Aruba with Young Kids

[jbman]

We are thinking of taking an Exchange into Aruba Surf Club in September, looks like WestJet has decently priced direct flights from Toronto, our kids will be 8 and 10 by then, would you think Aruba would be worth going with the kids? If yes, would anyone have any recommendations for kid-friendly activities while we're there?

 

[Pamplemousse]

We are thinking of taking an Exchange into Aruba Surf Club in September, looks like WestJet has decently priced direct flights from Toronto, our kids will be 8 and 10 by then, would you think Aruba would be worth going with the kids? If yes, would anyone have any recommendations for kid-friendly activities while we're there?

Surf club is one big kid-friendly activity!
They will love it- Lazy River, Beach, the staff has actives going all the time.
Many restaurants (many very casual) you can walk to up and down the beach.

 

[Fasttr]

ATV or Jeep tour.... https://abc-aruba.com/

Also, a snorkeling adventure is a lot of fun if they like that sort of stuff. Aruba Bob uses the underwater scooters... https://arubabob.com/

Windsurfing or Kitesurfing lessons https://www.windsurfingaruba.com/

The Zoo....sort of.... https://www.philipsanimalgarden.com

 

[gln60]

Aruba Surf Club is fabulous for kids....they will love the huge Lazy River....take them on the Jolly Pirate snorkel cruise that goes to stunningly beautiful clear water in Boca Catalina and the kids can swing off the boats rope swing....the boat also anchors over a ship wreck.....you can snorkel over the wreck thats 60 feet below the surface........there is complimentary drinks and BBQ.....its a great way to spend a few hours......kids will love it.

 

[curitiba_tapley]

The island is small enough (yet big enough) that you can visit lots of different beaches and get a sense for how the terrain really changes. There are some really neat, short hikes that your 8 and 10 year olds will be able handle to remote and scenic beaches.

 

[jbman]

Thanks for all your responses, you have convinced us that Aruba would be a wonderful family vacation.

Though my wife just found that they will be doing construction then: "Marriott's Aruba Surf Club will be undergoing an interior villa renovation in the Lighthouse Tower from Jul. 11, 2024, through Dec. 2, 2024. Please anticipate construction noise during daytime hours. Amenities are expected to remain open."

We're trying to decide whether we take our chances with construction going on or not.

 

[gln60]

You are doing an exchange so no worries about getting the Light House tower…the Light House tower has only Ocean Front and Oceanside Villas…an exchange will get you either Ocean View or Garden View in the Spy Glass or Compass tower furthest from the beach.

 

[Dean]

You are doing an exchange so no worries about getting the Light House tower…the Light House tower has only Ocean Front and Oceanside Villas…an exchange will get you either Ocean View or Garden View in the Spy Glass or Compass tower furthest from the beach.

One can always request. My experience is that SC routinely gives the view of the deposit for the exchange so it may depend on what the deposit was they matched to. Obviously the view is not guaranteed.

 

[Janann]

The kids might also like DePalm Island.

De Palm Island Aruba | De Palm Tours

De Palm Island is Aruba’s premiere attraction offering something for everyone! We have exciting body drop slides, elegant flamingos, kids waterpark, snorkel tours, underwater helmet walk, unlimited banana boat rides, beaches, and more!

depalm.com

Aruba is very kid-friendly, and you'll have a great trip.

 

[jbman]

Thanks again for everyone's responses, we went ahead and pulled the trigger on the exchange and booked our flights, can't wait to go!!!

As an aside, out of curiousity I looked up what it would cost if we booked through Expedia, nothing available that month, but in April I saw it would cost over $10,000 (Canadian dollars, about 7 grand USD), I see the threads about the value of these timeshares, but this seems like an absolute steal for the cost of our maintenance fees.

 

[DJensen]

For the adults (if you enjoy adult beverages) I would strongly suggest maximizing your duty free purchases going into Aruba. The cost of alcohol is very expensive on the island.

Also, pay attention to the reviews of getting to the Aruba airport with PLENTY of time (3 hours prior?) for security and customs. Canada travel may be different, but for US there is Aruba security, US Customs and US security.

 

[elked12]

For the adults (if you enjoy adult beverages) I would strongly suggest maximizing your duty free purchases going into Aruba. The cost of alcohol is very expensive on the island.

Also, pay attention to the reviews of getting to the Aruba airport with PLENTY of time (3 hours prior?) for security and customs. Canada travel may be different, but for US there is Aruba security, US Customs and US security.

I’d say the alcohol prices would be about similar to Canadian alcohol prices. Maybe a bit higher but not much.

 

[elked12]

I’d say the alcohol prices would be about similar to Canadian alcohol prices. Maybe a bit higher but not much.

At the grocery stores is what I meant.

 

[jmhpsu93]

For the adults (if you enjoy adult beverages) I would strongly suggest maximizing your duty free purchases going into Aruba. The cost of alcohol is very expensive on the island.

Also, pay attention to the reviews of getting to the Aruba airport with PLENTY of time (3 hours prior?) for security and customs. Canada travel may be different, but for US there is Aruba security, US Customs and US security.

I think you wait in like eight separate lines before getting to your gate...well over an hour for us and we weren't even checking luggage.

And how good of a gig would being a US CBP agent in Aruba be???

 

[gln60]

When we were Aruba last April there were 7 CBP stations manned by only 3 Agents…needless to say it took about 90 minutes…standing in a Conga line to get through..happy to say..We just received our Global Entry Card Friday….We are heading back to the Aruba Ocean Club late September.

 

[m61376]

So much to do with the kids- or do nothing but enjoy the beach and the pool. We've been taking our grandsons every year since the youngest was 3 months, except for 2020. They're 9 and 13 now. They travel all over with their Mom, but Aruba always holds a special place in their hearts and they talk about next year from the time we get home. There's the usual water sports/activities if they're on the adventurous side, but they'll likely be entertained just playing the water. Bring a Waboba or similar water ball, and you're set, along with tubes for the Lazy river. Learning to paddle board is great at 8 and 10, and there's kayaking excursions. You can snorkel from the shore at the beaches a little up North, so might want to bring snorkel gear. If interested, there's the Butterfly farm, ostrich farm, Donkey sanctuary- all a short distance away. Restaurants are very kid friendly. Enjoy!