A B C islands A is for Aruba

Aruba has the most incredible clear Ocean with powder sandy beaches. Just looking at the Ocean you can see why it is well known.

It is one of the ABC islands with Bonaire and Curaçao, it has a 6 mile stretch that links Palm Beach with Eagle Beach just north of the capital Oranjestad on the western coast. Oranjesrad which is where the ship dock so you can not ask for more than that for a beach lover.

We took a glass bottom boat tour here as it is well known for its sea life such as; reef fish, sea turtles and crustaceans. If it’s rugged rocks and crashing surf you are after then head over to the north east coast.  We didn't see any Turtles on this occasion though.

We did see a lot of other wildlife though, and yearn to return to the this friendly island, to experience more of what it has to other.

On board the ship they give you a News letter and talks on the locations you are visiting, This helps you make a more informed decision on what to see and do, or if you can go off my yourself.  Although by the time you get the port information is normally to late to cancel any excursions if you decide to venture off yourself.

What surprised me was the amount of the Island that is protected.  The Arikok National Park, takes up about 20 per cent of the island, and is home to landmark formations of lava, limestone and quartz.
 
Other tours on offer include jeep safari tours as Aruba is a bit desert like, in comparison to some of the rich vegetation of the other Caribbean islands.

You also do not need to book any of the excursions if you do not wish. It has easy accessible to the beaches and to the local shops, there are some great site to see from a short distance from where the ship docks and it is also very pretty.








It also has its own Stone Henge (Although from what I can work out Aruba version is more impressive)-'Ayo' which we did not get to see, but wish we had. Is a rock formation with is cave drawings from the Arawak Indians who still populate the Island today.





I do like cruises as a taster for Islands, and Aruba is most definitely a location I will go back to.

Climate:

Aruba is warm all year, with an average temperature of 24-29°C.