Where do cruise ships dock in Aruba?

At the cruise terminal in Oranjestad, a 10-minute walk from downtown. The De Palm pier for the submarine and the walking tour's meeting point are both within that walk. Palm Beach is 7 km north by taxi.

How long do cruise ships stay in Aruba?

Most ships dock between 7 and 9 a.m. and sail between 5 and 11 p.m. A few stay overnight. The schedule on this site lists the hours for every ship, month by month.

Can you do the Natural Pool from a cruise ship?

Yes. AGW leaves at 9 a.m. and is back around 1. Cross Aruba picks you up outside gate 5 at 8:15 a.m. and is back around 1:15. Both include the park fee. Rangers close the pool on high-swell days, so ask what the route is then.

Is it cheaper to book Aruba excursions through the ship or on your own?

On your own, as a rule: the same bus tours cost $49 to $55 here. The ship's desk sells the same operators with a margin on top. In return the ship waits for its own tours if they run late.

What can you do near the Aruba cruise port without a tour?

Walk downtown in 10 minutes: the fort, the museums, the shops on the main street. Take a $2.60 bus or a taxi to Eagle Beach, 5 km by road. The submarine pier is next to the terminal.

Things to do in Aruba › Aruba tours › Shore excursions from the cruise port

Top 12 Aruba shore excursions from the cruise port (2026)

Checked October 21, 2026 Pickup rules, times and what's in the price read on Viator, tour by tour; ships in port from the Port of Aruba schedule

I compared all 199 Aruba tours on Viator that pass our bar. I kept the ones that pick you up at the cruise terminal or meet you a short walk from it. Their morning runs finish by 3 p.m. Our selection: 12, picked the way every tour here gets picked. Every price is the adult price of the exact option, read on Viator.

See the comparison table Hide the table 12 tours side by side: type, departs, tour ends, pickup, hours, price

Shore excursions from the cruise port in Aruba, compared by the exact option

Tour	Type	Departs	Tour ends	Pickup	Hours	Rating	Price
1. Aruba UTV & ATV Adventure by RockaBeach Tours	UTV or ATV, you drive	9 a.m.	1 p.m.	by the Citgo, 8:15 a.m.	4 h	★ 4.9 9,050 reviews	$162 per vehicle
2. Aruba UTV Adventure: Animal Garden, North Coast & Andicuri Beach by Around Aruba Tours	UTV, you drive	9 a.m.	1 p.m.	cruise pickup 8:20 a.m.	4 h	★ 4.9 5,475 reviews	$122 per person
3. Half-Day Aruba Island Tour from Oranjestad by Fantasy Tours	air-conditioned bus	9 · 10 a.m.	1 · 2 p.m.	Ocean Drive store, gate 3	4 h	★ 4.7 1,511 reviews	$55 per person
4. Aruba Jeep Tour: Natural Pool, Caves and Baby Beach Adventure by AGW TOURS ARUBA	jeep with a driver	9 a.m.	1 p.m.	Ocean Drive store	4 h	★ 4.7 1,348 reviews	$89 per person
5. Aruba Ecological & Coastline Horseback Ride with Beach Photo Stop by El Paseo Ranch Aruba	horseback	7:30 to 10:30 a.m.	noon	at the port	75 min	★ 4.6 1,326 reviews	$115 per person
6. Aruba Atlantis Submarine Tour by De Palm Tours VBA	submarine	Hourly, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.	105 min after the start	walk to De Palm's pier	105 min	★ 4.6 1,271 reviews	$151 per person
7. Aruba Off-Road ATV Tour by Go Cherry ATV Tours & More	ATV, you drive	9 a.m.	1 p.m.	on request, 12 h ahead	4 h	★ 4.9 1,164 reviews	$90 per person
8. Colorful Beach Bus Sightseeing Tour of Aruba by RockaBeach Tours	open beach bus	10 a.m.	1 to 3 p.m.	by the Citgo, 9:15 a.m.	3 to 5 h	★ 4.7 799 reviews	$66 per person
9. Aruba Countryside Tour by AGW TOURS ARUBA	air-conditioned bus	9 a.m. · 2 p.m.	1 · 6 p.m.	Ocean Drive store	4 h	★ 4.7 675 reviews	$49 per person
10. Aruba Downtown Historic and Cultural Walking Tour by Aruba Walking Tours	walking tour	9 a.m.	11:30 a.m.	meet downtown	2.5 h	★ 4.8 674 reviews	$39 per person
11. Aruba Arikok National Park Jeep Safari: Natural Pool & Baby Beach by Cross Aruba Tours	safari truck with a driver	8:15 a.m.	1:15 p.m.	outside gate 5	5 h	★ 4.9 494 reviews	$95 per person
12. Aruba Island Sightseeing Tour by El Tours & Transfers	air-conditioned bus	8:30 a.m. · 2 p.m.	noon · 5:30 p.m.	inside the terminal	3.5 h	★ 4.7 388 reviews	$49 per person

Ratings and review counts come from Viator's catalogue, read October 15, 2026. Each one covers the reviews on Viator and on Tripadvisor together. Prices are the adult price of the exact option in US dollars, re-read from Viator every night (last read October 21, 2026). Times and what's in the price are the operator's own terms.

