Silversea Luxury Cruises To ORANJESTAD (Aruba)

Oranjestad, California Lighthouse, Bushiribana Gold Mill ruins, Ayo rock formations, Natural Bridge

This Accessible Aruba shore excursion lets you experience the best highlights of Aruba, combining city with the beautiful countryside. Visit the charming California Lighthouse, see the Bushiribana Gold Mill ruins, experience the famous Ayo rock formations, capture photos of the spectacular Natural Bridge and enjoy some shopping in Oranjestad.

California Lighthouse

Start your tour by meeting your tour guide and accessible van at the Aruba cruise dock. From here, you will head out on a short scenic drive along Druif Beach, Eagle Beach and Arashi, to your first stop of the day, the California Lighthouse. The light house is closed to the public but the area around it is fully accessible to explore and you'll be able to admire a great panoramic view of the island.

Bushiribana Gold Mill ruins, Natural Bridge

After your visit here, you will continue your tour with a drive through the scenic countryside to the east side of the Island. Along the way you will see the many beautiful highlights of the Island. You will see the fascinating Bushiribana Gold Mill ruins from 1874, which was the site of two former gold smelters, and see the famous Ayo rock formations, described as Bedrock City in the animated show, the Flintstones. You will also make a stop at the breathtaking Natural Bridge, one of the most beautiful places on the island to see. The bridge is carved by the brute forces of the waves into the limestone rock. Your tour guide will share the fascinating history of how the bridge was formed with you.

The final part of your day will be spent exploring the lively capital city of Aruba, Oranjestad. The area is peppered with little shops, vendors and beautiful architecture.

A friendly crew picks you up at the cruise pier in a custom-built catamaran.

Spend an evening sailing past Aruba's famous beaches, along the island's south coast and up the gorgeous west coast, taking in the spectacular Caribbean sunset. Experience the wind-in-your-hair pleasure of being under sail and gliding over clear, turquoise waters. Take advantage of the many photo opportunities as you pass famous Palm Beach.

Enjoy hors d'oeuvres and a glass of sparkling wine to make your evening even more perfect.

The crew will keep you comfortable and entertained during the two-hour trip and will return you to the cruise terminal at the end of this idyllic adventure.

SubSeeker Shuttle Vessel, Submarine, Shipwrecks

Embrace the undersea beauty of Aruba from a unique perspective during this scenic and memorable submarine excursion. Depart the pier aboard the shuttle vessel, the SubSeeker, for the brief transfer to the submarine, which is located just off the southeast coast of Aruba. After boarding the U.S. Coast Guard-approved submarine, relax in air-conditioned comfort and commence this unforgettable undersea experience.

Mi Dushi, Morgenster, Tropical Fish, Sponge Gardens, Coral Fields

Pass by a mysterious sunken airplane or the retired Danish sailboat, the Mi Dushi, and a sunken coaster, the Morgenster. While diving to depths of up to 130 feet (about 40 metres), take in close-up views of exotic marine life. Marvel at colourful schools of tropical fish, huge sponge gardens and the mystical beauty of the coral fields.

Your knowledgeable crew narrates this unique and entertaining experience. At the conclusion of your approximately 50-minute dive, re-board the SubSeeker ferry for the brief ride back to the pier.

Oranjestad, Frenchman's Pass, Southern Coastline

Enjoy the best sights of Aruba during this half-day tour by coach.

Depart the pier by coach with your licensed guide. En route, take in the sights of Aruba's colourful capital Oranjestad as it gives way to the scenic southern coastline. As you drive from Frenchman's Pass through the districts of Aruba learn about the island's first inhabitants.

Natural Bridge Ruins, Baby Natural Bridge, Casibari Rock Formations, Divi Divi Trees, beach

See the collapsed Natural Bridge and the Baby Natural Bridge before passing through a landscape shaped by the Casibari Rock formations - boulders the size of small houses, and punctuated with unique divi-divi trees. End your tour on one of Aruba's famous beaches where you will have about 1 hour of free time to take a swim, stroll along the beach or purchase a drink at the beach bar.

Upon the return to Oranjestad you have the option to remain in town for shopping, making your own way back to the ship.

Indulge your senses with the spectacular beauty of Aruba during this memorable swimming and snorkelling excursion to the west coast of the island.

