Diving & Marine Life in Aruba

Visibility in Aruban waters is about 30 m in favourable conditions and snorkelling and scuba diving is very good, although not as spectacular as in the waters around Bonaire. A coral reef extends along the west side of the island from California reef in the north to Baby Beach reef in the south, with dives varying in depth from five to 45 m. There are lots of dive sites suitable for beginners where you can see morays, grouper, eagle rays, manta rays and sting rays, as well as lobsters, parrot fish, angel fish and others. The coral is in good condition and varied. The northwest of the island has fields of seagrass which attract leatherback turtles during the nesting season and are home to hawksbill, green and loggerhead turtles all year. The other side of the island is only for experienced divers as there are strong currents and it is often rough. Organized boat trips regularly visit two wrecks worth exploring, although they can get a bit crowded. One is a German freighter, the Antilla, which was scuttled just after the Second World War was declared and is found in 20 m of water off Malmok beach on the west coast. You can see quite a lot just snorkelling here as parts of the wreck stick up above the water. Snorkelling boat trips usually combine Malmok beach and the wreck. The other wreck is nearby in 10 m of water, the Pedernales, a flat-bottomed oil tanker which was hit in a submarine attack in May 1941, while ferrying crude oil from Venezuela to Aruba. Only the central part of the tanker remains, the US military took away the two end pieces, welded them together and made a new ship which was used in the Normandy invasion. The Aruba Watersports Association recently sunk a DC-3 aeroplane near the Pedernales, to be another wreck dive site only 10 m deep. Be very careful not to touch anything underwater; not all the dive masters bother to warn you of the dangers of fire coral and hydroids. An annual Aruba Perrier Reef Care Project takes place over a weekend in June or July when everyone gets together to preserve the underwater environment and clean up debris and pollution from the main dive sites and beaches. Local dive operators help out and local hotels provide refreshments.

Dive Centres: There are several scuba diving operations and prices start from about US$35 for a single tank dive. Snorkelling from a dive boat varies from US$10-22. Aruba Pro Dive is at about five resorts, T825520, F877722, but tries to keep groups small at an average of six divers. Red Sail Sports, L G Smith Blvd 83, PO Box 218, T861603, F866657, and at hotels, sailing, snorkelling, diving with PADI, SSI, IDEA, HSA certification courses, windsurfing, waterskiing, hobie cats etc, accommodation packages available, this is a large, reputable international operation and an expensive one. Others include Pelican (PADI, NAUI, SSI, T872302, F872315), Unique Sports of Aruba (PADI, T/F860096, uniq...@visitaruba.com ), SEAruba (T/F838759), who offer diving in the southeast and to Venezuela, Native Divers (IDD, PADI, T/F864763), Dax Divers (PDIC, T/F851270) and Dive Aruba (PADI, T827337, F821817). For further information on dive sites, dive operators and marine news contact the Aruba Tourism Authority.

Atlantis Submarines operate a two-hour trip, including the boat ride to the Atlantis VI, which descends to 30 m and explores the MI Dushi I and Morgenster shipwrecks or the Sonesta aeroplane wreck.

Also Check: Beaches & Watersports in Aruba, Tennis and Beach Tennis, Golf, Horse riding, Bowling, Flights, Sky Diving and other sports, Nightlife, Movie Theaters, Cinemas, Film show, Shopping in Aruba.

Here are some more Water Sports Activity and Service Provider

For: Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, watersports center, sailboating, swimming, swinging, Windsurfing, Parasailing, kayaking, deep sea fishing, PADI dive lessons, under water tour, Cruise ships and boating equipment rental..site here. Check them all out:

Ads

Diving & Marine Life in Aruba

Here are some more Water Sports Activity and Service Provider

More . . .

Aruba - Introduction

Aruba: How to get there

Aruba - Money / business guide

Aruba - Country profile & Map

What to see and do in Aruba

Aruba - Useful information

Beaches & Watersports in Aruba

Caribbean Countries