●○○○#3 of 39 things to do in Noord

Tres Trapi Steps

★★★★½4.8 out of 5 · 102 reviews

cultural

0.5h

outdoor

Photo: © madisonhA1427WD via TripAdvisor

About

Tres Trapi Steps is a rocky shore access on the northwest coast near Eagle Beach, and the #3 ranking among things to do in Noord makes sense once you see the turtles. The descent isn't the easiest — you're navigating rocks, not walking down a beach ramp — but that keeps it a little less overrun than other snorkel spots. Bring your own gear, get in the water, and you'll likely find sea turtles feeding in the shallows. The snorkeling here beats the sandy-bottom stretches at Eagle Beach because there's actual sea life to look at. The Travelers Choice wins back this up: people keep coming because it works and costs nothing. Early morning is the move — you'll see the turtles before the crowds, and the water's calmer. If you want a guide and equipment handed to you, ABC Tours or Around Aruba Tours will arrange that, but this is the DIY option. Half an hour in the water, no booking required, and you're done.

At a glance

Category: cultural
Duration: 0.5 hours
Price: $0
Minimum age: None
Intensity: ●●○○○
Setting: outdoor
Booking partner: direct
Product ID: —

How to decide

✓You want free, self-guided snorkeling to see sea turtles feeding without paying tour operator fees
✓You prefer a quick 30-minute rocky-shore adventure over multi-hour guided excursions
✓You're staying near Eagle Beach and want better snorkeling than sandy-bottom conditions offer

You want convenience — ABC Tours Aruba and Around Aruba Tours provide equipment, guides, and transportation for similar sea life encounters
You're traveling with young children who need structured activities rather than navigating rocky descents independently
You can't arrive by early morning, when crowds diminish the experience

Unlike ABC Tours Aruba's guided natural pool excursions with equipment included or De Palm Tours' family-friendly beach packages, Tres Trapi Steps offers a free DIY snorkeling spot where you supply your own gear and navigate rocky terrain to find feeding turtles. Travelers seeking independent exploration at no cost choose this over paid operators, while those wanting comfort and instruction book ABC Tours Aruba or Around Aruba Tours instead.

Photos

Visiting in June?

June offers warm weather and calm seas ideal for snorkeling and water activities. The island feels moderately busy with activity but not overwhelming crowds. Tours and restaurants are active, and many visitors report excellent experiences exploring both the beaches and rugged interior during this month.

Based on 150 traveler reports

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More activities

Choose a Snorkel or Sunset Cruises aboard the Jolly Pirates.

OutdoorFrom $90© Management via TripAdvisor

Jolly Pirates Cruises

Jolly Pirates runs a four-hour catamaran cruise out of Hadicurari, the fishing pier on the northwest coast near the high-rise hotels. The boat is ranked #7 among Oranjestad water sports for a reason: multiple snorkel stops, rope swings off the stern, and a crew that keeps the vibe relaxed without being forced. You'll hit at least two reef sites, and the water is shallow enough that kids can snorkel comfortably—this is the lowest-intensity water activity in the category. Morning departures include a full meal; afternoon trips are drinks only, so check the schedule when you book. At $90, it's positioned between De Palm Tours' beach club package with slides and banana boats and the pricier land-based jeep safaris. If you want open water over a beach club, and sailing over driving through Arikok, this is the call. Book direct through their site. Cash tip for the crew is standard.

water

Palm Pleasure Sailing and Snorkeling trips

OutdoorFrom $75© Management via TripAdvisor

De Palm Tours

De Palm Tours runs a private beach club on the west coast near Oranjestad, and it's built around water activities — think slides, banana boats, snorkeling gear, and a roped-off swimming area. The #5 ranking among Oranjestad transportation reflects that this isn't just a shuttle service; most visitors book the half-day beach package that includes cabanas, towels, and food service. The back-to-back Travelers Choice awards suggest consistency, and the 4.8 rating across 26,000+ reviews backs that up. The setup skews family-friendly. Kids get underwater activities in shallow zones, parents get palapas with shade and beverage service. It's beach entertainment, not wilderness — no natural pools or cave hikes like the UTV tours that head into Arikok. Duration runs around four hours, which is enough for the slides and a meal without burning the whole day. Note that the flamingo interactions cost extra, and cabana rentals are mandatory with the package. If you want inland exploration, this isn't it. If you want a contained beach day with activities included, it does the job.