Boca Cathalina

Depart the pier aboard a catamaran, and set sail for a two-snorkelling-stop cruise to the west coast of the island. Your first stop is at Boca Cathalina. Upon arrival, receive your snorkelling instructions and equipment then begin your guided snorkelling session at depths of approximately fifteen feet (about 4.5 metres). Along the way, marvel at the undersea treasures of the Aruban coastline.

The Antilla Shipwreck

Next, ride to the famous shipwreck, the Antilla, destroyed by an explosion that tore it in half during World War II, this 440-foot German freighter lays on its side in 60 feet (about 18 metres) of water with a small part of it sticking out of the water. Voted one of the world's Top 10 dive and snorkel sites, the Antilla is also the largest shipwreck in the Caribbean and offers a memorable diving experience.

After a guided swimming and snorkelling session at the wreck of the Antilla, commence the scenic ride back to the pier. En route, relax and unwind with unlimited rum punch, juice and soda, and the sounds of recorded music playing in the background.

Learn how to scuba dive in one day and discover Aruba's undersea treasures during this half-day guided scuba-diving excursion.

Discover Scuba Course

Depart the pier for the brief transfer to the dive shop. Upon arrival, commence your scuba diving academic course. Conducted under the guidance of professional instructors, this scuba course includes a one-hour academic and pool session, and a one-tank boat dive. All scuba equipment and instruction is included. The pool session teaches the student the basic principles of scuba diving, such as dealing with pressure, breathing through a regulator and how to use the equipment.

Scuba Diving at the Perdernalis Wreck

Afterward, board a dive boat for the brief ride to a shallow wreck, the Pedernalis, an oil tanker torpedoed by a German submarine during World War II. The wreck's several large pieces are spread out between coral formations. Its cabins, wash basins, lavatories, etc., along with the tanker's pipeline system, are visible. The area around the Pedernalis wreck is renowned for its diverse grouper species and an abundance of angelfish.

The guided, one-tank dive at the wreck of the Pedernalis takes place in depths of up to approximately 25 feet (about 7.6 metres), and is approximately 35-40 minutes in length. An instructor accompanies the students at all times throughout the diving session. Following your dive, commence the brief return ride to the dive shop, then transfer back to the pier.

Discover the pristine natural beauty of Aruba during this picturesque tour of the island's natural wonders.

Butterfly Farm

Depart the pier for the scenic drive to the Butterfly Farm, the number-one ecological attraction in Aruba, for an unforgettable encounter with nature in all of its diversity. Upon arrival, step into a tropical garden teeming with butterflies, and encounter some of the most colourful and unusual creatures in the world.

Aloe Factory and Natural Bridge

Next, your drive continues on to the Aloe Factory for a guided tour in the cultivation and process of the Aloe plant. From here, drive past numerous divi divi trees and cacti before arriving at the Natural Bridge. This natural wonder was carved out of solid coral by the relentless pounding of the surf. During your visit, see the ruins of the original bridge, which unfortunately collapsed in September 2005.

Your tour concludes with a drive through Oranjestad, the capital of Aruba, before transferring back to the pier.

Experience the splendid beauty of Aruba from above and below sea level during this half-day sightseeing excursion via semi-submarine and coach.

Seaworld Explorer

Depart the pier for the brief transfer to Palm Pier. Upon arrival board a ferry for the transfer to the Seaworld Explorer. This state-of-the-art, semi-submarine was developed in Australia for use on the Great Barrier Reef. The vessel does not submerge; rather, guests descend into the hull of the vessel and sit in air-conditioned comfort approximately five feet (about 1.5 metres) below the surface of the water.

Semi-submarine Ride

During your ride in this moving underwater observatory, view amazing sea life through large, clear glass windows. The Seaworld Explorer takes you to the wreck of the Antilla, a 440-foot (122 metre) German freighter destroyed by an explosion that tore the freighter in half during World War II. Delight in your incredible surroundings as your captain manoeuvres the semi-submarine through the heart of the Caribbean's largest shipwreck.

California Lighthouse and Natural Landmarks

After returning to shore, your tour continues with a drive to the California Lighthouse. Here, take in magnificent views of the crashing waves along the windward coast and the tranquil waters of the Leeward shore. Next, drive to the awesome Casibari Rock Formations, where you can climb the rock gardens to the top of the highest boulder. Your tour concludes with a photo stop at Aruba's second-largest natural bridge before commencing the approximate 30-minute drive back to the pier. En route, pass by the Gold Mill ruins at Boca Mahos.