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Pelican Adventures
Tested by our Team

Pelican Adventures

Family owned since 1986, Pelican Adventures runs sailing cruises from Pelican Pier, plus off road safaris and island tours with local guides.

Who they are

Pelican Adventures was founded in May 1986 and is still owned by a local family. They sail custom built catamarans, run a lagoon cruise on the 115 foot teak schooner Monforte III, and offer guided island tours by jeep and open air bus with Aruban guides.

All cruises leave from Pelican Pier, on the beach behind the Holiday Inn Resort. On the water you can choose the afternoon sailing and snorkeling cruise, the longer Champagne Brunch & Aqua Safari, the Luxury Lagoon Cruise to Spanish Lagoon, the sunset cruise, the salsa themed Havana Sunset Cruise and the Exclusive Dinner Cruise with live music. On land there is the Full Island Off-Road Safari, the Natural Pool & Indian Caves safari, the Mangel Halto & Baby Beach safari and the Explore Aruba Bus Tour.

Talitha did both snorkel cruises. The 2.5 hour cruise leaves at 2pm and stops twice: at the Antilla shipwreck, deeper and darker and better if you are a confident snorkeler, and at Boca Catalina, calmer and bright blue. Her favorite spot on board was the trampoline deck at the bow. The brunch cruise adds a third stop at Malmok Reef, a full lunch and the third lung: an oxygen mask attached to the boat that lets you go under without diving experience.

We went ourselves

Tested by our team

We went out with them ourselves. Here is how it went.

Pelican_verkleind
Tested by Talitha
Sailing & Snorkeling Cruise incl. open bar

Afternoons only, leaving at 2pm. Two snorkel stops: the Antilla shipwreck, deeper and darker and best if you are a confident snorkeler, and Boca Catalina, calmer with fewer waves and that bright blue everyone pictures. Gear, life jackets, open bar and snacks are included, and there is shade if you need a break. Our favorite spot was the trampoline deck up front. One tip: wear a hat you trust, it gets windy and they will not turn back for it. Back around 5pm, in time to freshen up before dinner.

Talitha
Tour & Administration Manager
Pelican-7
Tested by Talitha
Champagne Brunch & Aqua Safari incl. open bar

The bigger sister of the Sailing & Snorkeling Cruise: four hours instead of two and a half, and three snorkel stops instead of two. Boca Catalina and Malmok Reef are the bright, clear ones, good for relaxed snorkeling or just swimming; the Antilla shipwreck is deeper and darker. The food is a step up too, with muffins and croissants early on, a full lunch later, fruit skewers in between, mimosas and an open bar. We also tried the third lung, an oxygen mask attached to the boat that lets you go under without any diving experience. Genuinely fun, but skip it if you are flying within 24 hours. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen and sunglasses, and hold onto your hat.

Talitha
Tour & Administration Manager

Who Pelican Adventures is right for

Snorkelers who want more than one reef. The sailing and snorkeling cruise stops at the Antilla shipwreck and Boca Catalina. The brunch cruise adds Malmok Reef.

Curious first timers under water. On the Champagne Brunch & Aqua Safari and the Luxury Lagoon Cruise you can try the third lung, no diving experience needed.

Couples planning an evening out. The sunset cruise leaves at 5:30pm, with an optional three course dinner afterwards at Pelican Nest Seafood Grill on the pier. The Exclusive Dinner Cruise serves four courses by a private chef with live music.

Travelers without a car. The Full Island Off-Road Safari, the Natural Pool & Indian Caves safari, the Mangel Halto & Baby Beach safari and the Explore Aruba Bus Tour pick you up at most hotels.

People who like to dance. The Havana Sunset Cruise has a salsa instructor on board, Latin music, mojitos and Cuban snacks.

Insider tip: Wear a hat you trust, or keep it in your bag. It gets windy on the catamaran and the crew will not turn back for it.

Our promise

Why book with us

Every activity on this page is bookable through us. Lowest price guaranteed, free cancellation, on-island support.

Local experts

We live on the island. Call or WhatsApp our team directly.

Lowest price, always

No platform markup, no booking fees. Find it cheaper? We will match it.

Talitha Marcella Stephanie Zara

Personally tested

Our local team has done every tour we list. If we would not take our own family on it, it is not on our site.

Free cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours before your tour for a full refund. Plans change.

Book Pelican Adventures

View all tours
Boat Tours · Underwater & Snorkeling

Sailing & Snorkeling Cruise incl. open bar

Pelican Adventures

★★★★★ 4.8 (1344)
$70per person
2.5 hours
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Adults Only
Luxury Tours · Underwater & Snorkeling

Luxury Lagoon Cruise incl. open bar

Pelican Adventures

★★★★★ 4.8 (1344)
$155per person
5 hours
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Jeep Tours

Full Island Off-Road Safari

Pelican Adventures

★★★★★ 4.8 (1344)
$135per person
8 hours
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Boat Tours

Sunset Cruise incl. open bar

Pelican Adventures

★★★★★ 4.8 (1344)
$79per person
2 hours
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Jeep Tours · Sightseeing Tours

Natural Pool & Indian Caves Off-Road Safari

Pelican Adventures

★★★★★ 4.8 (1344)
$95per person
5 hours
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Adults Only
Boat Tours · Luxury Tours

Exclusive Dinner Cruise

Pelican Adventures

★★★★★ 4.8 (1344)
$180per person
3 to 5 hours
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Recommended
Bus Tours · Sightseeing Tours

Explore Aruba Bus Tour

Pelican Adventures

★★★★★ 4.8 (1344)
$55per person
5 hours
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Boat Tours · Underwater & Snorkeling

Champagne Brunch & Aqua Safari incl. open bar

Pelican Adventures

★★★★★ 4.8 (1344)
$92per person
4 hours
Check availability
Jeep Tours · Sightseeing Tours

Mangel Halto & Baby Beach Off-road Safari

Pelican Adventures

★★★★★ 4.8 (1344)
$95per person
4 hours
Check availability
Boat Tours

Havana Sunset Cruise incl. open bar

Pelican Adventures

★★★★★ 4.8 (1344)
$79per person
2 hours
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Pelican Adventures FAQ

Where do Pelican Adventures cruises leave from?
All cruises start and end at Pelican Pier, on the beach behind the Holiday Inn Resort. Pelican Nest Seafood Grill is at the end of the same pier.
Does Pelican Adventures offer hotel pickup?
Not for the cruises: you make your own way to Pelican Pier. The Full Island Off-Road Safari, the Mangel Halto & Baby Beach safari and the Explore Aruba Bus Tour include pickup and drop off at most hotels. The Natural Pool & Indian Caves safari starts and ends at Pelican Pier at 8:30am, and pickup is available for it too.
What is the difference between the Sailing & Snorkeling Cruise and the Champagne Brunch & Aqua Safari?
The snorkeling cruise takes 2.5 hours from 2pm, with two stops: the Antilla shipwreck and Boca Catalina. The brunch cruise takes 4 hours from 9am, adds Malmok Reef as a third stop and includes breakfast, lunch, mimosas and the third lung.
Do I need diving experience for the third lung?
No. The third lung is an oxygen mask attached to the boat, so you can go under without any diving experience. Skip it if you are flying within 24 hours.
Can I book Pelican Adventures through My Aruba Guide?
Yes. All ten Pelican Adventures tours on this page can be booked through us.
from $55 10 activities
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