water

Octopus Aruba. Genuine care & comfort and the highest quality service on Aruba. UNIQUE CATAMARAN EXPERIENCES. Sailing, Snorkeling, Sunset, Private Tours and Boat Rental

Octopus Sailing Charters

Octopus Sailing Charters runs three-hour trips off the Palm-Eagle Beach coast, and the 4.7 rating across thousands of reviews suggests they keep things consistent. The Travelers Choice award backs that up. It's a mid-intensity outing — you're on a catamaran, not in a kayak — so it works for most ages and fitness levels. The boat makes stops for snorkeling and usually swings by a shipwreck or two depending on conditions. Crew handles the sailing; you handle the sunscreen. The $75 price point sits in the middle of the water sports market here, which tracks for a half-day charter with gear included. Groups tend to be mixed, so expect other travelers. Book directly through their site. Morning departures are cooler and the water's usually calmer before noon, though afternoon light is better for photos if that matters to you.

water

Pairs well with

Jolly Pirates Cruises

Octopus Sailing Charters

Delphi Watersports

Delphi Watersports runs out of the Hyatt Regency beach on Palm Beach, and it's been doing it long enough to land at #7 among water sports operators in Noord—plus a 2025 Travelers Choice award. The 4.7 rating across 3,200 reviews suggests they get the logistics right, which matters when you're dealing with boats and gear and group timing. They offer two-hour trips that lean moderately active—think snorkeling, tubing, or a mix depending on what you book. It's a straightforward setup: walk down to the towel hut, check in, and you're on the water. Pricing sits around $75, which is middle-of-the-pack for Palm Beach excursions. Book direct through them if you can; it usually saves a step and sometimes a fee. They're used to handling families and mixed groups, so the intensity stays manageable even if you're not a strong swimmer.

Beaches nearby

Palm Beach

Palm Beach runs along the high-rise hotel strip on the northwest coast, and the location is the whole selling point. You're steps from restaurants, bars, and nightlife — Bugaloé Pier alone has rentals, food, and drinks without leaving the sand. The beach ranks #7 among Palm–Eagle Beach attractions and pulls a Travelers Choice Best of the Best nod, so the crowds show up. That means limited towel space and a lively atmosphere that skews resort-entertainment rather than quiet escape. The tradeoff: water quality takes a hit from watersport boat traffic. Reviewers flag visible fuel and oil in the shallows, and the ocean floor can look murky. If snorkeling or pristine swimming matters, Baby Beach or Eagle Beach will serve you better. Palm Beach makes sense if you want convenience — walk off the sand to dinner, catch July 4th fireworks from the high-rises, or grab a cocktail without moving your car. The wind stays calmer here than on other parts of the island, which helps for floating but doesn't fix the boat residue.

Noord

Arashi Beach

Arashi Beach sits at the northwestern tip of the island, just past the high-rise strip, and it's the #1 thing to do in Arashi for a reason: the sand itself. It's soft, white, and better than what you'll find at Palm Beach or Eagle Beach if you're staying in the Noord area and don't want to drive south. The 4.5 rating across 3,000-plus reviews holds up, and it's earned back-to-back Travelers Choice awards. The trade-off is infrastructure — there's none. No shade, no facilities, no food stands. It's a bring-your-own-everything setup. Swimming and snorkeling are fine but not standout; if you want sea turtles or a shipwreck, head to Baby Beach or Malmok instead. Arashi is about the sand and the convenience if you're already on the north end of the island. Pack water, bring an umbrella, and expect straightforward beach conditions without the fuss.

Source: TripAdvisor · view on TripAdvisor →

Photos by individual contributors as credited above.

Review summaries are AI-paraphrased from public traveler reviews.