A rocky cove and turquoise water along Aruba's northwest coast
Snorkel site

Boca Catalina

Calm, shallow and easy for every skill level

3–15 ft

Typical depth

Beginners, kids, first-time snorkelers

Good for

Boca Catalina

Aruba's NW coast

Boca Catalina is a small, sheltered cove close to shore. The water is shallow enough that nervous swimmers can stand up if they need a break, and the cove blocks most of the current, so visibility stays good even when other spots are choppy. It's our default stop for families and anyone snorkeling for the first time.

A snorkeler smiling at the camera in the clear turquoise water off Boca Catalina
A parent and child snorkeling together, the schooner visible in the background

See it for yourself

Boca Catalina is one of three stops on our Morning Splash Adventure.

See the Morning Splash Adventure

Other snorkel sites

The turquoise coastline and rocky shore at Malmok Beach in Aruba

Malmok Beach

A livelier reef with a bit more current

Aerial view of the SS Antilla shipwreck resting in Aruba's turquoise water

SS Antilla Shipwreck

One of the largest shipwrecks in the Caribbean