Carry Your Cup and Join the Celebration: Jolly Pirates Rides High on 20 Years of Sailing Success

The billowing sails of its twin schooners decorating the seascape, offering excellent sailing excursions during memorable Aruba vacations. Over the years, it has held to the winning formula of majestic wooden ship, onboard merriment, and expert guidance for snorkeling adventures, while also seeking responsible, ‘Green’ ways to enhance community efforts. While visitors can still look forward to perfecting their cannonball off the rope swing, they can also now toast to another 20 years with recyclable cups, use reusable bags to carry off their Jolly Pirates souvenir booty and purchase fundraising “save the reefs” bracelets in support of Aruba’s Marine Park and marine protection goals.

Jolly Pirates launched its first schooner in 1997. The beautiful wooden schooner was soon complemented by a teak-decked twin, both skillfully captained by a long-time staff dedicated to entertaining growing fans of the island’s most popular sail and snorkel cruises. Jolly Pirates later sought to further serve visitors by adding a souvenir shop. Through the years, and with all its endeavors, Jolly Pirates also carried out some really great eco-friendly initiatives.

“We worked to ensure both our schooners were not only pleasing to the eye and comfortable for our guests, but also that they operated cleanly. In order to reduce our carbon footprint, we installed wind generators and solar panels to help power lights and stereo as well as ensure we used less diesel fuel,” comments co-owner Harald Buser who is originally from Holland, and maintains the eco-conscious attitudes with which he was raised.

Co-owner, and native New Englander, Carla Cavallaro also seeks to support a healthy environment. “Giving back to Aruba is easy when you consider all that the island has given me,” remarks Carla, who watched her own son Tyler grow up with a love of the sea.  Blessed to find home, happiness and business success in Aruba, she is clearly passionate about doing her part to protect the island’s treasured marine environment for the next generation.

Ships’ Captains Julio, Ron and Edwin have all been with Jolly Pirates since almost the very first sail. Their combined capable assistance and friendliness has become an attraction on its own, with guests looking forward to reconnect with their crew favorites each year.  Between first-time visitors and numerous return guests, Jolly Pirates continues to ride high, driven by a long history of positive word-of-mouth and a lengthy list of rave reviews that often relate personal tales of outstanding, onboard experiences.

The entire team is proud of their role as members of the Aruba community for the last 20 years and leading green initiatives. We reserve a special thank you to everyone who participates in our reduce and reuse efforts, and who makes a donation and wears the Jolly Pirates Awareness Bracelets. In turn, we maintain our promise to give back to the community – with 100% of those proceeds to the Aruba Marine Park Foundation.”

Dedication to both good fun as well as sustainable tourism efforts keeps Jolly Pirates on top as a favorite, must-do activity. Join the 20th year celebration by enjoying a Jolly Pirates snorkeling cruise, raising a toast in a recyclable cup, and making an indelible memory of a fantastic Aruba stay.