Home / Guides / Aruba Boat Tour Guides
Transparent Boat Aruba: Everything to Know Before You Go
You may have seen the photos: a group of people sitting in what looks like a boat made of glass, floating over turquoise water. That’s the transparent boat in Aruba, and it’s a real tour you can book.
How it works
The hull is made of clear acrylic, sides and floor. It’s sturdy, it’s the same kind of material used for aquarium walls, and it means there’s no “good seat”. Everyone has a view straight down.
Where it goes
The 1.5-hour trip covers three spots on the calm northwest coast: the Antilla shipwreck, Boca Catalina and Tres Trapi, where sea turtles feed. You can snorkel at each stop with the gear provided.
Price
- $60 per person, minimum group of 5
- $600 for a private charter of the whole boat, up to 10 guests
You reserve online with a non-refundable $10 per person deposit and pay the rest on the day.
Photo tips
- Go early. The 9:00 AM departure usually has the flattest water, which means the clearest view through the floor.
- Shoot straight down. Hold your phone flat against the floor to cut reflections.
- Turn off the flash. It bounces off the acrylic.
- Wear color. Bright swimwear pops against the blue.
Is it safe?
Yes. There are life jackets for everyone, an experienced captain, and the route sticks to the sheltered side of the island. If sea conditions aren’t right, the captain can cancel and you’ll be helped to move to another date.
What you’ll see through the floor
At the Antilla shipwreck you look down onto a hull covered in coral and sponges, with fish moving in and out of it. At Boca Catalina it’s sand, coral heads and a lot of small, bright tropical fish. At Tres Trapi the hope is turtles, gliding along the bottom or coming up for air. Nobody can guarantee wildlife, but this stretch of coast is the best-known turtle area on the island.
Who it’s for
- Families with young kids (minimum age 1)
- Non-swimmers who still want to see the reef
- Couples looking for something different from another catamaran
- Groups who want photos nobody else back home will have
It isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers or anyone with back problems or a heart condition, and it isn’t wheelchair or stroller accessible.
Departure times
The boat leaves at 9:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 2:00 PM and 4:30 PM. The morning trips usually have the calmest water; the 4:30 PM trip has the warmest light for photos of the boat itself.
Is a transparent boat worth it?
If you only remember one picture from Aruba, there’s a good chance it’s this one. For $60 a person you get 1.5 hours, three stops, snorkel gear and drinks, and a view no other boat on the island gives you. For a group of 9 or 10, the $600 private charter costs about the same and the boat is all yours.