Stephanie Schelling
Publisher · Adventure Seeker & Cool Mom
Usually the first to say yes to a new tour. Below you find every tour I tested on Aruba and the tips I would give a friend.
Quick facts
Stephanie in six answers
Where it began
Aruba, in my twenties. I met my husband here
Home today
Curaçao, after 15 years between both islands
Most recent tour I tested
Island Ultimate Safari, ABC Tours
Travels with
My husband and our two children
Always first to
Say yes to a new tour
Tours tested so far
12, from jeep safaris to flyboarding
About me
Where my Caribbean story began
Aruba is where my Caribbean story began. I lived here, met my husband here and have kept coming back ever since: first in my twenties, then as a couple, and later with our two children. Same island, very different perspective. I have spent the past 15 years between Aruba and Curaçao, and today I call Curaçao home.
I'm active, curious, and usually the first to say yes to a new tour. I also want to know what we recommend rather than simply repeat what sounds good online. So my tips come with the practical questions too: Is it worth the drive? Will the kids enjoy it? And would I genuinely send a friend there?
Tested by Stephanie
Tours I did myself
Every tour below carries my pink hat. I booked it, joined it and wrote down what I really thought, including the things the brochure does not tell you.
Off road
ABC Tours
UTV Thrill-Seekers – All Inclusive, Natural Pool, Swim ‘N’ Cliff Jump
"We signed up for ABC Tours' UTV Thrill Seekers tour, and the standout detail here is that it actually gets you to the Natural Pool, or Conchi. UTVs technically aren't allowed all the way to the pool, so ABC Tours has a jeep staged inside Arikok National Park, you ride the UTV most of the way, then switch to the jeep for the final stretch down to the water. It's a clever workaround and it means you get the best of both worlds, the thrill of the UTV plus a swim and even some cliff jumping at Conchi. ABC Tours is a family run business that's been doing this for years and recently replaced their entire UTV fleet for better quality and comfort, and they've picked up several awards along the way. They now also offer a six seater UTV if you're in a bigger group. Our tip: wear closed shoes, the terrain gets rough."
Fun & nightlife
Bushiri Karting
Go-Kart Racing
"A friend and I raced go-karts at Bushiri Karting. The track surprised us with how big it actually is, definitely bigger than the karting tracks we're used to. The karts have real pep to them, reaching up to 45 mph. The whole place has proper racing energy too, with a restaurant and bar area built in the same racing style, so you feel like you've arrived somewhere special. Staff walked us through the safety rules carefully, helmets on, clear instructions. There's even a smaller track for younger kids if you're bringing family along. At 25 dollars a ride it's a great short activity to slot into your day, and it's only about ten minutes from the Palm Beach hotel strip, so easy to fit in. Our tip: wear shorts and closed shoes rather than a skirt, and tie your hair back so nothing gets caught while you're racing."
Off road
ABC Tours
Island Ultimate Safari
"Did the ABC Island Ultimate Safari in one of their jeeps and it's easily one of the most comfortable off-road rides on the island, they clearly put real effort into that, it still bumps around like a safari should, just in a good way. Fun tip: you sit in a circle instead of regular rows, so you're always facing outward, way better view than being stuck in the middle of a normal car. At 8 hours it's the longest jeep tour ABC runs, and it shows, you go from the Lighthouse all the way to San Nicolas, hitting basically every landmark on the island, Natural Pool, Baby Beach, all of it. Lunch is included and genuinely good, a proper local plate with a choice of fish or chicken, plus a backup option if that's not your thing. Really nice full day to see a lot of the island."
Off road
Kini Kini Tours
ATV Adventure
"We booked the ATV Adventure with Kini Kini Tours, which is a genuinely different feel from a UTV since there's no roof over your head at all. That makes it feel a lot more hardcore and exposed, like you're really out there in the wilderness rather than just riding through it. You do get properly dirty, so skip your nicest outfit for this one. You can book it for two people on a single ATV, with one person riding behind the driver, which brings the price down per person compared to going solo. The stops along the way are genuinely worth it, past the Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins, the rugged Andicuri coastline, and the Natural Pool, with some great viewpoints along the way. The guide was friendly and made the whole thing easy even though the terrain gets rough. Just wear clothes you don't mind ruining."
Water
Delphi Watersports
Banana Boat Ride
"Did the Delphi Banana Boat Ride, basically the same idea as their Tube Ride but on a banana boat instead, and it's just as fun. Quick tip: don't wear your sunglasses, they won't survive the ride. Like the Tube Ride, it's a fun, easy way to see Aruba's coastline from the water without much effort. Delphi Watersports is genuinely reliable too, they listen to what you want and make it work. Short, simple, and just a really good time."
Water
Delphi Watersports
Tube Ride
"We tried the tube ride at Delphi Watersports, and it's easily one of the more fun quick activities you can do with the family. There are all kinds of tube styles to pick from, single, twin, triple, kneeling or lying down, even a four person bandwagon, so everyone can choose how wild they want it. Delphi's crew is genuinely good at reading what you want, if you want to go easy they'll tone it down, and if you want it rough they'll happily throw you around a bit more. You get towed along the Palm Beach coastline, which is honestly a nice view on its own even before the actual thrill kicks in. It's only 15 minutes, but it's fifteen minutes of laughing and screaming. Our tip: leave your sunglasses on the boat, there's a good chance you'll end up in the water at some point."
Off road
ABC Tours
Half-Day UTV Rental
"What I liked most about this one is the freedom, you rent your own UTV and build the day exactly how you want it, no guide tagging along and no fixed route. The fleet is genuinely impressive, eight UTVs, all new and clearly well maintained, and they come in fun colors that make for great photos. There are 2, 4 and 5 seater options, so you can bring the whole family along in one vehicle if you want. The half day gives you enough time to explore at your own pace, whether that means taking it slow along the coast or heading further out to the desert trails. Snorkel gear and ice jugs are included, which is a nice touch if you plan to stop somewhere along the way. I actually drove one of these myself and they really handle well, smooth and easy to control even off road. Just know you're on your own for navigation, so it helps to have a rough plan before you set off."
Fun & nightlife
Chogogo Tours
Sunset Bus Tour with Champagne Toast on the Beach & Barhopping
"We tried the Sunset Party Bus Tour with a friend and didn't expect it to be this much fun! The bus itself is set up smart, seating around the outside, a dance floor with poles in the middle, plus a dedicated DJ and a hostess who sings, dances, and basically gets the whole bus dancing within minutes. Open bar the entire ride, and right as the sun starts setting you pull up on the beach for a champagne toast, perfectly timed. From there it's a few more stops for shots at local bars, one of which turns into full-on karaoke. Just know food isn't included, so grab a bite before you hop on."
Off road
ABC Tours
Full-Day UTV Rental
"If you want more time than the half day gives you, the full day rental is the way to go, same great UTVs but a full eight hours to explore. Again, no guide comes along, so it's completely up to you where you end up, which is honestly part of the fun if you like planning your own route. The fleet is the same well maintained, colorful group of UTVs, with 2, 4 and 5 seater options available depending on how many people you're bringing. Eight hours is plenty to reach places further from the beaten path, stop for lunch somewhere local, and still have time to relax at a beach before heading back. Snorkel gear and ice jugs are included, so a snorkel stop is easy to fit in. Having driven these myself, I can say they're genuinely good quality and comfortable even after hours behind the wheel. Just bring a rough route in mind since there's no guide to lean on."
Water
Delphi Watersports
Catamaran Dolphin Snorkeling Adventure Cruise
"The Dolphin catamaran is a beautiful boat, and we made sure to grab a spot on the trampoline up front, which is actually my tip too: get there early, because lying out on the water while cruising is the best seat on board. We made two snorkel stops, at the Antilla shipwreck and at Boca Catalina, and I was struck by how well organized the fish feeding was, it was honestly impressive to see all those colors swimming around you. There was also a water slide and a rope swing to jump into the sea from the boat, which had everyone laughing. The crew kept a great vibe going and there was plenty of room on board, with some shade too for anyone who wanted a break from the sun. With the open bar, lunch, and tropical fruit included, the whole three hour trip felt relaxed and complete."
Off road
Kini Kini Tours
Aruba UTV (2-seater)
"We did the Kini Kini UTV tour and sat side by side the whole way, which felt way more like actually driving a real car, but then on a dirt road on the rocky side of the island. There's a roof too, which makes a real difference once the sun's fully out. Each UTV seats a maximum of 2 guests. The driving itself is genuinely fun, you're completely in it the whole time, and our guide picked great routes, past Alto Vista Chapel, the Wariruri Bridge, Bushiribana Gold Mill and the Casibari rock formations, with a swim stop thrown in if time allows. Water and a helmet are included. Just know it's 18+ only, and skip the white clothes, you will get dusty."
Water
Delphi Watersports
Flyboard, Jetovator, Freedom Flyer & Jetpack
"I tried the flyboard with Delphi Watersports and I'll admit I was nervous going in, having never done it before. My first few tries in the water were tricky, but the instructor was so experienced and gave such clear tips that I was basically flying within about ten minutes, which genuinely surprised me. Once you get the hang of it you can go surprisingly high, enough to give you a little rush of vertigo, and eventually try tricks like diving down into the water. It only runs for 30 minutes but that's plenty of time to properly enjoy it, and it really does feel like you're floating free above the water. My tip: trust the instructor, they know exactly how to get you up and flying fast even as a total beginner. Minimum age is 10, and it's just one of four water toys Delphi offers alongside jetpack, freedom flyer, and jetovator."
Straight from my reviews
Things I wish I knew before
The small things that make a big difference on the day. Each tip comes from a tour I did myself.
Leave your sunglasses on the boat
On the tube ride and banana boat there is a very good chance you end up in the water. Your sunglasses will not survive it.
Closed shoes for anything off road
UTV, ATV and jeep tours take you over rocks and loose sand. Sandals are fine for the beach, not for the terrain around the Natural Pool.
From: UTV Thrill-Seekers – All Inclusive, Natural Pool, Swim ‘N’ Cliff Jump
Skip the white outfit
The north coast is dusty. On the ATV and UTV tours you will come back a shade of Aruba red, so wear something you don't mind ruining.
Be early for the best seat on the catamaran
The trampoline at the front is the best spot on board. Lying out on the water while you cruise is worth arriving ten minutes early for.
Eat before the party bus
The drinks are included, the food is not. Have dinner first so you can enjoy the champagne toast and the karaoke stop.
From: Sunset Bus Tour with Champagne Toast on the Beach & Barhopping
Renting a UTV? Plan a rough route
With a rental there is no guide to follow. Pick two or three stops before you leave and you will get so much more out of your day.
From: Half-Day UTV Rental
Out on tour
Photos from my tours
Snapshots from the days our team spent testing. Click a photo to see it larger.
The people behind the pink hat
Meet the rest of the team
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