Tour Comparisons

Jolly Pirates vs Dolphin Catamaran in Aruba: Which Is Better for Families?

Two of the most popular family snorkel tours in Aruba for kids — both stopping at the Antilla shipwreck, both 3 hours, both with open bar. The Dolphin Catamaran is the kid-friendly winner thanks to its spinning water slide, rope swing, and light lunch. Jolly Pirates is the better pick for families with older kids who want the themed pirate-schooner experience and a third snorkel stop. Here is exactly how they compare, plus which is best for toddlers, mixed-age families, and teens. See also our pirate ship vs catamaran in Aruba breakdown for the wider boat-style picture.

Quick verdict

For most families, the Dolphin Catamaran wins — it has the spinning water slide kids love, a rope swing, a light lunch, free cancellation 24+ hours out, and 2,379 reviews at 4.7 stars. Book Jolly Pirates instead if you specifically want the themed pirate-schooner experience and a third snorkel stop, and you are okay with drinks-only (no food) and a final-sale ticket.

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Dolphin Catamaran Snorkel and Sail with Open Bar

Dolphin Catamaran

Dolphin Catamaran Snorkel and Sail with Open Bar

Snorkeling & Diving

$69· 3 hours· ★ 4.7(2,379 reviews)
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Aruba Jolly Pirate Afternoon Sail with Snorkeling

Jolly Pirates

Aruba Jolly Pirate Afternoon Sail with Snorkeling

Snorkeling & Diving

$78· 3 hours· ★ 4.6(488 reviews)
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Side-by-side comparison

CompareDolphin CatamaranJolly Pirates
Duration3 hours3 hours
Price from~$69 pp~$78 pp
Boat typeDolphin catamaran (up to 42 pax)85-ft pirate-themed teak schooner
Snorkel stops2 (Antilla + Boca Catalina)3 (Malmok + Boca Catalina + Antilla)
Rope swingYesYes
Spinning water slideYesNo
FoodLight lunch — wraps + tropical fruitNot included (drinks only)
DrinksOpen bar (cocktails, juices, sodas)Open bar
DepartureHyatt Regency beach (Delphi hut)MooMba Beach Pier
Onboard restroomsYesYes (2)
CancellationFree up to 24h before departureFinal sale (no refund)
Free cancel for bad weatherYesYes
Best age groupFamilies with kids 5+Families with kids 8+, groups, teens
Rating4.7 (2,379 reviews)4.6 (488 reviews)

What these two family snorkel cruises actually feel like

Dolphin Catamaran atmosphere — family-friendly with a water slide

Check-in is at the Delphi Watersports hut in front of the Hyatt Regency on Palm Beach — ask for Olga or John. The Dolphin Catamaran is wide, stable, has onboard restrooms, and seats up to 42 passengers, so it stays family-friendly even when full. After a smooth 20-minute sail you reach the Antilla shipwreck — the Caribbean's second-largest wreck, almost touching the surface in clear blue water — for a 45-minute snorkel stop. Next is the Boca Catalina reef, packed with colorful tropical fish, for another 40 minutes. Then the kids' favorite part: a spinning water slide and rope swing off the boat while the crew sets out wraps, tropical fruit, and pours unlimited cocktails, juices, and soft drinks. Caribbean music plays the whole way back along the Palm Beach coastline. The 4.7 rating from 2,379 reviews tells you everything about how reliable the experience is.

Jolly Pirates atmosphere — themed pirate snorkel with rope swing

Jolly Pirates departs from MooMba Beach Pier on an 85-foot teak schooner that looks every bit the part — masts, rigging, and a wide teak deck with a large canopy by the bar for shade. The 3-hour afternoon sail covers three snorkel sites instead of two: Malmok Reefs first, then Boca Catalina, then the Antilla shipwreck. The rope swing comes out at the third stop and tends to be the highlight for groups and teens. Open bar runs the entire sail, but unlike the Dolphin Catamaran, no food is included — you eat before or after. The whole vibe leans into pirate theme and group photos rather than pure family comfort, which is great if your kids are 8+ and into the costume-pirate energy, less ideal for toddlers or non-swimmers. For a wider look at how pirate schooners differ from catamarans, see our pirate ship vs catamaran in Aruba guide.

Still browsing? See our best Aruba snorkeling cruises for the wider snorkel-cruise comparison, best family-friendly Aruba activities, and the pirate ship vs catamaran in Aruba boat-style breakdown.

Best Family Snorkel Tour in Aruba by Family Type

Quick guide to which boat fits your specific family setup. All three picks below are for the same 3-hour Palm Beach afternoon snorkel window, so the difference comes down to onboard features and kid energy.

Winner: Dolphin Catamaran

Families with toddlers & young kids (3–10)

The Dolphin Catamaran wins easily here. The spinning water slide and rope swing keep younger kids engaged between snorkel stops, the wide twin-hull deck is stable, the low boarding platform makes water entry easy for non-swimmers, and the included light lunch (wraps + fruit) keeps kids fed through the 3-hour sail. Jolly Pirates' moderate-fitness pirate schooner is harder for toddlers and has no water slide.

Winner: Dolphin Catamaran

Mixed-age families (young kids + teens together)

Still the Dolphin Catamaran. The water slide entertains the younger kids while the rope swing and Antilla shipwreck snorkel cover the teens. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before sail also helps with bigger groups where someone always gets sick — Jolly Pirates is final sale. The 4.7-star rating from 2,379 reviews makes it the safer pick when you are juggling multiple ages.

Winner: Jolly Pirates

Families with teens & older kids (11+)

Jolly Pirates takes this one. The 85-foot teak pirate schooner, costume-pirate energy, three snorkel sites (Malmok, Boca Catalina, Antilla), and rope swing land better with teens than the gentler catamaran format. The drinks-only format is fine for this age — they will eat before or after. For more grown-up family group dynamics, our pirate ship vs catamaran in Aruba guide compares the wider boat styles.

