An Aruba party boat tour is one of the most popular activities on the island — a sailing catamaran or schooner with unlimited open bar, snorkelling stops and music on the water. Here’s the complete guide to Aruba party boat tours and how to choose the right one.
• Cost: $65–95/person with open bar and snorkelling included
• Best known:Jolly Pirates (schooner), Pelican Adventures (catamaran)
• Duration: Half day (4 hours) or sunset cruise (2–3 hours)
• Open bar: Unlimited local beer, rum punch, soft drinks
• Snorkelling: 1–2 stops at coral reef and wreck sites
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Best Party Boat Operators in Aruba
Jolly Pirates
The most famous party boat in Aruba — a traditional wooden schooner (not a modern catamaran) with a genuinely fun, slightly rowdy atmosphere. Famous for the rope swing off the side of the boat. Open bar throughout. Snorkelling at the Antilla wreck and reef sites. Multiple departures daily. This is the most-reviewed and highest-rated party boat experience in Aruba. Book at least a week ahead in peak season.
Pelican Adventures
Catamaran-based tours with a more organised, slightly calmer atmosphere than Jolly Pirates. Good for groups who want a party experience without quite as much wildness. Open bar, snorkelling stops, professional guides. Also highly rated.
Sunset Cruise Options
If a full half-day party isn’t what you want, sunset catamaran cruises ($55–80) offer 2 hours of sailing along the coast with open bar and spectacular sunset views — a more romantic, less raucous alternative.
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What’s Included on Most Party Boats
- Unlimited open bar — local Balashi beer, rum punch, piña colada, soft drinks and water
- Snorkelling equipment — mask, fins and snorkel provided
- 2 snorkel stops — typically Antilla wreck (shallow sections) and a reef site
- Music — reggae and Caribbean music throughout
- Sun deck — nets to lie on, space to sunbathe
Tips for Booking
- Book 1–2 weeks ahead in peak season (December–April) — Jolly Pirates especially sells out
- Morning departures are better for snorkelling (calmer seas, better visibility)
- Afternoon/sunset departures are better for the party atmosphere
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen — you’ll be on the water for 3–4 hours
- Light lunch beforehand — open bar on an empty stomach is a bad idea
🎯 Book Top-Rated Aruba Tours
Free cancellation on most. Book ahead — popular tours sell out.
Free cancellation on most tours
For the wider set of sailing options, see every sailing option in Aruba.
Reef trips from Palm Beach
Half-day departures, most with hotel pickup.
Traveller favouriteVIP Morning Delight Champagne Sailing and Snorkeling with Lunch
$145 / person
Check dates & bookLive prices from Viator · free cancellation up to 24 hours before · we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Related Aruba Guides
- Aruba Catamaran Tours — all cruise options ranked
- Aruba Nightlife — bars, clubs and beach parties
- Aruba Boat Tours — complete boat tour guide
- Things to Do in Aruba — ranked activities
- Jolly Pirates Aruba: 4 cruises reviewed (live prices)
Aruba Party Boat: Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a party boat in Aruba cost?
Shared party boat cruises run about $60–95 per person for 2–4 hours with an open bar, music and usually one or two swim stops. A private boat for your own group is a flat price — ours is $825 for up to 12 guests, with a deposit paid online and the balance paid on the day of the tour directly to the operator.
Is there an age limit?
Most party cruises are 18+ because of the open bar; a few daytime sails admit families. Check the individual listing before booking a bachelor or bachelorette group.
What is included?
Typically unlimited rum punch, beer and soft drinks, a DJ or playlist, snorkel gear on the swim-stop cruises, and a rope swing or slide on the bigger boats. Food ranges from snacks to a full BBQ.
Where do party boats leave from?
Almost all depart from the Palm Beach piers (Pelican, De Palm and Hadicurari) — walking distance from the high-rise hotels and a $15–20 taxi from Eagle Beach or the cruise port.
Can I cancel?
Viator-booked cruises generally allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Weather cancellations are rare on Aruba’s calm west coast; if one happens you are rebooked or refunded.
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