By the Caribbean Journal staff

While it’s just about 70 miles between the Dutch Caribbean islands of Aruba and Curaçao, there’s traditionally been only one way to get between the two islands: by air.

But after decades of talk, it’s looking increasingly likely that a new ferry service between Aruba and Curaçao will soon become a reality, according to the Aruba Tourism Authority.

Curacao.

It’s likely that the new Aruba-Curaçao ferry will be in operation next year, the ATA, said, with a carrying capacity of about 800 passengers along with 300 cars.

Aruba’s government has announced that a contract will be finalized with a ferry provider by the end of 2018, while the governments of both islands are in talks regarding border control issues.

San Nicolas in Aruba.

The ferry terminal in Aruba will be located in the up-and-coming town of San Nicolas (a place that is becoming Aruba’s new capital of cool), the ATA said.