Off-Road Safari Adventures in Aruba

What can be more fun than an off road safari adventure in Aruba?  I don’t think very much! Taking an off road safari adventure is one of many activities to do when visiting Aruba. Weather you’re there on a one day cruise stop, or visiting the island for a week, a safari adventure is a great way to see what the island has to offer.

I was blessed to visit the beautiful Caribbean island of Aruba for a one day stop on a cruise with Princess Cruises.  Prior to boarding the ship, I reserved my spot with DePalm Tours for a five-hour off-road safari adventure.  Not only was the off road tour with DePalm Tours a lot of fun, it provided the opportunity to see some of the islands tourist spots. Let’s check them out!

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Our tour guide met us at our ship and we were taken to the office location of DePalm Tours. Here we were introduced to our guides, Matthew (with two t’s) and Oko.  We were given the rules of the road and briefed on what we would be seeing and what to expect while out on our Aruba adventure.  We then boarded our jeep and we were off!

Casibari Rock Formations

Our first stop on our Aruba off-road tour was the Casibari Rock Formation. We were given enough time to climb to the top of the Casibari Rock Formations, which was an easy 140 feet in elevation.  Once reaching the top, we were confronted with  the most breathtaking view of the entire island.

These unique rock formations offer an incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in the island’s natural beauty while enjoying a thrilling adventure.

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Once we had the opportunity to take in this beauty, we boarded the jeep and we continued on our island journey.  The bumps along the way to our next stop gave a small taste of what was in store for us.  It didn’t take us long to realize that we were in for some kind of great adventure.

Natural Bridge

Our second stop on our off-road adventure was even more breathtaking than the first.  We were given the opportunity to explore one of the several natural bridges in Aruba, known as the Baby Bridge.  The colour of the ocean and the rock formations were a sight to see.

In this area of the island, you couldn’t help but notice that people had stack rocks upon each other to form a pyramid. It is thought by tourists that by doing this that good luck would be bestowed upon them. This practice disturbs natures natural habitat and the local tourist board is attempting to stop.

At this stop there was also a spot where we could sample the local beer, Balashi (for a small fee), which was a bonus. 

After this stop, the real off-road adventure around Aruba began.  We continued on along the coast of the Caribbean Sea as we bounced around like rag dolls.  What a blast!  I recommend grabbing a seat at the rear of the jeep in order to experience as many bumps along the way as possible.

Alto Vista Chapel

Next up was at a small chapel known as the Alto Vista Chapel, meaning “Pilgrims Church”, which is located right on the ocean side.

The original chapel was built in the 1750’s by a Venezuelan missionary, and the church as it currently stands was built in 1952.

California Lighthouse

Next stop on our island adventure was the California lighthouse, which owes its name to the steamship “California,” which tragically sank off the coast of Aruba in 1891. In honor of the ship’s memory, the lighthouse was built and completed in 1914. Its primary purpose was to guide ships safely through the treacherous waters surrounding the island.

For those seeking a bit of adventure, you have the opportunity to climb to the summit of the California Lighthouse. As you ascend the spiral staircase, you’ll feel the thrill building within you. Once you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with an unparalleled view of the island and its surrounding waters. It’s an experience that will leave you in awe of Aruba’s natural splendor.

Arashi Beach

Last, but not least, we stopped at Arashi Beach. Arashi Beach is well known for its world-class swimming and snorkeling.  There was a great little bar at this beach where you could sit back and enjoy the island breeze and a cold one…..or maybe two.

Arashi Beach is renowned not only for its undeniable natural beauty but also for its variety of offerings that cater to the diverse interests of visitors. Whether you’re a sunbather, a swimmer, a snorkeler, or a beachcomber, Arashi Beach has something for everyone.

Arashi Beach is also a popular nesting site for sea birds, so keep your camera handy to capture the beauty of these magnificent creatures in flight.

An Off Road Adventure In Aruba: In Conclusion….

As all good things, our Aruban off road safari adventure came to an end. After an fun day of sightseeing and touring the island of Aruba, DePalm Tours returned us to our ship in time for our departure.

If you have the good fortune of visiting Aruba, I highly recommend an off road safari adventure with DePalm Tours, or one of the many other things to see and do that the beautiful island of Aruba offers.

“One Happy Island”

Have you visited the beautiful island of Aruba? I would love to hear what your favourite Aruba adventures are.

SAFE & HAPPY TRAVELS! 🙂