Crown Princess B2B Caribbean Cruise - Aruba - 2011

This was our 4th visit to Aruba. We have taken snorkel trips on 3 of those visits in hopes of seeing the Wreck of the Antilla. The last time we did get to get off the boat, but the current was so strong it was hard to snorkel and see it. (more like flying over it and fighting the current to get back to the boat) This time we hoped to snorkel from shore to see it. We took local buses to get between the ship and the beaches. 

Arashi beach was our first stop and it is located near the California Lighthouse on the North Western tip of the island. There are 2 areas to snorkel.

As you stand facing the sea, the main reef is to your right, about 150 meters into the ocean. Look for a small white buoy floating in the water. This is the achor point for the boat trips, so it is a good pointer where to aim for when looking for the main reef. Be aware that the current can be very strong once you pass the reef.

The second area at Arashi is just off to your left from the parking area, right by the beach. The best place is in the area in front of the house next to the parking area.  (smaller version of first area)

Many boat snorkel tours stop here and since it's just off the beach it seems silly to take a boat. (same with the other beaches we visited)

Arashi Beach

Trunkfish

juvenile French Angelfish

White spotted filefish

juvenile French Angelfish

Yellowtail Damselfish

scrawled filefish

scrawled filefish

scrawled filefish

scrawled filefish

scrawled filefish

French angelfish

grunts

orange filefish

Christmas Tree worms & elliptical coral

blue tang

White spotted filefish

walking to the next beach

walking to Malmok Beach

Just off the shore of Malmok Beach is the famous Antilla wreckage, that brings scuba divers from all over the world. The Antilla is a German freighter that was sank during World War II. The ship is still in tact and is great for snorkeling as well as scuba. It's about a half mile or so out from shore, so not all that easy to get to. We had snorkeled for what seemed like forever and we discussed turning back. We decided to keep going and I'm so glad we did. Not much further and we were there and the seas were calm and no one else was out there. We spent a long time out there before snorkeling back to shore. No snorkel boats came while we were there, but one of those semi-submersible tourist subs came by and they asked if we were OK since there was no boat with us. 

at the Antilla wreck - about half mile from shore

Greg took a photo of me 

Bar Jacks

Christmas Tree worms

French Angelfish

Malmok beach

bus stop to go back to town

Troupial bird

we stopped for a cold drink

back at the port

Aruba https://photos.app.goo.gl/PjkMBseNEQ1RaLzH8

We now have 2 sea days before returning back to Fort Lauderdale where we will stay on and do another 7 day on the same ship. We had to disembark until we could clear immigration and then we could re-board the ship. Then, we have another sea day before Grand Cayman. 4 days of relaxing on the ship was very nice.