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Oranjestad & CapitalMarine Protected Area

Aruba Marine Park

Aruba's protected leeward reefs, seagrass, and shipwrecks

DifficultyEasy snorkeling to advanced wreck and reef diving
Area25 km²
DurationA few hours to a full diving day
Type
Marine Protected Area
Entry fee
No general entry fee; some dive sites and operators charge access or nature fees
Difficulty
Easy snorkeling to advanced wreck and reef diving
Duration
A few hours to a full diving day
Guide
Self-guided OK
Area
25 km²
Established
Network of protected marine zones along the leeward coast
Best time
Year-round; mornings for the calmest, clearest water
Hours
Open water, accessible year-round in daylight
UNESCO
Not a UNESCO site
Cell coverage
Good near the resort and harbour coast
Camping
Not allowed
FacilitiesDive OperatorsSnorkel Tour BoatsEquipment RentalBeach Access PointsDive Moorings
Key speciesHawksbill turtleQueen parrotfishFrench angelfishSpotted moray eelSouthern stingrayBrain coral
Key featuresAntilla shipwreckShore-accessible reefsSeagrass turtle habitatHigh visibility year-roundMultiple dive and snorkel sites
What to bringMask, snorkel and finsReef-safe sunscreenWater shoesUnderwater cameraDive certification if diving
WarningsDo not touch or stand on the coral; it is fragile and protected.Currents and depths vary, so check conditions before a shore snorkel or dive.Use reef-safe sunscreen to protect the marine life.
The park

Aruba Marine Park

Aruba's network of protected marine zones along the calm leeward coast. Sheltered reefs, seagrass beds, and the famous Antilla shipwreck make for warm, clear snorkeling and diving year-round.

The Aruba Marine Park protects the island's richest underwater habitats along the sheltered leeward coast, the calm, clear southwest side where the trade winds press the water flat and visibility stays high. Established to safeguard reefs, seagrass meadows, and shipwrecks under growing visitor pressure, the park spans a network of zones from the reefs off Oranjestad down toward the southern tip at Baby Beach.

Because Aruba sits outside the hurricane belt, the leeward water is warm, calm, and divable in every season. The park's signature site is the Antilla shipwreck, a 120-metre German freighter scuttled in 1940 and now one of the Caribbean's largest and most popular wreck dives, draped in coral and alive with fish. Snorkelers do well at the gentle reef-fringed shallows of Boca Catalina, Malmok Beach, and the seagrass beds of Mangel Halto.

Reefs, wrecks and marine life

The protected zones shelter parrotfish, angelfish, moray eels, sea turtles, and rays, with sponges and soft corals coating the reefs and wrecks. Calm conditions make it ideal for an Antilla shipwreck dive or a relaxed session of snorkeling at Boca Catalina. The healthy mangrove nurseries of Spanish Lagoon feed the marine life that thrives here offshore.

  • Never touch or stand on the coral, and use reef-safe sunscreen to protect the park.
  • Conditions are calmest and clearest in the morning before the afternoon breeze builds.
  • Dive the Antilla wreck with a certified local operator; depths and currents vary.

Reached from beaches and dive boats all along the leeward coast, the marine park is the underwater heart of Aruba's snorkeling, diving, and catamaran scene, divable and rewarding in every season.

Before you go

Park information

Entry feeNo general entry fee; some dive sites and operators charge access or nature fees
Opening hoursOpen water, accessible year-round in daylight
DifficultyEasy snorkeling to advanced wreck and reef diving
Guide requiredNo
Recommended durationA few hours to a full diving day
Best time to visitYear-round; mornings for the calmest, clearest water
Area25 km²
Nearest townOranjestad
Visit official website →Get directions →
Good to know

Park questions

It is a network of protected marine zones along Aruba's calm leeward coast, set up to safeguard the island's reefs, seagrass beds, and shipwrecks. The zones run from the reefs off Oranjestad down toward Baby Beach, covering the best snorkeling and diving waters on the island.
Plan your trip

This park is in Oranjestad

Base yourself nearby and pair the trails with the beaches, food, and attractions around Oranjestad.

Explore Oranjestad