I will be going to Aruba in May and staying at the Sunset Beach Hotel off Malmok, because my main interest is snorkeling. I don't want to rent a car, but this is the last bus stop. How far is it north to the other snorkeling spots south of the lighthouse? Can you walk or swim in that direction and see more than you can see at Malmok?

Also I was wondering if the water clarity is affected by the movement of the tides? I found this to be true on Grand Cayman. Where can I get a tide table for Aruba beaches?

This will be my first trip and I would appreciate any snorkeling advise anyone has to share.

Try 1-800-to-Aruba for some help on your questions about tides etc.

Donna I have been going to aruba for about eight years now.We own at the phoenix and malmok is where I spend my extra time snorkling.Just look for the tour boats parked just off the shore off malmok.Ther is some better places to snorkle then malmok but this is the BEST on the north end of the island.I think the best is #1 DePalm island #2 baby beach #3 malmok.malmok will not disapoint you.GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

We are headed to Aruba for our 3rd trip at the end of May. We stay almost right next door to Sunset Beach Studios.
The next beach from Malmok North is Boca Catalina, which is about 3/4 mile from Malmok. We snorkel there quite a bit and the water is very calm there and clear. Arashi Beach is next to Boca Catalina,north of it and the water gets a little choppy. It is still very clear there.
I had very good luck in seeing an array of different sealife at Boca Catalina. There is a reef that extends pretty far out and it is clear.
When in May are you going? We will be there from May 28-Jun 10.

It would be a long but do-able hike from Malmok to Boca Catalina. There are also good snorkeling areas at the mouth of Spanish Lagoon and in the Baby Beach area (both of which definitely require driving).

Water clarity is somewhat effected by tides but not really too much. The difference between low and high tides on the western end of the island is less than three feet. Off shore storms and boating in the area have more of an effect than tides.

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When we were there last year (last week April and first week of May) visibility was somewhat affected. We snorkeled almost exclusively at Malmok.