Aruba Surf & Paddle School
Aruba Surf & Paddle School
5
Surfing & WindsurfingGear RentalsStand Up Paddleboarding
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About
Aruba Surf & Paddle School. We are your only true experts when it comes to surfing & paddle boarding on the island. With more than 20 yrs of experience in the boarding sports & 25 yrs as an ambassador in Aruba's tourism, we offer nothing less than outstanding service to our customers. We are keen on details and safety. Check us out for a good time guaranteed. Lessons,rentals & tours.
Palm - Eagle Beach, Aruba
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
698 reviews
Excellent
686
Very good
10
Average
0
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Brandee
Wichita, KS13 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
Dennis is truly THE turtle whisperer! Not only did he make this very timid snorkeler (don’t like seeing under the water :-) feel relaxed he showed us the best time we had on our trip!
Turtles, eel snake things, a ray with a remora (?) and many tropical fish too. Then took the long way back to the hotel, showing us another beach and the lighthouse. If there were 100 stars that is the review I would give. Thanks Dennis for the BEST time!
Turtles, eel snake things, a ray with a remora (?) and many tropical fish too. Then took the long way back to the hotel, showing us another beach and the lighthouse. If there were 100 stars that is the review I would give. Thanks Dennis for the BEST time!
Written August 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kristi
Maine8 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
Where to even start! This was the best experience ever!! I wanted to swim with the sea turtles for my birthday, and even though it was on Easter, Dennis didn’t hesitate. I gave him a few alternative dates that worked, but he was game for Easter/my birthday! I should have known then how special the excursion would be.
He provided transportation and all of the best equipment as well as excellent communication. He was punctual and all of the things you expect from a reputable guide. But then we go to the beach and we were wowed from beginning to end. Dennis provided instruction, info on what to expect in and out of the water, what to do and what not to do when around the turtles, explained how he would communicate to us underwater, etc. He was very attentive. And we saw the sea turtles! Not only did we see them, but he even found and brought us to “the one” (that even has a name! 💚) that would give us the most impressive show, up close and personal. Unbelievable! He truly IS the turtle whisperer. His respect for the creature is second to none and what sold me. We didn’t want the best photo or video (even though we also received that!) but we wanted to witness the turtles in their environment and not intrude or disturb them, and that is exactly what we did with his guidance.
We also went snorkeling with tropical fish and saw so many, all of which he told us about, along with the corals.
It wasn’t too far into it that we seemed to go from being on a guided tour to hanging out with a buddy that was so invested with showing us his island and craft.
We had our videos sent to us before he dropped us back off at our hotel and even gave us a little tour of part of the island and tips on other things to see while we were there. I can’t say enough about his professionalism which is combined with down-to-earth nature. We saw his later on during our trip and he remembered our names again it was like running into an old friend.
Don’t hesitate to book your snorkeling tour with Dennis. I’m certain his paddle boarding and surfing trips are just as memorable, too.
He provided transportation and all of the best equipment as well as excellent communication. He was punctual and all of the things you expect from a reputable guide. But then we go to the beach and we were wowed from beginning to end. Dennis provided instruction, info on what to expect in and out of the water, what to do and what not to do when around the turtles, explained how he would communicate to us underwater, etc. He was very attentive. And we saw the sea turtles! Not only did we see them, but he even found and brought us to “the one” (that even has a name! 💚) that would give us the most impressive show, up close and personal. Unbelievable! He truly IS the turtle whisperer. His respect for the creature is second to none and what sold me. We didn’t want the best photo or video (even though we also received that!) but we wanted to witness the turtles in their environment and not intrude or disturb them, and that is exactly what we did with his guidance.
We also went snorkeling with tropical fish and saw so many, all of which he told us about, along with the corals.
It wasn’t too far into it that we seemed to go from being on a guided tour to hanging out with a buddy that was so invested with showing us his island and craft.
We had our videos sent to us before he dropped us back off at our hotel and even gave us a little tour of part of the island and tips on other things to see while we were there. I can’t say enough about his professionalism which is combined with down-to-earth nature. We saw his later on during our trip and he remembered our names again it was like running into an old friend.
Don’t hesitate to book your snorkeling tour with Dennis. I’m certain his paddle boarding and surfing trips are just as memorable, too.
Written April 15, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kimberly B
1 contribution
Sep 2024 • Friends
DENNIS is the best! Patient, kind, friendly and super informative for our first time snorkeling! He educated my friend and I and made sure we stayed safe while having a great time. The turtles and ocean life we encountered was fabulous! Dennis took some wonderful go pro videos to top of the experience and did not rush us. We were also lucky to have Dennis take us to sight see at the light house after as he offered to go above and beyond. We highly recommend booking with Dennis at the Aruba surf and paddle school. We will contact and book again during our next stay in Aruba!
Written September 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janet M
2 contributions
Jan 2025 • Couples
This was an amazing adventure. Denis not only guided us on how appropriate behavior when snorkeling with the turtles. he educated us on how they came to be and how to successfully swim with the turtles. A real bonus was he videoed the interaction. It was quite an experience and memory I will never forget .