The 12

Our most recommended shore excursions in Aruba

Ranked by reviews. Every card carries the option we priced, what is in it and where you meet. And what the price leaves out.

#1 Most reviewed Per vehicle

Aruba UTV & ATV Adventure

The north coast on your own UTV or ATV, a guide in front. Pickup outside the terminal at 8:15 a.m., 4 hours of dust and 20 minutes to swim at Boca Catalina, back by 1. A 4-seat UTV is $386 per vehicle, about $96 each when 4 of you ride.

North coast · 4 hours · by RockaBeach Tours

★★★★★ 4.9 (9,050 reviews, Viator and Tripadvisor)

Per vehicle: single ATV $162, 4-seat UTV $386 · 4 hours from 9 a.m. · port pickup 8:15 a.m. by the Citgo station · drivers 18+ with a license · water and a cookie in, lunch not · free cancel until 24 h

The catch: No switching drivers once you leave. Bandana and goggles aren't in it; buy both.

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from $162 per vehicle

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#2 Family UTV Port pickup

Aruba UTV Adventure: Animal Garden, North Coast & Andicuri Beach

The family UTV: passengers from age 4, the animal garden first, then Alto Vista and 30 minutes at Andicuri. Cruise pickup at 8:20 a.m. for the 9 a.m. run, back by 1. Priced per person, 2 to 5 seats per machine.

North coast · 4 hours · by Around Aruba Tours

★★★★★ 4.9 (5,475 reviews, Viator and Tripadvisor)

Per person, UTVs of 2 to 5 seats · 4 hours from 9 a.m. · cruise pickup 8:20 a.m. · passengers from 4, drivers 18+ · animal garden entry, bandana and water in · free cancel until 24 h

The catch: Per person, not per vehicle: a family of 4 pays 4 fares in one UTV. Rough terrain, in their own words.

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from $122 per person

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#3 Bus, $55 Port pickup

Half-Day Aruba Island Tour from Oranjestad

The sightseeing bus for $55. The aloe factory and the lighthouse, then Alto Vista, the Ayo rocks and the natural bridge. 4 hours in air conditioning with a guide, 9 or 10 a.m. Pickup at the port. The tour I'd send parents on.

North and center · 4 hours · by Fantasy Tours

★★★★★ 4.7 (1,511 reviews, Viator and Tripadvisor)

Per person · 4 hours at 9 or 10 a.m. · air-conditioned bus, guide · port and hotel pickup 35 minutes before · kids 3 to 12 at $35, under 3 free · free cancel until 24 h

The catch: No refund if you miss the pickup. Nothing to eat in the price.

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from $55 per person

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#4 Natural Pool Park fee in

Aruba Jeep Tour: Natural Pool, Caves and Baby Beach Adventure

The Natural Pool with the park fee in the price and a pickup at the terminal. 4 hours from 9 a.m.: 2 hours inside Arikok, 35 minutes at Conchi with gear, half an hour at Baby Beach. Back by 1.

Arikok and Baby Beach · 4 hours · by AGW TOURS ARUBA

★★★★★ 4.7 (1,348 reviews, Viator and Tripadvisor)

Per person · 4 hours from 9 a.m. · park fee, snorkel gear, snacks and water in · port and hotel pickup · kids 5 to 11 at $69 · free cancel until 24 h

The catch: Rough and bumpy, in their own words. Rangers close the pool on high-swell days; ask AGW what the route is then.

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from $89 per person

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#5 Horseback Port pickup

Aruba Ecological & Coastline Horseback Ride with Beach Photo Stop

75 minutes on a horse through the countryside to a beach photo stop, and back on the ship by lunch. Slots from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. and pickup at the cruise port. Riders from 5, up to 250 lbs.

