On our first trip to Aruba, boca catalina was a second choice for most tourists looking for a snorkeling spot. Most, back in the day would have chosen baby beach, whose abundant fish life and coral was largely destroyed by tour companies and overcrowding through years. This is happening now with boca as well, mostly with the same tour companies. About 10 ships at the time are dumping tourists into the water, who unknowingly are stepping on corals and getting too close to turtles. We witnessed couple of locals getting in a heated argument as a boat docked right at the beach, evading swimmers to drop off tourists who paid for a private tour. This is not a swimming beach, but you can surely find some sand areas. The beach itself is not that big and there are only a few palapas for a shade. One could get some shade near the trees but you will get a lizard or two keeping you close company while tanning. Overall, a nice beach, liked by many locals. No restrooms, no concessions, though Arashi beach has one, which is not too far away.

(Translated by Google) Good place to snorkel, lots of fish of all types and sizes. If you bring some bread, do not be afraid of how the fish approach you. (Original) Buen sitio para hacer snorkel, gran cantidad de peces de todos tipos y tamaños. Si llevas un poco de pan, no te asustes de como te abordan los peces.

Snorkeling is just wonderful here. There were some boat with tourists, but there was plenty of beautiful fish and coral to see. I didn't bring the go pro so no underwater photos. Public transportation to and from cost me only 2 to ten bucks total.

Very good spot for snorkeling. No washrooms.

A beautiful beach to be with family and practice snorkeling in addition to feeding some seagulls and fish in the area and bringing you a beautiful memory of the island

(Translated by Google) Incredibly beautiful snorkeling! Step into the water and snorkel to the right, where there are many pelicans. You do not have to go too deep, at most 50 meters from the coast, there is a beautiful reef! Many species of fish, turtles, here you really swim in an aquarium. (Original) Ontzettend mooi snorkelen! Stap het water in en snorkel richting rechts, daar waar veel pelikanen zitten. Je hoeft niet al te diep, hooguit 50 meter uit de kust, daar ligt een prachtig rif! Veel soorten vissen, schildpadden, hier zwem je echt in een aquarium.

(Translated by Google) Boca Catalina Beach is one of the best places on the island to snorkel !! (If you can go early it is advisable because many boats with contingents go to this beach as it is a must if you want to snorkel, the boats tend to drive away a large number of fish. Do not miss that experience! (Original) Boca Catalina Beach es uno de los mejores lugares de la isla para hacer snorkel!! (Si pueden ir temprano es recomendable debido a muchos barcos con contingentes van a esta playa ya que es un punto obligado si desean hacer snorkel, los barcos suelen alejar a una gran catidad de peces. No se pierdan esa experiencia!

Great beach. Our favorite for snorkeling on the island. So many reefs. Saw schools of fish of all kinds, starfish, a sea turtle and many other sea creatures.

Smaller beach with couple spaces for parking. Public access with no bar. Very good place for snorkeling.

Best place for snorkeling in Aruba. Very touristy. The coral reef is alive, I wish water sport companies who bring tourists here would inform people. It was very sad to see so many people standing, harming the little of the reef that’s left.

One of the most beautiful beaches in the world 🌎

A smaller more secluded beach. Best to get there earlier in the day as there aren't as many umbrellas available compared to the other bigger beaches. The snorkeling here was amazing! So many fish close to shore near the rocks. Lots of snorkeling ships stopping by here as well.

The area to the right of the beach, the day we were there, had hundreds, if not thousands of fish. It was incredible to swim among these medium sized fish. Went back a second time and wasn't but a fraction of the amount of fish, but still enjoyed the snorkeling and watching the pelicans dive for fish near us. Used the shade trees in the parking area to sit and watch the beach while we dried off afterwards.

My wife and I spent the afternoon at this smaller but perfect little beach. The snorkeling was amazing! There's only a few cabana umbrellas for shade so get there early or bring your own!

The water is crystal clear and there is great snorkeling. Not a great deal if beach but I guess the goal is to get in the water. Was right across the street from our air bnb so it was very convenient.

Good place to snorkel or hang out. Usually busy. No toilet. Palapas to use, first come. Beautiful water.

(Translated by Google) We love Boca Catalina. Few people, crystal clear water and a few hundred meters of swim many and varied fish to enjoy with snorkel (Original) Amamos Boca Catalina. Poca gente, agua cristalina y a pocos cientos de metros de nado muchos y variados peces para disfrutar con snorkel

(Translated by Google) Very nice beach, you have to enter the sea with slippers, there is a lot of stone. (Original) Muy linda playa, al mar hay que entrar con zapatillas, hay mucha piedra.

Got to the beach for 9 am to swim with the turtles. If you see dive boats you will be lucky to see any turtles. Small area to park but if you get a taxi from the high-rise hotels it will cost you $13 each way

It’s the best snokling spot on the island, just walk from the beach, no need to follow a tour, we saw lots of colourful fish, few starfish too. Small waves, but It’s very rocky. Suggest to go in the morning, boat tours show up from noon, they make big noise.

Nice spot for snorkeling. Quite small, so it can get crowded. Not well maintained, but accessible enough for a swim.

