3 Adventurous Things To Do In Aruba
3 Adventurous Things To Do In Aruba:
Conchi Natural Pool, Catamaran Champagne Snorkeling, Feeding Flamingos
There are so many things to do in Aruba and there are so many reasons to fall in love with Aruba. The crystal clear waters, the predictably perfect weather, and all of the adventurous things to do in Aruba make it the perfect vacation destination– especially for adventure seekers.
With so many fun things to do in Aruba, it’s hard to do them all, but there are three activities you must experience before your visit ends!
Things To Do In Aruba:
Conchi Natural Pools Jeep Tour
One of the most unique places to visit and fun things to do in Aruba is visiting the Aruba Natural Pool, also known as the Conchi Natural Pool. The Conchi Natural Pool is natural pool in the ocean that is formed by the rock formations surrounding it. The Natural Pool is at the end of a treacherously bumpy and steep unpaved road. If you love a little adrenaline-rush, this is the perfect activity for a hot day. To get to the natural pool, you have two choices, you can rent a jeep and drive yourself, or you can go on a jeep tour.
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To do-it-yourself, you will need to rent a jeep or another 4x4 vehicle, it’s best to do this in advance. Most of the car rental companies will not allow you to take their vehicle off-roading, so you will be taking a risk by doing this yourself. If you go out on your own, know that you absolutely should have a 4x4 vehicle and a buddy.
As someone who is a do-it-yourselfer when it comes to travel, I usually steer clear of tours. I tried to rent a jeep at the last minute, but there were none available for my stay, so I opted for a tour with De Palm Tours.
I expected a run-of-the-mill tour, but what I received instead was a thrilling adventure. The jeep safari was exciting, bumpy, dusty and dirty, especially on the ride to the pools. The jeeps go in teams, with several jeeps caravanning together for the day. The skilled drivers drive this route daily, and with the extra tires and lift that you wouldn’t have by renting a regular 4x4 vehicle, they are able to speed over the bumps and steep inclines to give you a real adventurous experience that you wouldn’t be able to have in a normal vehicle. I was legitimately scared while driving to the pool, as the ride isn’t for the faint of heart, but being a little nervous was part of the adventure and excitement!
After taking a swim in the Conchi Natural Pool, the tour will explore a few more parts of the island, including a stop at the Natural Bridge, a stop at Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins, a stop at Alto Vista Chapel, and a drive past the California Lighthouse.
As someone who generally prefers to visit destinations on her own, I was so glad that I decided to take the tour instead. It made for a memorable and exciting day!
De Palm Tours has two tours a day, at 9am and 1:45pm, $102 for adults and $79 for kids.
Champagne Snorkeling Cruise
One of the best ways to spend a day in Aruba is to get out on the water! One of the best things to do in Aruba to get out on the water is to take a catamaran tour. I joined Pelican Adventures for an Aqua Safari on one of their catamarans for some champagne, sunshine, and snorkeling. The trip was all inclusive. The Aqua Safari included a continental breakfast on-board, champagne and other alcoholic beverages, and all equipment.
The day begins with a brief introduction to your fellow passengers, followed by breakfast as the catamaran sets sail. Drinks are unlimited, but the environment was still family friendly with a couple of kids on board (but mostly adults).
There were three stops for snorkeling– including a stop at the famous WWII German shipwreck, the Antilla. Among all of the things to do in Aruba and see, this shipwreck is one of the most memorable!
The catamaran also had a breathing system on-board, similar to compressed air in a scuba tank, allowing more adventurous snorkelers to dive deeper, and stay down longer.
Tours depart in the morning and are $52 for adults and $27 for kids.
Feeding Flamingos
Of all the things to do in Aruba, feeding the flamingos on the beach may be the most photographed!
Many travelers visiting Aruba are aware of the flamingos, but what they don't realize is there is only one private beach where you can see flamingos in Aruba.
The only way to guarantee a flamingo interaction while in Aruba, is to stay at the Renaissance hotel. The property owns a private island, which is home to the pink flamingos you see photos of, everywhere on instagram. The hotel offers a select few day passes to visit their private island, but often they become unavailable (even if reserved in advance) to keep the numbers of visitors to a minimum. This is why it's best to book at least one or two nights at the Renaissance to guarantee your visit with the flamingos.
The flamingos become disinterested in the food as the day goes on, so get there early. I arrived at 8am, but it may be best to arrive closer to 10am, this is when kids must leave the adults-only beach, and the flamingos are much more calm.
Feeding a wild animal is exciting and unpredictable, but that's part of the fun. Please remember these are not pets, and they may bite at you if you are disturbing them (don't worry it doesn't hurt). It's best to hold food out and let them come to you!
Aruba is filled with adventure, and no matter how you decide to spend your time, you will fall in love with the island of Aruba!
If you are looking to visit Aruba, check out more fun reasons to visit Aruba in this article: