De Palm Island
De Palm Island
4
About
De Palm Island offers an all-inclusive Caribbean experience. Here, you can enjoy unlimited food and free-flow drinks, visit the water park, take a salsa lesson, have a banana boat ride, and more. You can even upgrade your experience with a SNUBA adventure, which combines snorkeling and diving; or a Sea Trek, where you’ll walk among fishes in a diving helmet. To mingle with the resort's resident flamingos, opt for a private cabana or premium seating on the beach. For the adventurous, visit De Palm Island as part of a UTV off-road adventure. Alternatively, join a tour with return hotel transfers. – Tripadvisor
Duration: More than 3 hours
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  • Venture51817317842
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fun island day with activities drinks and food
    What a fun place. Food and alcoholic drinks included in the price. We parked across the island and took a quick 2 minute boat ride to the island. Water slides, flamingos, snorkeling/free diving, all ages fun. Thanks to Kichendell, Ishmael & Nigel, Elise From Steve, Adriana, Adrian, Filip, and Antonia
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 3 October 2023
  • Bakisye M
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    WE LOVE IT !!!!
    The views were amazing! Our scuba tour guide Jeremy P, was absolutely fantastic. My husband is a paraplegic and Jeremy was very attentive and patient. He made us feel 100% comfortable with taking the tour, even with our 8 year old daughter. If you are heading to De Palm Island, make sure your asked for the Scuba tour. Jeremy will not disappoint from the views, to the awesome photos he will take.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 11 October 2023
  • Stephanie A
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing day trip to create memories for lifetime
    Had the best day ever at De Palm Island! Paid one fee for entrance and cabana rental and didn’t have to worry about money the rest of the day. Everything was included: lunch, snacks, drinks (alcohol and non). Cabana rental was a great way to allow our 1.5 year old an area to nap in the shade. Also had a special experience doing a small snorkel tour with guides Winston and Jeremy P. Made me feel safe and got to see some very colorful fish. Banana boat was a blast! Splash pad was a hit with the little one. And slides provided a little thrill. Would highly recommend this experience to all!
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 13 October 2023
  • Sam K
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Palm island sea snorkeling
    Yea we went to the palm island and went to the sea snorkeling. Nigel, Jayron, Criss were very helpful for my first time sea snorkeling. It was a great experience and definitely would like to try again.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 15 October 2023
  • Lauren S
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great!!
    My husband and I went to De Palm island for a day when were in Aruba. We had an amazing time. Our waiter Miguel took such great care of us. Winsten took us snorkeling and showed us some amazing views! The manager Mary made sure we had a great experience, she was incredible! Would definitely go again!
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 17 October 2023
  • SavoEngland
    30 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Slightly disappointed
    It is a good experience and I can see why the cruise people love it. It’s a shame that you can’t access a bit more of the island and the booking of the private cabanas is only for advanced bookings . Nice change from the hotel but not that great value for money at $250 per couple
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 17 October 2023
  • Thomas E
    1 contribution
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    DePalm 2023
    The island was fun. We did the snuba and snorkel tour. Our guide Jeremy P was great. He went above and beyond to ensure we captured the experience to the fullest. 5 stars for him. I think having an additional fee to interact with the flamingos is uncalled for and should be mentioned ahead of time and could influence decisions on visiting the island.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 18 October 2023
  • Anna S
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Paradise
    Had a blast on the island, there are so many fun things to do to keep you occupied. My husband and I’s favorite activity was the banana boat rides, the crew Randy, and Nigel were very friendly and made the time very enjoyable. Make sure to take off all your jewelry before riding 😉
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 18 October 2023
  • Angela B
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    De Palm Island Banana Boat Ride
    This trip was amazing. It included food, water slides, snorkeling, and a banana boat ride. We loved every minute of it. Randy and Nigel were running the banana boat ride, and they did an amazing job. They made sure that my kiddo had a blast and that he wasn’t too scared. We even got to ride in the boat because this mama did not want to hang on for round 2. I definitely recommend these guys! They were amazing!
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 18 October 2023
  • Vanessa H
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    100% recommend the Snuba dive with Christopher
    Palm Island exceeded our expectations with its all-inclusive package. The stunning beaches, watersports and beachfront restaurant with delicious meals and drinks made our stay exceptional. The Snuba diving experience with the instructor Christopher was definitely our highlight we’ll never forget. The crystal clear waters, vibrant marine life and Christopher’s expertise made it a unique adventure
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 26 October 2023
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4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles3,844 reviews
Excellent
2,299
Very good
725
Average
399
Poor
207
Terrible
214

ericlaudia
Canton of Basel, Switzerland157 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020 • Family
We are cruising the Caribbean and are visiting Aruba for one day. Having seen some pics on the internet I assumed that de palm island Would have been a nice place to visit and spend genuine day on a Caribbean beach resort. But honestly all of our family has been disappointed by the level of service which is practically non-existent And the facilities which are worn down and very cheap. The island is packed with the lowest possible level of tourists, the loungers are old and worn down, the restaurant worse than a cantina in a factory. We really can’t wait to leave again and forget everything about this place.

Acceptable loungers cost 42$ Per Person on top of the regular price and cabanas are 210(!!!!!) on top. Beer is the only drinkable alcoholic beverage and food is only served from 12 to four o’clock, so much about all inclusive resort.

Oh, one positive..... toilets are clean.
Written 4 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Travel123
United States77 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020 • Family
Would be a great day if you are coming off a cruise ship or have children.

Positives:
They picked us up from our hotel and took us back. The island is pretty and there is a good amount of chairs to choose from. The beach area is a little small but pretty and is protects with some rocks so not as rough but can be very rocky so heads up. The slides were fast and fun. The banana boat is fun. Good area for kids. Food was decent and all inclusive. Snorkeling was beautiful but also very rough.

Negatives:
Drinks were beyond weak like no alcohol. My husband and I had multiple drinks within an hour and didn’t not even have a buzz switched to beer but it was filling and therefore we stopped. They advertise the flamingos but you are only able to be on the beach with the flamingos if you pay for the private cabana on that side of the island. Which in my opinion is not worth it for the private cabana. Otherwise you just have to look at the flamingos from behind a wall. I get it, they are animals and don’t need people coming up to them. However, I would have loved to have just been able to sit on the beach and see them like the people who paid extra.

Overall: it was a fine day. My husband and I enjoyed the day together. However I would not do this adventure again.
Written 15 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Maddy F
3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021
My family and I have been coming to Aruba since I was a toddler and I'm 22 now and each year we always go to de palm island. As the years pass I've seen De Palm change in so many ways, I remember when half of the island wasn't even developed and it was just beach. Its much more busy now with every thing they have going on but its still a good time. The flamingos are cool and all but there is so much more (you don't get to touch them only pictures). The snorkeling is usually what we go for, while there are many places on the island of Aruba to snorkel De Palm sits right on the reef so there are so many more fish and its amazing! (highly recommend paying the $10 for fish food and you'll see so much more) This year we really wanted to try the Sea Trek adventure where you put the helmets on and walk under water. I will just say that it is AMAZING! its relatively short but when your walking underwater it feels like your in slow motion so it lasts a while. The divers we had were great and we got the pictures and video they took while we were under. I understand that De Palm Island can be expensive but there are a few things worth going for and this is definitely one of them. Highly recommend!!
Written 20 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

NikShim
Island of Hawaii, HI179 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022
Thought this would be a great excursion for our two teenagers, but what a waste of money. We tried to make the most of it but bailed within 3 hours and couldn't wait to get back to our beautiful beach and pool.

The island is a 5 minute ferry ride that runs through out the day so you can leave at your leisure if you drive or take a taxi. It departs from some sort of industrial location so part of your view from the island is this industrial plant. The best thing was the snorkelling. Most of the reef surrounding the area is dead but there are some beautiful fish. A lot of the fish, hang out right by the stairs where you enter the water. There is one small point of entry where everyone collects their gear, goes down a few stairs to get in and out of the water. There is a current thus life jackets are required. There is a small and I mean small section of beach where you can enter the water for a quick dip. No snorkelling or room to swim and is a bit rocky.
Let me reiterate there is NO large stretch of sand on this island and water entry is very limited.

Lounge chairs are packed side by side together. The few flamingoes are in a separate area. Kids went on the water slides a few times. Son scratched up his back a bit on one of the slides. Decent area for little kids to play. Banana boat rides at least an hour wait so kids passed.

There are 3 places to eat but one restaurant was closed. The central place to eat serves up fries, bad burgers and chicken nuggets. They pour a stiff cocktail which one will need when you reflect how much you just paid to visit this so called island. Kids loved the virgin frozen drinks. The other restaurant is on the end of the island and had more options and fresh fruit. We should have tried the food there but didn't realize it was open until it was too late.

So many other activities and places to visit on the island-spend your money elsewhere and avoid this tourist trip
Written 19 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Julia Eunbi Lee
12 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2021
I absolutely love and recommend De Palm Island to couples and to families who need a break from the other gorgeous beaches throughout Aruba. I initially had low expectations. However, I cannot emphasize enough how everything from the breathtaking view of the bluest and clearest water to the friendly staff and to the fun activities was perfect beyond description.

I participated in the SeaTrek activity which was not included in the admissions and I strongly recommend this activity to anyone who visits the island. It is a once in a lifetime experience where you get to walk 20 feet down on the ocean floor with other visitors and experienced divers. In addition, the divers also take pictures and videos throughout the activity in which you can purchase for a fee of $39 dollars. Although $39 might sound pricey, I think it is definitely worth being able to take home the pictures and videos they have taken of you underwater. They give the pictures and videos in a USB drive. I had a little bit of trouble with the USB, but I was able to get in touch with the diver (Omar) and the manager of the island (Miriam). They were super helpful in making sure that I get the pictures and videos via email. They understood that these pictures and videos are important for memory keeping.

The flamingos were also a great highlight of this trip. They are a beautiful pink hue and quite friendly for picture-taking. The banana boat included in the admissions was wild, but very exciting! The colorful slides were entertaining. The snorkeling was also very fun and I was able to see various fish of different colors and sizes swimming quite close to the island itself. The all inclusive food and drink were delicious as well.

Overall, I only take great memories of this place and I cannot wait to revisit during my next trip to Aruba. Thank you De Palm Island for a fantastic time!
Written 1 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

khmafa
Boston, MA6 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022 • Family
From start to end it was not enjoyable. Start: if there were an Olympic event for accelerating as quickly as possible and slamming the breaks as hard as possible our driver would have taken the gold. Multiple guests on the bus were commenting on how motion sick they felt.

On the island the food was disgusting. I mean horrible. We visited in 2019 and the food was significantly better.

Banana boat was horrific with a group of drunk islanders rocking and trying to flip the float with children on it. We were thrown off multiple times it wasn’t fun or funny. When we got back to the dock and people from the float were clearly not happy with how dangerous the ride became the employee in the dock said “wait in line again and get on a float that doesn’t have islanders on it”. Ummm ok? And how would I know who is an islander and who isn’t? Do I ask everyone during my 30 minute wait for the ride? I am not one to be nervous or scared but the ride was not safe for anyone on it and for the boat to keep going and the driver and spotter to laugh as the float was being tipped over by locals was not ok.

New water slides were fun and enjoyable.

Kids water park was clean and enjoyable.

Hair braiding was great. The woman who braid at this hut are pleasant and hard working.

Leaving, so if our driver on the way there was going to win the gold for making everyone puke with his driver our driver on the way back was going to win the gold silver and bronze. Again multiple people commenting on how motion sick they were, staying they were going to puke. I mean it was so bad I swore I was on mtv “punked”.

We will never go back to De Palm island. Not worth the money. Also I came back with a serious contact high …… from people blowing blunt smoke in my face while openly smoking weed all over the island. I mean smoke it if you got it but maybe not on a family island? These smokers could have possibly waited until they got home and blew their blunt smoke in a willing participants face ?
Written 8 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ronald H
10 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022 • Couples
Alex and the Captain of the catamaran were amazing.
The Afternoon Delight cruise was so much more then we expect extend. The Crew, especially Alex the Bartender and the master of keeping everyone happy! The man never stops moving. In fact everyone on the catamaran was amazing. Very attentive and never wanting for anything. They made me wife feel so comfortable after the Tuesdays cruise ( 10/23)we rebooked for the same cruise on Thursday (10/25), and then stayed for the sun set cruise!!!
Whatever you pay these people, it isn’t enough!
We shall be back!
Written 30 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Chelsea Paige
North Newbald, UK59 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020 • Couples
We visited De Palm on a cruise ship excursion and so glad we did! From the moment we arrived the staff were super friendly, nothing is too much bother for them. We love the concept of an all inclusive island, it just alleviates so many stresses and is so much fun! Sunbeds, snorkeling, flamingos, banana boat, water slides, beach volleyball etc, so much to do and then can pay a little extra for other activities such as helmet dive etc! (initially we were booked on to this but I have problems equalising my ears and this was something you had to disclose on the waiver - they were happy to refund though!).
We read some negative reviews regarding the food been basic but in all honesty my husband is the world's biggest critic and even he enjoyed it! There is more than just chicken nuggets etc, there is pasta, salads and fish and I must add the grouper fish was absolutely amazing!
All drinks also included, some were slushy too very refreshing in hot climate but my favourite was the grape soda!
Definitely worth a visit, we will certainly be back, thank you for a super pleasant day!
Written 26 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Chelsea, Thank you so much for the great review! We are super happy that you had a great time on the island and enjoyed it. We can't wait to have you back with us on your next trip! Warm Regards
Written 5 June 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

JR123connecticut
Connecticut34 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023 • Family
Terrible experience. We booked this to break up the week on the island for the kids, thinking they might get tired of the beach. Unfortunately, we were unaware of the cruise ship schedule. The morning of our trip, we watched 3 cruise ships sail past our resort, so I knew it would be crowded on the island. We drove our own car and keep in mind Palm Island is NOT on a scenic side of the Aruba, it is very industrial and ugly. We were in the first couple groups to arrive, we got our chairs and kids were able to go directly to waterslides. Within 45 minutes the island was packed and the beach area was ridiculous. We were literally inches from the person next to us and more and more people kept showing up. The small bay of water was like an overcrowded pool, dozens of people just standing there, when I went in I realized why, it is completely rocky and you really should wear water shoes to stop from smashing your feet. The snack bar and buffet were as expected, not great, but not terrible. Kids liked being able to go get fries and chicken tenders. We ate the buffet. You could get a number of different island drinks and beer, all in small plastic cups, but as much as you wanted. Was very surprised to see that they were charging $3 for cotton candy and popcorn, with the cost that should have been included. One hour into the day, the large waterslide closed so the attendant could go on break, it was closed for an hour, this was absolutely ridiculous. We had several of our extremely close neighbors ask if this was what Aruba was like, we said absolutely NOT. Go to the other side of the island and the beaches and water are beautiful, this island is not a representation of Aruba. The excursion was supposed to be from 11-5:00 I think, at 1:30 we took the boat back to mainland and thank god we had our own car, we went back to our resort and our beach. I would NEVER spend this kind of money to go here again and if you are cruising I suggest just going up to Eagle or Palm beach and seeing what Aruba really has to offer.
Written 5 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ARayNash
Franklin, TN1 contribution
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Family
We enjoyed our day and thought it was definitely worth doing but the food is terrible. The staff is amazing, the grounds are clean and it was the perfect day for our teens. The only complaint we had was the food and the additional activities like massages and the under water submarine. These required an appointment and no one told us that upon arrival so those got booked up by the time we realized that was necessary. I would go on a weekday not a weekend because the locals do go here. The lines were not bad. We paid for the premium seating to be with the flamingos all day which was worth it but still expensive. Not sure I would go back again because of the food but it was fun to do for our first time in Aruba.
Written 19 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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