Direct partnerNoord
Private boat charter, your own captain
Three hours on the water with your own captain and room for up to ten guests. Snorkel, swim and enjoy the coast together.
$900the whole boat$180 now, $720 on the day
Tres Trapi, meaning 'Three Steps' in Papiamento, is a tiny cove accessed by - you guessed it - three steps carved into the rocky shoreline. What it lacks in sand, it more than makes up for in marine life. The snorkeling is outstanding, with healthy coral and abundant fish over the rocks. The small size keeps it uncrowded, and it's a favorite among locals and repeat visitors.
Best time
First thing in the morning, calmest water, clearest visibility, and you'll often have it to yourself.
Swim safety
Rocky entry down the three steps, then sandy bottom. Best for experienced snorkelers, not small kids.
Parking
Limited roadside parking; bring everything, there are no facilities.
Shade
No real shade, bring an umbrella or rashguard.
At a glance
Features
- Excellent snorkeling
- Three carved steps
- Rocky entry
- Small and intimate
- Local favorite
Best For
- Snorkeling
- Rock and reef swimming
- Experienced snorkelers
Facilities
- None - bring everything
- Limited roadside parking
Booked person to person
On Tres Trapi (Three Steps), we book this direct with the crew
A handshake deal with an operator we know personally; a small deposit out of their own price confirms your spot, and the balance is settled with the crew.
Direct partnerChapter 01 · Tours
Tours that actually fit Tres Trapi (Three Steps)
Hand-picked for this beach. Cancellation and confirmation shown per tour, not promised in bulk.
Best for beginnersMalmok Beach · 3 Hours
Snorkeling the Antilla Shipwreck
Snorkel a WWII shipwreck teeming with fish, beginner friendly and shallow.
From $79per person
Classic Aruba sailPalm Beach · 2.5 Hours
Catamaran Sail & Snorkel Cruise
A 2.5 hour coastal sail with snorkeling, snacks, and unlimited open bar.
From $63per person
Tour bookings via Viator (a TripAdvisor company). Browse them all on the activities page.
Turn this beach into a day
The easy version: morning swim at Tres Trapi (Three Steps), lunch at Eduardo's Beach Shack (about 3.5 km away), then Snorkeling the Antilla Shipwreck.
Nearby food
From the airport
Taxi from Queen Beatrix Airport to Tres Trapi (Three Steps): $49
Tres Trapi (Three Steps) sits beside the official tariff zone for Boca Catalina and the California Lighthouse (Boca Catalina - Lighthouse on the list), so ask the driver to confirm the fare before you get in. It is per taxi, for one to four passengers, one way, in US dollars. A flat $5 surcharge applies once per trip on Sundays, official holidays, between 11:00 PM and 7:00 AM, and from December 24 through January 1. Each extra passenger is $3, each extra bag $3.
Source: the Government of Aruba fare list (updated May 27, 2026, valid from May 20, 2026), checked October 22, 2026 at taxi.aw on October 22, 2026. Fares can change, and taxi.aw is always the current list.
Nearby
Also close to Tres Trapi (Three Steps)
Distances are straight-line miles between verified map pins, not driving time.
Where to stay
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The local team
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