we were thinking of going over there. does anyone recommend it? we are staying at the Divi Village

DePalm is your only option unless you know people staying at the Ren. You have to be with guests of the hotel to get day passes. People will tell you otherwise but I believe they changed their policy as we brought friends from a cruise over to the island for the day. They were very interested to know they were with us - guests of hotel. My friend just came back from his honeymoon and wasn't thrilled with DePalm. I realize however that he is the only one I have ever heard say anything negative about it.

Hi
I do not know anything about DePalm Island but the Renaissance Island is for owners only. However I think you can buy a pass for the Renaissance for 25.00 easch person. I suggest going to the hotel and inquiring about this.

Renaissance Island was beautiful; there were flamingoes and iguanas running around! The water was calm and clear. The one negative is that sometimes you have to wait a little while for the boat (we had to wait 30 minutes even though 3 boats were docked).

I can only respond to DePalm Island. My wife and I hesitated over the past several years about going to Depalm Island becuase of the what we consider high cost, $50.00 per person for the 1/2 day.

We finally broke down and did the 1/2 day trip this past Monday, August 15th. I have to say it was fantastic! There were very few people there when we arrived at 1 PM. The Blue Parrotfish are huge. One parrotfish was so large I thought could handle a saddle. There are a lot of fish close to shore. The water gets clearer just past the buoy with plenty to see.

The food is just OK, but included in the price. There is a small buffet along with burgers and hotdogs. We ate a hot dogs, which had more flavor than American hotdogs and were at a 'hot' serving temperature. The drinks (soft and alcholic), though small, were are also included. Drink as much as you wish. You should have some $1.00 bills for tips.

The advertised price is $50.00 per person which includes the bus from the resort to the DePalm dock. The price is $40.00 if you have your own transportation, such as a rental car.. In addition, there are many $5.00/per person coupons or $10.00 per couple with the ArubaPlus card (www.visitaruba.com). It ended up costing us $35.00 per person.

There are other activies on the island that cost additional which we did not participate.

I recommend that everyone try this at least once.

Enjoy,
Bob

$50/person for Renaissance Island if you are not a guest of the hotel (in 2004). Don't know if it includes food or beverages, but I don't think so. We decided to pass. I hear there's great snorkeling there so we'll probably go next year.

Went to DePalm Island in May and loved it! Fabulous snorkeling. Do buy a disposable underwater camera. They provide snorkeling equipment, however, we brought our own. You have several options. We chose all day + food & beverages at about $85/person. Additional $10 or so if they pick you up from your hotel. Other options were 1/2 day w/food & beverages and 1/2 day w/o food/bev. There may be others.

$50 pp includes lunch + 1 non-alcoholic bev for Ren Island. Again, you MUST be with a Guest of the hotel. It is not entirely open to the public. Snorkeling is just ok there but the island is very beautiful and relaxing.

I went to both several times. Both are definately worth it. Renaissance Island has flamingos. It's $50 pp but it includes a drink, lunch and watersports(non motorized). You don't have to be with a guest, we never were. We had a blast over there. It's really beautiful. We did the kayak tour to Depalm Island and that was great.