[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by Mimi G

My husband and I are going to the Occidental Grand April 21. Does anyone know how the snorkeling is there? Do they take you out on a boat? Can you snorkel from shore? Trying to decide if I should take my gear.

There is nothing to see in the waters off the Occidental. It is just a white sandy bottom. You may see some fish swimming by, but that is just a random thing.

If you have your own snorkelgear, for snorkeling, a short walk south towards the Phoenix Resort, there is a break that goes about 80 yards out into the water. http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=12.5663237&lon=-70.0513762&z=17&l=0&m=a&v=2 The water is very calm there. There is also a little rock island
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Here you should be able to find some fish, octopus, etc. There is a little Polis (Police) substation right there on the beach (point of reference- between the Westin and Phoenix). This is a perfect spot on Palm Beach if you just want to do some snorkeling on your own for free

Unfortunately the sand here is loaded with tiny coral pieces and rocks, but there is free shade
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No chaises though nor much else close by. See the bottom half of the page http://www.arubabound.com/photos/plmbch/pbch3.htm

IF you choose not to bring your own gear and need to rent snorkel gear, http://www.arubawatersportcenter.com/pricelist_WS.htm the Aruba Watersports Center is right there on Palm Beach. They are located at the northern end of the Radisson's beach.

As to snorkeling from a boat there are plenty of operators offering excursions, to name a few:
Tranquilo
Jolly Pirates
Octopus
Mi Dushi
Roberto's Watersports

Larger operators include:
Red Sail
De Palm
Pelican