When we spotted the Atlantis Submarine excursion on our Virgin Voyages itinerary, we couldn’t resist the chance to explore Aruba from beneath the waves—no scuba gear required.
Getting There
The tour began conveniently close to the cruise ship dock, requiring just a short walk to a transport boat. From there, it was about a 20-minute ride out to the submarine, which stays stationed offshore. As one group wrapped up their dive and boarded the boat, we climbed down into the sub to begin ours.
What to Expect on Board
Let’s be clear—this is a real submarine, not a gimmick. It’s certified by the U.S. Coast Guard and part of what Atlantis Submarines calls the largest passenger submarine fleet in the world. The inside is fully air-conditioned, but the space is tight. If you’re claustrophobic, this may not be the adventure for you.
Once you’re seated, you’ll have a large porthole in front of you to take in the underwater scenery. As we descended to over 140 feet below the surface, a guide narrated the experience. While the commentary leaned a bit toward the family-friendly side (and we were on an adults-only cruise), it was still informative.
The Experience
My wife and I have been on our fair share of “look at the coral and fish” excursions over the years, and we both agreed—this was one of the best. From getting up close to a shipwreck to the sheer number and variety of fish we saw, it was well worth it.
The highlight for many onboard was cruising past the shipwreck, which was visible from our side of the sub. There was plenty of marine life to see, and we appreciated how smooth and comfortable the entire ride was.
At our deepest point, we reached 141 feet below the surface, which the submarine’s onboard display proudly showed. It’s a surreal feeling to be that deep underwater and still feel completely safe and dry.
Was It Worth It?
We paid $110 per person for the excursion, which lasted about two hours total, including around 45 minutes on the submarine itself. Like most cruise excursions booked through the ship, it costs a little more than booking directly. However, in our case, we hadn’t planned ahead, and being able to reserve at the last minute once onboard made it worthwhile.
The Bottom Line
This excursion was a memorable way to see a side of Aruba that most travelers never get to experience. It’s not an adrenaline rush, but it is a calm, fascinating journey through a vibrant underwater world. If you’re looking for something unique and don’t mind the confined space, we’d absolutely recommend it.
Would we do it again? For the right destination—definitely.
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