Written January 21, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emily G
10 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
We had a fabulous snorkeling experience with Dennis! He is the best-don’t bother with the large group snorkeling tours when you can have a personalized experience. Dennis picked us up at our hotel, and brought us to Tres Trappi , where we were fitted with gear and given clear instructions. While we had both snorkled before, my husband is a bit reticent in the water. Dennis was patient and helped him feel very confident. Once in the water, Dennis guided us toward specific parts of the site so that we could maximize our experience. We were up close and personal with turtles, spotted some of the more rare angel fish and rainbow fish. We even saw an octopus and an eel. After over two hours in the water, Dennis drove us back to the hotel and helped us download the go pro videos he took during the excursion.
This was, by far, the best excursion of any kind that I’ve been on. I highly recommend Dennis for his professionalism, knowledge, and friendliness.
This was, by far, the best excursion of any kind that I’ve been on. I highly recommend Dennis for his professionalism, knowledge, and friendliness.
Written May 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
samantha r
1 contribution
Aug 2024 • Solo
My husband and I booked a private snorkeling session with Dennis and it was amazing! They call him the turtle whisperer and the name is not exaggerated, they love him and come right over to him! We were able to see several turtles that swam right up to our goggles and many fish. Dennis is so knowledgeable about marine life and the island and he even gave us a tour of the area! If you come to Aruba do not miss this experience of a lifetime with the best guide around!
Written August 31, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janet P
1 contribution
Mar 2025 • Family
Would definitely recommend this experience with Dennis. He was informative, helpful and made us feel comfortable. He is known as the turtle wisperer. Can see why. Had a wonderful time with him. As a bonus, he takes great pictures to share as well
Written March 5, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Companion444387
1 contribution
Apr 2024 • Couples
Absolutely DO NOT miss the opportunity to have Dennis share his knowledge and experience in seeing Aruba's incredible sea turtles and many species of fish! If you are lucky, you will meet "La bambina" and her friends. Dennis will educate you on how to move within their world so that you can interact with them on a very high level. Truly an unbelievable experience!
Written April 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark G
5 contributions
Mar 2025 • Couples
Once in a lifetime experience! Dennis really delivers and exceeds expectations. He is patient, you never fill rushed.
He is genuinely in love with nature and gets just as excited as we did about seeing stingrays and some of his “friends” among the turtles welcoming the newcomers to the turtle appreciation society.
He is genuinely in love with nature and gets just as excited as we did about seeing stingrays and some of his “friends” among the turtles welcoming the newcomers to the turtle appreciation society.
Written March 9, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Voyage37220127441
2 contributions
Dec 2024 • Couples
Dennis was an amazing snorkel guide. He's the definition of "if you love what you do, you'll never work a day." It felt like we were exploring the sea with someone who genuinely loves and protects the ocean and the animals in it, and we were being introduced to all his friends. Got to see many turtles, including the gentle giant :), and got amazing footage that he shared with us. Overall had a great experience
Written December 15, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hola,
Quisiera hacer un tour de 1 hora con mmi hija de 11 años. Cuanto cuesta? se puede self guided pero por un recorrido preestablecido? Donde puedo llamar o ubicarlos? Hay que reservar o puedo simplemente llegar alla
Written July 27, 2021
Can you take a paddleboard tour without any prior experience?
Written September 15, 2019
Yes! That's what we did...the lesson comes first then you start paddling on the tour and Dennis corrects your form as you go. Great experience!
Written September 20, 2019
Hace 15 años que no practico el windsurf y quiero ir a Aruba y arrendar un equipo top por unos 7 a 12 dias.
Ire a Aruba en Mayo proximo.
Soy Chileno y me gusta el slalom y velocidad.
Cuanto cuesta arrendar un equipo.
Saludos
Alberto Vidaurre
+569 98292071
Eso si, ya tengo 68 años pero me siento muy bien todavia
Written November 18, 2018
Can we surf in Aruba ? ( not paddle )
Written August 10, 2018
Hello. If you have an Instagram - the school has a page that you can ck out with photos and video of surfing and surfing lessons. Have a great trip!
Written August 11, 2018
What is the cost of paddle boarding? Coming in on a cruise ship in December.
Thanks,
Written October 29, 2017
Hello Cruiser3256
There are a few different options...the nicest one is the tour that you see in the anwers below.
Ad this one is 95$ per person and includes transportation...equipment...lesson...refreshments...photos.
Greetings
Dennis Martinez
Written November 1, 2017
Im not sure. Contact the Owner,Dennis Martinez directly.
Written August 1, 2017
Hi, Dennis - I'm an experienced intermediate level surfer coming to Aruba on march 19th for 4 days and would like to get set up with a surf board and get some advice on the best spots to surf. Can you help me out?
Thanks,
Marc Elliott (at AOL)
Written March 15, 2017
Hello Marc
Please to proceed to the website for more info on surfing tours.
Greetings
Dennis
Written March 17, 2017
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.