Countryside, north coast · 75 minutes · by El Paseo Ranch Aruba

★★★★★ 4.6 (1,326 reviews, Viator and Tripadvisor)

Per person, 2 per booking minimum · 75 minutes at 7:30, 8, 9:30 or 10:30 a.m. · port and hotel pickup · riders 5 and up, max 250 lbs · helmet, photos and water in · free cancel until 24 h

The catch: Book at least 2 riders. The 6 a.m. sunrise ride starts before most ships dock. The 5 p.m. ride at $105 suits ships that sail at 10 or 11 p.m.

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from $115 per person

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#6 Submarine Walk from the ship

Aruba Atlantis Submarine Tour

A real submarine, 130 ft down, and it leaves from the De Palm pier a few minutes' walk from the ship. 105 minutes with an hour under water, hourly from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ages 4 and up, 36 inches tall.

Oranjestad, from the pier · 105 minutes · by De Palm Tours VBA

★★★★★ 4.6 (1,271 reviews, Viator and Tripadvisor)

Per person · 105 minutes, hourly from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. · meet at De Palm's pier in Oranjestad, no pickup · kids 4 to 9 at $137 · air-conditioned, US Coast Guard approved · free cancel until 24 h

The catch: The cabin is tight, and they say so themselves. No food or drinks.

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from $151 per person

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#7 ATV, $90 Ages 18 to 65

Aruba Off-Road ATV Tour

A Polaris 570 quad, single or double. 4 hours on the north coast: the natural bridge, 15 minutes at the Andicuri surf beach and the gold mill ruins. $90 a head on a double, mornings only at 9. Ask for the port pickup 12 hours ahead.

North coast · 4 hours · by Go Cherry ATV Tours & More

★★★★★ 4.9 (1,164 reviews, Viator and Tripadvisor)

Per person, single or double ATV · 4 hours from 9 a.m. · pickup on request, 12 h ahead · ages 18 to 65 · helmet, water and the fuel surcharge in · free cancel until 24 h

The catch: The pickup happens only if you contact the operator 12 hours before. The tour ends at 1 p.m. at the Paradera base, so allow time for the ride back to the port. Andicuri has strong surf and currents, so stay on the sand.

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from $90 per person

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#8 Beach stop Port pickup

Colorful Beach Bus Sightseeing Tour of Aruba

RockaBeach's open beach bus: the rocks and the gold mill, Alto Vista and the lighthouse, then 40 minutes at Arashi Beach. 3 to 5 hours from 10 a.m. with music on board, back between 1 and 3. Give them your ship's name when you book.

North coast and Arashi · 3 to 5 hours · by RockaBeach Tours

★★★★★ 4.7 (799 reviews, Viator and Tripadvisor)

Per person · 3 to 5 hours from 10 a.m. · port and hotel pickup · snacks and a guide in, snorkel gear not · kids 4 to 11 at $43, under 4 free · free cancel until 24 h

The catch: Cruise passengers must give the ship's name at booking. Bring a towel and something for the sand.

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from $66 per person

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#9 Bus, $49 Port pickup

Aruba Countryside Tour

AGW's air-conditioned countryside bus for $49. The lighthouse and Alto Vista, the Casibari rocks and the aloe factory, the gold mill. 4 hours from 9 a.m. or 2 p.m., back around 1 or 6. Pickup at the port, kids at $30.

North and center · 4 hours · by AGW TOURS ARUBA

★★★★★ 4.7 (675 reviews, Viator and Tripadvisor)

Per person · 4 hours at 9 a.m. or 2 p.m. · air-conditioned bus, guide, water · port and hotel pickup · kids 4 to 10 at $30, under 4 at $20 · free cancel until 24 h

The catch: You give them the ship's name, docking time and all-aboard when you book. Lunch isn't in it.

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from $49 per person

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#10 Lowest price Walk from the ship

Aruba Downtown Historic and Cultural Walking Tour

Oranjestad on foot with a local guide: the fort, the museums, 30 stops and 2 local bites. 2.5 hours from 9 a.m., and the meeting point is a few minutes' walk from the terminal. $39, the cheapest thing on this list.

Downtown Oranjestad · 2.5 hours · by Aruba Walking Tours

★★★★★ 4.8 (674 reviews, Viator and Tripadvisor)

Per person · 2.5 hours from 9 a.m. · Monday, Wednesday and Friday · meet downtown, no pickup · museum entries, 2 bites and water in · kids 2 to 11 at $29 · free cancel until 24 h

The catch: Passengers of Carnival, Holland America and Princess book this one through the ship, not here. P&O too.

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from $39 per person

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#11 Natural Pool Gate 5 pickup

Aruba Arikok National Park Jeep Safari: Natural Pool & Baby Beach

An open-air safari truck to the Natural Pool with the park fee in. You walk out of gate 5 at 8:15 a.m. and the truck waits 30 meters to the right. 5 hours: Arikok and 20 minutes at Conchi, then Fontein Cave and half an hour at Baby Beach.

