De Palm Island: The Ultimate Guide
Find out what De Palm Island in Aruba is really like and if it’s worth a visit during your trip to Aruba.
Located just off the western coast of Aruba, De Palm Island is a private island that offers visitors a perfect blend of relaxation and exhilaration. Renowned for its all-inclusive experience, De Palm Island offers a tropical escape where the beautiful Aruban waters meet white sandy shores with water adventures and snorkeling excursions all at your fingertips – for one price!
As a popular destination for families, couples, and solo travelers in Aruba, De Palm Island is a great place to relax for a day, eating, drinking, sliding down water slides, and more. Let’s dive into the details so you can dive into the fun!
Disclosure: Some of the links below may be affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase.
Quick Facts: De Palm Island
- Location: Private island off Aruba’s western coast, near the airport
- Access: Ferry only, from De Palm Island Ferry Terminal
- Cost: $100+ per person (varies by ticket type and transportation option)
- Recommended Time: 4 hours minimum; full day recommended
- Best For: Families, couples, all-inclusive day-trippers, flamingo fans
- What’s Included: Food, drinks, snorkel gear, banana boat rides, waterslides, beach chairs
- Flamingos On-Site: Yes, Chilean and Cuban flamingos (closer encounters available via Beach Cabana or Premium Seating upgrade)
What is De Palm Island in Aruba?
De Palm Island is a private island located off the western coast of Aruba in the Caribbean. It is a popular waterpark in Aruba due to its many attractions and activities that extend far beyond your traditional waterpark.
I’d even consider it one of the best day trips in Aruba as you’ll be able to enjoy everything from snorkeling and water slides to all included food and drink, and – it’s one of only two places you’ll find flamingos in Aruba!
Read on to find more details on what makes De Palm Island one of the best excursions for those seeking an adrenaline rush in Aruba.
Check out this short promo video of De Palm Island to get a feel for the island!
Tickets to De Palm Island
There are two different ticket types for De Palm Island: those with transportation and those without transportation. Ultimately, selecting one just comes down to if you have rented a car in Aruba or not. If you have not, you’re better off having them pick you up than trying to negotiate a taxi there and back.
These tickets come in at over $100 each, so you’ll want to plan to spend at least 4 hours there to make the most of it. Honestly, I recommend you spend the entire day there to truly get the most out of the island and the ticket price. After all, did I mention it’s all-inclusive?! Let’s take a look at what that means.
| Ticket Type | Includes | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| With Transportation | Round-trip pickup + ferry + island admission | Travelers without a rental car |
| Without Transportation | Ferry + island admission only (you drive to the terminal) | Travelers with a rental car who want free terminal parking |
Included Activities on De Palm Island
While tickets to De Palm Island can be a bit pricey, it includes a lot of activities as well as unlimited food and drink. Here’s an overview of what is included in your ticket price.
- All-Inclusive Food & Beverages: Tickets to De Palm Island include all your food and drink for the day. Enjoy the lunch buffet from 11 am – 3 pm which features local and Caribbean fare. Have a snack, like a burger, chicken tenders, or fries at their grill from 12 – 4pm. Grab a cocktail, beer, or soft drink from their open bar from 10 am – 4:45 pm. Actually, grab more than one!
- Snorkel Gear & Free Snorkeling Tours: Don’t miss the opportunity to check out the coral reef at De Palm Island. Your ticket includes snorkeling gear and instruction along with two times per day snorkeling tours. Choose to stay in waist-high waters or head out deeper.
- Unlimited Banana Boat Rides: Kids 10 years and over can take unlimited banana boat rides! Yes, adults too. The rides start at 11 am and close for a 30 minute lunch sometime throughout the day – at their discretion.
- Waterslides or Body Drop Slides: Get you adrenaline fix by riding one of the waterslides at De Palm. Choose from twisting tunnels and free-body slides. Must be at least 4 feet tall to ride these slides.
- Kids’ Waterpark: Take the little ones to the new waterpark to enjoy activities like shooting water cannons, zipping down slides, going under water showers, and getting soaked by a tipping bucket.
- Relaxation: If all you want to do on De Palm Island is relax next to beautiful water along the beach, while sipping a few drinks, you’re in luck! De Palm includes beach chairs and palapas for shade in your ticket… and of course cocktails. You just need to pack your own towel.
Flamingos on De Palm Island
In addition to the above attractions at De Palm Island, there is one other draw to the island – flamingos. That’s right, De Palm Island is one of two places you can see flamingos in Aruba. The other being Flamingo Beach on Renaissance Island.
On De Palm, you’ll find two different types of flamingos: Chilean flamingos and Cuban flamingos. They live their life in a reserved section of the island. Regular ticket holders are able to admire the flamingos and take pictures from a distance, but for a more intimate flamingo encounter, like at Renaissance Island, you must rent a Beach Cabana or pay for Premium Seating.
