour. Also #11 of 12 in our Catamaran and boat tours list.
Checked October 21, 2026 Viator listing, prices by option, departure times and pickup notes; the operator's itinerary
You sail from Varadero Marina to Mangel Halto with Tropical Sailing Aruba. The afternoon BBQ dinner trip runs daily at 3 p.m. for 4 hours and costs $135 per adult. Hotel pickup runs from 2:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., or you can meet at the marina. There's an open bar and early BBQ dinner. The reef stop gives you an hour to snorkel with gear provided.
Our check
Tropical Sailing Experience with BBQ Lunch or BBQ Dinner in Aruba at a glance
| Boat | Sailboat from Varadero Marina |
| Price is per | Per adult: $135; per child under 12: $75 |
| Hours | Four hours |
| Departs | Daily at 3 p.m. for BBQ dinner; 9 a.m. for BBQ lunch |
| Pickup | Hotels, 2:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. for the afternoon sail |
| Meeting point | Varadero Marina at Bucutiweg 34, on the same property as The Fish House Restaurant |
| Snorkeling | Mangel Halto reef, 60 minutes |
| Dinner | Early BBQ dinner at Mangel Halto |
| Main trade-off | No waiting at pickup; taxi to the marina if you miss the van |
| In the price | lunch, open Bar, use of snorkeling equipment, meals |
| Not in the price | nothing listed |
| Guide languages | English, Spanish |
| Cancellation | Full refund until 24 hours before the start; nothing after |
Read from the operator's listing on Viator for the named options, October 15, 2026. Prices are Viator's listed prices in US dollars, re-read every night; last read October 21, 2026.
What's included
- Lunch
- Open Bar
- Use of snorkeling equipment
- Meals
What's not included
- Nothing listed
Price by option
Which option to book
The 9 a.m. sail serves BBQ lunch; the 3 p.m. sail serves BBQ dinner. There's one option at $135 per adult for 4 hours with hotel pickup.
| Option | Price | Departures |
|---|---|---|
| Tropical Sailing Experience with BBQ Lunch or BBQ Dinner in Aruba | $135 per adult · $75 child 0 to 11 | 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. |
The catch: Afternoon pickup is from 2:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Missing the van means a taxi to the marina.
Route
How does the day work?
After the transfer you board at Varadero Marina. You sail to Mangel Halto for snorkeling and a BBQ meal.
- 30 min
1. Aruba
The transfer to Varadero Marina takes 30 minutes by bus or van. It starts at your hotel or the cruise terminal.
- 60 min
2. Aruba
You sail past Spanish Lagoon for 60 minutes, viewing it from the boat.
- 30 min
3. Aruba
The sail past Flamingo Island takes 30 minutes.
- 60 min
4. Mangel Halto Beach
The Mangel Halto reef stop gives you 60 minutes to snorkel with gear included.
- 30 min
5. Surfside Beach
The sail back along the shoreline toward Varadero Marina takes 30 minutes.
- 30 min
6. Aruba
The final 30 minutes bring you back to the dock at Varadero Marina.
The 6 timed stages fill all 240 minutes, including the transfer and 60 minutes at Mangel Halto. The 3 p.m. departure includes an early BBQ dinner at the reef before the return sail. The 9 a.m. departure serves BBQ lunch.
Pickup and meeting point
- Hotels: Come outside for afternoon pickup between 2:15 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Morning pickup runs from 8:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
- Cruise terminal: The transfer also picks you up at the cruise terminal.
- Meet at marina: Varadero Marina is at Bucutiweg 34, where you can meet. The Fish House Restaurant shares the property and works as a GPS destination.
- Missed pickup: The van leaves if you aren't outside when it arrives. Then you'll need a taxi to their office.
From the desk
- I'd take the 3 p.m. sail for sunset with BBQ. Come outside at 2:15 p.m. for the van.
Fit
Is this tour right for you?
Book the 3 p.m. sail for snorkeling and early BBQ dinner. The 4 hours include 60 minutes at Mangel Halto reef. Hotel pickup is included for $135 per adult.
Black Pearl and Blue Melody takes you snorkeling at Catalina Bay if your whole group is 18 or older. It runs on Mondays only. Dolphin has a swim stop if you want a sail of 2 hours.
Who it's not for
- This tour needs 4 hours of your time.
- Pick another sunset sail if you can't make the 3 p.m. departure.
Good to know
Know before you go
Take the 3 p.m. sail for early BBQ dinner with 4 hours for the tour. The 9 a.m. departure serves BBQ lunch.
Afternoon pickup is between 2:15 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., when you need to be outside. Morning pickup runs from 8:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. The van leaves if you're absent, leaving you to take a taxi to the marina.
You can meet at Varadero Marina at Bucutiweg 34, on the same property as the Fish House Restaurant. Pickup is also available from the cruise terminal.
Snorkel gear and the open bar are included. Alcoholic drinks are for ages 18 and up, with drinks without alcohol for younger travelers.
Bookings canceled at least 24 hours before departure get a full refund, and later cancellations aren't refunded.
The ticket is mobile only. Each booking takes up to 12 travelers and must include at least one adult.
Reviews
How is it rated?
Alternatives
Which tour should I choose instead?
The shorter snorkeling sail for adults
Adults Only Catalina Bay Small Group Snorkel & Sunset SailFor $135 per adult, you get 3 hours with snorkeling at Catalina Bay and assigned seats. It's for adults only and runs on Mondays.
★ 4.8 · 117 reviews · from $135 per adult
The shorter sail with a swim
Aruba Sunset Sail Cruise Aboard The Dolphin CatamaranThe 2 hours include a swim stop with a rope swing for $59 per adult. Dolphin serves snacks, and transport is yours to arrange.
★ 4.6 · 889 reviews · from $59 per adult
The dinner sail with tables
Aruba Sunset Sail Dinner Cruise with Open Bar by CatamaranYou sit at a table for a buffet with 3 courses at $137 per adult. Red Sail runs it for 3 hours on Wednesdays only.
★ 4.8 · 455 reviews · from $137 per adult
Good to know
People also ask
- Which Tropical Sailing Aruba departure includes BBQ dinner?
Early BBQ dinner comes with the 3 p.m. departure, while the 9 a.m. sail serves BBQ lunch. Both trips last 4 hours.
- Is hotel pickup included with Tropical Sailing Aruba?
Hotel pickup is included, and you wait outside between 2:15 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. for the afternoon sail. Missing the van means a taxi to Varadero Marina.
- Where does Tropical Sailing Aruba stop for snorkeling?
The Mangel Halto reef stop gives you 60 minutes to snorkel. You get the snorkeling equipment in the fare.
- How much does Tropical Sailing Aruba cost for adults and children?
It's $135 per adult and $75 per child under 12. The fare includes a meal with an open bar. Alcoholic drinks are only for ages 18 and up.
- Can I cancel Tropical Sailing Aruba for a refund?
Bookings canceled at least 24 hours before departure get a full refund. Later cancellations aren't refunded.
Prices as Viator lists them, re-read every night; last read October 21, 2026. Times and conditions as of October 15, 2026. Tours book on Viator at Viator's price; if you book through the button, Viator pays us a commission and your price is the same.