Arikok and Baby Beach · 5 hours · by Cross Aruba Tours

★★★★★ 4.9 (494 reviews, Viator and Tripadvisor)

Per person · 5 hours from 8:15 a.m. · park fee, water and snacks in · pickup outside gate 5 of the terminal · kids 4 to 15 at $74 · free cancel until 24 h

The catch: Allow 5 hours plus the ride back before your all-aboard. Lunch isn't in it.

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from $95 per person

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#12 Bus, $49 Late-ship slot

Aruba Island Sightseeing Tour

El Tours' island bus at 8:30 a.m. for $49, kids the same price. The aloe factory and the rock formations, the gold mill and Alto Vista, then 20 minutes at the California Lighthouse. 3.5 hours. The 2 p.m. run exists only for ships that dock after 8.

North and center · 3.5 hours · by El Tours & Transfers

★★★★★ 4.7 (388 reviews, Viator and Tripadvisor)

Per person, kids 3 to 12 at $49, under 3 free · 3.5 hours at 8:30 a.m., or 2 p.m. for late-docking ships · air-conditioned bus, guide, water · pickup inside the cruise terminal · free cancel until 24 h

The catch: No child rate. The afternoon departure is for cruise guests only.

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from $49 per person

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Which one

Which shore excursion is right for you

Most ships dock between 7 and 9 a.m. and sail between 5 and 11 p.m. Your ship sets the all-aboard time. A 4-hour tour from 9 a.m. gets you back around 1, with the afternoon for the beach or the shops across the road. Check each tour's finish time against your all-aboard before you book.

For the north coast on your own wheels, RockaBeach picks you up at 8:15 a.m. and prices per vehicle. Around Aruba does the same loop at 8:20 a.m. with passengers from age 4. On a quad, Go Cherry is $90 a head.

For the Natural Pool, AGW and Cross Aruba both include the $22 park fee and pick up at the terminal. Cross Aruba waits outside gate 5 at 8:15 a.m.

On a budget or with grandparents, take a bus. Fantasy Tours and AGW do the lighthouse, the chapel and the rocks in air conditioning for $49 to $55. The walking tour starts 5 minutes from the ship for $39, and the submarine leaves from the pier next door.

Close, but not on the list

Highlights of Aruba Island Tour Kini Kini's minivan highlights tour with the ostrich farm, $70, cruise terminal pickup at 8:30 a.m. · on Viator ↗
The Whole Story Tour with A Ride the San Nicolas mural tour with a ride, 2 hours for $45, 9 or 9:30 a.m. · on Viator ↗
Aruba Baby Beach Express Tour 3 hours at Baby Beach with the donkey sanctuary on the way, 5.5 hours for $55 from 10 a.m. · on Viator ↗

Good to know

Know before you go

The ship day Most ships dock between 7 and 9 a.m. and sail between 5 and 11 p.m. A few leave at 3 or 4, and a few stay overnight. Your ship sets the all-aboard time. The port schedule on this site shows both hours for every ship.
Where the pickup is RockaBeach meets you outside the terminal, in front of the Citgo station. Around Aruba waits at the Diamonds International corner by gate 3. AGW and Fantasy Tours meet in front of the Ocean Drive store, to your right as you leave the gates. Cross Aruba meets there too: out of gate 5 and 30 meters right. El Tours meets you inside the terminal building. Go Cherry comes only if you ask 12 hours ahead. The walking tour and the submarine start a few minutes' walk from the ship.
Your own tour or the ship's The same buses and jeeps sell through the ship at a higher price. Book your own and you keep the difference; the risk is yours if the tour runs late. The ship's desk sells the same operators with a margin on top. In return the ship waits for its own tours if they run late.
Some ships block outside bookings The walking tour can't take passengers of Carnival, Holland America and Princess; P&O too. Those book on board. ABC Tours, not on this list, doesn't take Carnival passengers at all.
What to bring A towel and a swimsuit under your clothes for anything with a beach stop. Cash for the $22 park fee on tours that don't include it. A driver's license for anything you drive.
Three-ship days A 3-ship day can put about 10,000 people ashore, and most of them want the same morning. Book before you sail, not on the pier.

Good to know

Top 12 Aruba shore excursions from the cruise port (2026)

Shore excursions from the cruise port in Aruba, compared by the exact option

Our most recommended shore excursions in Aruba

Which shore excursion is right for you

Know before you go

People also ask