Amazing fish and sea turtles. Don’t come when storm bc jellyfish will be washed ashore and sting you. But when water is calm the turtles will eat the grass

Good snorkeling between here and Arashi. It's a good snorkeling swim between the two beaches and you'll see lots of fish (pending visibility). Easier sandy access to the water with plenty of parking along the side (before you get to the cove). A bunch of tours stop here so keep an eye out for boats, but use them as a signal of where schools are swarming. Unfortunately the tour guides seem to be fairly unethical, feeding and grabbing the fish, taking them out of the water for tourists, etc. Don't touch the sea life!

best place of aruba! free papalabas, clean beach, quiet, perfect for snorkeling

Snorkeling great place lots of fish and other marine fish. Get there early and enjoy

Amazing little beach no doubt the best Beach snorkeling on the island

Beautiful beach ⛱ I have to return in May-September for the turtles 🐢 Aruba is just a great place

Great place to spot fishhhhhh

My favorite beach!

It is a beautiful beach

Wonderful place for snorkeling and under water pictures!

We saw 6-8 turtles every time we were there. Starfish all over the ground in the shallow waters - June 2022.

Excellent to snorkel and it’s a very quiet beach to relax and enjoy!

The best place for families and kids. Nice and quiet. The kids loved it. Saw pelicans, fish and little turtle there. Highly recommend.

The best spot for snorkeling in Aruba! We’ve snorkeled at many locations in Aruba, but this is our favorite. The currents are always mild and we always see a large number and variety of fish there.

Love this kids friendly place for snorkeling

Beach was awesome and tuba diving was great. Lots of wonderful fish and turtles.

Perfect spot for snorkeling, for me the best snorkeling spot on the island. Lot of fish at the rocks near the beach, birds, lizards...., but almost no shade at the beach so one reason more to stay in the water

This is a fantastic place to sit back and enjoy the sunset or take a dip in our clear blue waters. There's plenty shade available here, but please pick up your trash before you leave and use reef friendly sunscreen.

Snorkelling good!

Best snorkeling in Aruba. Absolutely beautiful!

Very nice stretch of beach! Rocky in some areas, but sunset view is magnificent.

Beautiful beach with clear water, nice place for snorkeling 🤿

I enjoyed snorkeling and watching birds

(Translated by Google) The best beach in Aruba. Crystal clear water. For those who love snorkeling, there are starfish, fish and turtles .. (Original) La miglior spiaggia di Aruba. Acqua cristallina. Per chi ama fare snorkeling si trovano stelle marine, pesci e tartarughe..

Good beach

(Translated by Google) Beautiful both for being on the beach and for snorkeling: hundreds of fish are located a few meters from the shore. Fantastic and crystal clear water. But you should bring your own food, there are no bars nearby. (Original) Bellissimo sia per stare in spiaggia sia per lo snorkeling: centinaia di pesci si trovano a pochi metri dalla riva. Acqua fantastica e cristallina. Però bisognerebbe portarsi da mangiare, non ci sono i bar vicino.

Came here with Octopus Aruba + the morning brunch sail. Amazing for first timers! Calm water. I left safe because I had a life jacket wrapped around me (it's recommended to wear it around your chest in order to snorkel more comfortably) and the goggles had a good seal. I was able to breathe comfortably with the snorkel gear. I was worried because I can't swim well, but here it is only about 6-8 feet deep and lots to see! Cool fish. No turtles, though. I could have stayed in another hour! I now have excitement when I think of snorkeling, instead of hesitant optimism ;-)

(Translated by Google) The Paradise (Original) El paraiso

Awesome

Small beach - there are better beaches on the island for sure

(Translated by Google) Great for snorkeling. (Original) Genial para hacer snorkel.

What a beautiful beach!!great snorkeling here. Saw so many unique fish. Highly recommend going to this beach every morning. In the afternoon, the tides are too high and the waves are bigger. It makes the water murky so you cannot see the fish.

(Translated by Google) My wife's favorite beach in Aruba!, Beautiful, small and with the fish at your fingertips! (Original) La playa preferida de mi mujer en Aruba!,hermosa,chiquita y con los peces al alcance de la mano!

Bring snorkel gear, lots to see- then drift over to Arashi.

Good place for snorkelling!

Nice beach, great snorkeling, cristal waters, close to Arashi Beach and California Lighthouse, only 10 minutes north of High rise hotels.

(Translated by Google) Great tour. Well worth the visit. (Original) Ótimo passeio. Vale muito a visita.

(Translated by Google) Gorgeous (Original) Lindo

(Translated by Google) A small entrance to the sea with crystal clear waters and lots of fish around you when you are bathing is a beauty (Original) Una pequeña entrada al mar con aguas cristalina y cantidades de peses a tu alrededor cuando te está bañando es una belleza

Great snorkeling

(Translated by Google) Beautiful place. You have to go and enjoy the sun! (Original) Hermoso lugar. Hay que ir y disfrutar del sol !

Great small beach for snorkeling. Many boats stop here just for that.

special for swin

(Translated by Google) Beautiful place ....... my favorite beach in aruba (Original) Hernoso lugar ....... mi playa preferida de aruba

(Translated by Google) This is definitely a beautiful beach that you must visit on your trip to Aruba. Highly recommended for snorkeling and seeing a number of beautiful fish. Its crystal clear waters allow you to see a variety of fish that are found. It is very close to Arashi (you can walk between one and the other, it takes 10 or 15 minutes). (Original) Definitivamente esta es una playa hermosa que debes visitar en tu viaje a Aruba. Muy recomendada para hacer snorkel y ver una cantidad de peces hermosos. Sus aguas cristalinas permiten ver variedad de peces que se encuentran. Queda muy cerca de Arashi (puedes caminar entre una y otra, te demoras 10 o 15 minutos).