Is it worth going to De Palm Island just to see Aruba’s flamingos? That’s up to you, but it offers a lot more to do than Renaissance Island. So if seeing flamingos in Aruba is important to you, De Palm is a great option! Particularly if you are traveling to Aruba with kids. They’ll love the activities and the flamingos on De Palm!
Premium Add-on Attractions at De Palm Island
In addition to all of the above items, of which there are many, there are a few more add-ons if you want to experience all that De Palm Island has to offer. These activities are for adults and kids over 8 years old. Both are considered an add-on to your ticket – aka additional $$$ – and must be booked in advanced.
- SNUBA: Ever wanted to try scuba diving but haven’t gotten certified? Try SNUBA! You’ll be connected with air underwater to allow you to breathe easily, without wearing heavy, technical dive gear. Book a one hour experience to see the best of the underwater world.
- Sea Trek: Another option is to walk on the sea floor with a Sea Trek excursion. This one hour activity allows you to enjoy the underwater world, including exploring a sunken Jeep and bus, and taking photos at the underwater Sea Trek Cafe, all while wearing a special diving helmet that feeds you the air you need!
Can you go ziplining in De Palm Island?
Once upon a time, De Palm Island was home to the only zipline in Aruba. However, this has since been closed and removed. You’ll have to enjoy all of other activities they offer!
How to Get to De Palm Island, Aruba
Having a rental car in Aruba can make your life much easier, but sometimes it just doesn’t matter if you have your own transportation or not, because there are other options. That’s the case for De Palm Island.
They know many vacationers don’t have their own transportation so they give you two options – tickets with transportation and without transportation. Learn more about both below.
1. Book a Ticket with Transportation to De Palm Island
Want to do a day trip to De Palm Island but don’t have your own set of wheels? Don’t worry. There’s tickets to De Palm that include transportation to the ferry terminal and over to De Palm Island. Just book the ticket that includes transportation and work directly with the provider to set up your pickup time and place.
Book your De Palm ticket with transportation here.
2. Drive Yourself to De Palm Island
If you’ve rented a car in Aruba, you’re in luck. Parking at the De Palm Island Ferry Terminal is free, and you can just grab the ferry over to the island from there. To find it, just head past the airport and take a right at the third roundabout. There will be a sign pointing you in the direction of De Palm Island.
Book your De Palm Island ticket here.
What to Pack for De Palm Island
You’re headed to one of the best waterparks in Aruba! Wear your swimsuit, coverup, and sandals. Then take the following with you to be prepared to have the most adventure filled day ever.
- Towel: While you’ll find De Palm is all-inclusive in many ways, they surprisingly don’t include towels, so make sure to pack your own!
- Snorkeling Gear: If you have your own snorkel gear, take it to De Palm Island. You won’t have to worry about sharing germs or poor fitting masks. Having your own traditional mask or a full face snorkel mask allows for a better seal around your mask, allowing you to snorkel with ease. Best part? You then can snorkel elsewhere in Aruba for free!
- Sun Protection: The sun in Aruba is strong! Take a reef-safe sunscreen with a high SPF to protect your skin. Apply it before heading into the water. You may also want consider wearing a long-sleeved rash guard or UV-protective clothing to minimize sun exposure. Check out these affordable options for men and women. Lastly, remember your sunglasses or hat!
- Water shoes: To protect your feet from the rocky terrain, consider taking water shoes or aqua socks with you.
- Underwater Camera: If you have an underwater camera, like a GoPro, or a waterproof case for your phone, pack it for De Palm so you can capture the beautiful marine life you encounter.
- Locking Bag: While De Palm Island is located off the main island, there are a lot of people coming and going all day. If you plan to take anything valuable with you, take a locking bag to protect them while you’re off having fun, like a Vaultz money bag or FlexSafe by AquaVault.
Is a day trip to De Palm Island worth it?
Absolutely! De Palm Island is definitely worth a visit for various reasons. For one, it offers an all-inclusive experience, meaning you can indulge in unlimited food and drinks while enjoying a range of activities. Additionally, the island’s stunning beaches provide a perfect place to relax.
Whether you’re into water sports or prefer to bask in the sun on the beach, De Palm Island caters to every member of the family. With a waterpark, banana boat rides, and other exciting attractions, it’s a great destination for families with small kids or just couples looking to have some fun together.
Best of all? The convenience of an all-inclusive package makes it a hassle-free day where you can really let loose – especially if you’re not staying at one of the amazing all-inclusive resorts in Aruba. It’s a great way to get the experience but at a fraction of the cost.
That all being said, if you’re more into intimate and quiet beach experiences, you may want to skip De Palm Island. It’s a lively place full of activities and that’s just not for everyone. Otherwise, I’d say it’s a must-visit destination in Aruba, particularly for those spending 5 or more days in Aruba! Treat yourself!
FAQs about De Palm Island
Have additional questions about visiting De Palm Island in Aruba?
Let us know in the comments!
