• As part of the Netherlands Antilles, Aruba offers easy access to the other destinations in the island group including Curacao, Bonaire and St. Maarten. Because of its proximity to the South American Coast, Aruba is also within easy reach of Venezuela. However, long layovers and limited flights, and no ferry service, makes careful planning key to a successful day trip from Aruba.
  
  

Day Trips from Aruba to Curacao

• Dutch Antilles Express and Tiara Air both offer frequent flights between Aruba and Curacao making a day trip to Curacao easy. Several flights leave Aruba before 9 a.m. arriving in Curacao a half-hour later and return early afternoon and evening. Once in Curacao, you can explore the island on your own, or book a tour with a company like Curacao Actief. They offer island tours focusing on history and culture, jeep tours, hiking tours and snorkel tours.
  
  Curacao Actief
  Octagonplein
  Willemstad
  Curacao
  866-729-1052
  curacao-actief.com
  
  

Day Trips from Aruba to Bonaire

• Although flights to Bonaire are a bit more limited from Aruba, several flights are available daily with Dutch Antilles Express. Dutch Antilles Express' route goes through Curacao with one- to four-hour layovers--careful planning is needed to avoid spending most of your day at the airport. Flights leave Aruba as early as 8 a.m., arriving in Bonaire at 9:30 a.m. The return flights leave Bonaire as late as 5:15 p.m. arriving in Aruba at 7 p.m. Once on the ground in Bonaire, Bonaire Tours offers local guided tours or adventure activities like jeep tours, kayak tours and snorkel tours.
  
  Bonaire Tours & Vacations N.V.
  Harbour Village Market Square #7
  Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles
  599-717-8778
  bonairetours.com
  
  

Day Trips from Aruba to St. Maarten

• On selected days, the Dutch Antilles Express flight route will accommodate a day trip to St. Maarten. Flights leave Aruba at 8 a.m. and arrive in St. Maarten at 10:45 a.m. The return flight leaves St. Maarten at 3:30 p.m. and arrives in Aruba at 9:30 p.m. While on the island in St. Maarten, visitors can explore both the Dutch (St. Maarten) and the French (St. Martin) sides of the island with Bernard's Tours or take a horseback ride, snorkel tour, ride a pirate boat or a semi-submersible submarine for a view below the waves.
  
  LUDOT, Corp.
  Shore Adventures
  Bernard's Tours
  305-964-7600
  bernardstours.shoreadventures.net