Choose Dolphin Catamaran if…

  • You are sailing with kids — the spinning water slide is a winner
  • You want a rope swing AND a water slide on the same boat
  • A light lunch (wraps + tropical fruit) is important on a 3-hour sail
  • Free cancellation up to 24h before departure matters
  • You prefer Hyatt Regency beach check-in (central Palm Beach)
  • Smoother twin-hull catamaran sailing is better for younger kids

Choose Jolly Pirates if…

  • You specifically want the themed pirate-schooner experience
  • Hitting three snorkel sites (Malmok + Boca Catalina + Antilla) matters
  • You and the kids love the look of an 85-foot teak pirate boat
  • Drinks-only is fine — you will eat before or after the sail
  • You are locked in on dates and final-sale booking is acceptable
  • You prefer the MooMba Beach Pier departure point

More Aruba tour comparisons & travel guides

Pirate Ship vs Catamaran in ArubaBoat-style breakdown across all 14 catamarans and 4 pirate sailsRed Sail vs Jolly Pirates Aruba (operator hub)Full operator comparison cluster — vibe, pricing, every cruiseRed Sail Sunset Sail vs Jolly Pirate Sunset SailSame operators, sunset-sail head-to-head if you want the evening cruiseBest Budget Snorkel Cruises in ArubaSub-$70 snorkel cruises — Arusun, Banana Adventure, Dolphin Catamaran comparedBest Budget Sunset Cruises in ArubaSub-$60 sibling sunset cruises from the same family-friendly operatorsDe Palm Morning vs Afternoon vs Sunset Sail3-way comparison of De Palm Palm Pleasure cruises (different operator)Best Private Catamaran Charters in ArubaWhole-boat family charters — Delphi Adventure with water slide + rope swingSnorkeling in ArubaBest snorkel sites, Antilla shipwreck, shore-vs-boat optionsBest Family-Friendly Aruba ActivitiesTop Aruba tours and activities for families with kidsAruba Family TravelKid-friendly beaches, calm-water activities, and easy family planningAruba for First-Time VisitorsPlan your trip — flights, hotel areas, beaches, what to book first

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best family snorkel tour in Aruba — Jolly Pirates or Dolphin Catamaran?

For most families, the Dolphin Catamaran is the best family snorkel tour in Aruba — it has a spinning water slide AND rope swing, light lunch included, free cancellation 24h+, and 2,379 reviews at 4.7 stars. Jolly Pirates wins for families with teens (11+) who specifically want a themed pirate-schooner experience and a third snorkel stop (Malmok + Boca Catalina + Antilla). Both visit the Antilla shipwreck and have open bar.

Which Aruba snorkel cruise is better for families with young kids?

The Dolphin Catamaran by Delphi Watersports is the better family pick for younger kids. It has both a spinning water slide AND a rope swing, a light lunch on board (wraps + tropical fruit), onboard restrooms, and free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. Jolly Pirates is better for families with older kids (8+) who want the themed pirate-schooner experience and a third snorkel stop.

Do both cruises visit the Antilla shipwreck?

Yes. Both 3-hour afternoon snorkel cruises stop at the Antilla shipwreck — the Caribbean's second-largest wreck, a WWII German freighter that almost touches the surface. The Dolphin Catamaran spends about 45 minutes there; Jolly Pirates includes it as one of three snorkel sites (Malmok + Boca Catalina + Antilla).

Which cruise has the water slide?

Only the Dolphin Catamaran has a spinning water slide. Both boats have a rope swing, but the water slide is unique to Delphi Watersports — and it is usually the most-mentioned highlight in their 2,379 Viator reviews. If a water slide is on your kids' wishlist, book the Dolphin Catamaran.

Is food included on either cruise?

The Dolphin Catamaran includes a light lunch — wraps and tropical fruit — alongside the open bar. The Jolly Pirates afternoon snorkel is drinks-only with open bar; you eat before or after the sail. For families on a 3-hour afternoon cruise, the Dolphin Catamaran's included food is usually a strong tiebreaker.

Where does each cruise depart from?

The Dolphin Catamaran checks in at the Delphi Watersports hut in front of the Hyatt Regency on Palm Beach (ask for Olga or John). Jolly Pirates departs from MooMba Beach Pier, also on Palm Beach. Both are walkable from most Palm Beach hotels.

Can I cancel my booking if my kids get sick or plans change?

Only on the Dolphin Catamaran. Delphi Watersports offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for any reason. Jolly Pirates' afternoon snorkel is final sale — refunds are only given if the operator cancels for bad weather. For families booking early in a trip, this is often the deciding factor.

Which cruise has more reviews?

The Dolphin Catamaran has 2,379 Viator reviews at 4.7 stars — one of the most-reviewed snorkel cruises on the island. Jolly Pirates' afternoon snorkel sail has 488 reviews at 4.6 stars. Both are strong scores, but the Dolphin Catamaran's sample size makes its rating more reliable.

Which is the better budget pick?

The Dolphin Catamaran starts lower (~$69 pp) than Jolly Pirates (~$78 pp) AND includes a light lunch — so the value gap is even wider in practice. Jolly Pirates is only the better budget pick if you specifically value the third snorkel stop and the themed pirate experience over food and price.

Are the boats safe for non-swimmers?

Both boats provide snorkel equipment and the crew supervises swim stops. The Dolphin Catamaran is slightly easier for non-swimmers and kids — twin-hull catamaran stability, a wide boarding platform, and crew help with floats/noodles on request. Jolly Pirates is a moderate-fitness sail on a teak schooner; their listing notes it is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health or spinal issues.

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