Aruba
Aruba is a Dutch island in the Southern Caribbean, part of the so-called ABC islands, which include Bonaire and Curacao. It is about twenty miles long and six miles wide and approximately fifteen miles north of Venezuela, and around two and a half hours south of Miami by air. The island is a year round holiday destination and is outside of the hurricane belt. Aruba is famous for its many white sand beaches and luxury hotel resorts plus casinos. Interestingly, 20% of its interior is a national park showcasing its exotic birdlife, iguanas, flowers and cacti.
There are said to be over forty registered dive sites on the island, which are serviced by a number of diving operations. Most of the dive sites are along the west and south coasts of the island, some only minutes from the shore.
Dive sites include:
California (30-45') This hundred year old wreck is surrounded by large coral foundations and an abundance of tropical fish. This dive location is only for experienced divers, due to currents and sometimes choppy seas.
Arashi Airplanes (35-40') A sunken Lockheed Lodestar and twin engine Beechcraft sit in 50 and 20 feet of water, respectively. Brain coral, star coral and sea fans, along with parrotfish, angelfish and other coral fishes, can also be found in this area.
Antilla Wreck (60') This is probably Aruba's most famous dive. Locally referred to as the "ghost ship." This German freighter (brand new at the time) was scuttled in 1941 when the Germans invaded Holland during World War II. The largest wreck in the Caribbean (400' long), it is great for penetrations due to the large compartment of the vessel. Covered by giant tube sponges and coral formations, the wreck is surrounded by many kinds of tropical fish (mainly angelfish and yellowtail snapper). It is also a great place for night diving.
Malmok Reef & Debbie II (70') This reef is known for its lobsters and stingrays waiting to be photographed. Giant barrel sponges in purple, orange and green are found everywhere. In 1992, the Debbie II, a 120' fuel barge was sunk as an additional attraction. The wreck attracts schooling fish and barracudas.
Pedernalis (35') An excellent beginner's site offering a combination of large pieces of wreck spread out between coral formations. This oil tanker was torpedoed during the last World War by a German submarine. The U.S. military cut this wreck into three pieces leaving the centrepiece, damaged by the torpedo, behind. This area is home to lobsters, groupers and large numbers of angelfish.
Harbour Reef/Pilot Boat (40-100') A gradual slope brings the diver through magnificent formations of hard and soft coral to an old pilot boat. Green moray eels and French angelfish are often spotted at this site. On occasion, stingrays and spotted eagle rays can be seen close by.
Sonesta Airplanes (15'-60') This site is also available for snorkelling. Off the shores of Sonesta Island, sits a Convair 400 and a Beechcraft 18. The Beechcraft sits in 15-20 feet of water amidst soft coral. Divers can appreciate the Convair, which sits in 40-60 feet of water, as they explore the sloping reef.
Sponge Reef (15-80') . Soft coral ranging from the orange elephant ear sponges to purple and yellow tube sponges. Also to be found in this area, some interesting leaf and plate coral formations.
Barcadera Reef (20'-80') A sandy bottom with many brain corals and an abundance of sea fans of different species.
Kantil Reef (40-110') Drop off with boulders of brain and star coral. Also an abundance of formations of leaf and sheet corals, and home to diverse marine life.
Skalahein (15-120'). Magnificent coral formations, colourful sponges and deep-water gorgonians can be found along this slope. Excellent shallow dive. Coral fishes abound, and keen observers may even be able to spot seahorses at this site.
Jane Sea Freighter (30-90') At a depth of 90 feet of water the Jane Sea Freighter is sloped almost at an upright position. The Freighter is about 200 feet long and has some spectacular sea fans and brain coral around it. The site also attracts many schools of tropical fish and large barracudas.
Plonco Reef (20-100') Large green morays, parrotfish, damselfish and barracudas.
De Palm Slope (15-120') An excellent snorkelling site.. Magnificent coral formations sloping to great depths. Also a great site for divers who want to take advantage of an interesting drift dive. Accessible by shore (from De Palm island) or boat.
The Fingers (20-120') The reef comes out like a finger pointing down to the deep water. Beautiful coral formations and sea fans can be found here. Moray eels very often seen.
Mike's Reef (25-90'). Enormous clusters of gorgonians, brain and star coral dominate at Mike's Reef. Brilliant purple and orange sponges form a breathtaking backdrop for the procession of colourful fish and barracuda that inhabit the site. Also an excellent drift dive to the Fingers (close to De Palm island).
Mangel Halto Reef (110') A pronounced slope from 15' down to 110' gives divers the opportunity to admire a myriad of coral combinations. All types of marine life can be found in this area from deep water gorgonians to sea anemones and sponges, from octopus and to schools of yellowtail snappers.
Coral Spawning at Pos Chiquito Reef (20'-120'). One of the best night dives on the island is a seasonal event. Trips to the Pos Chiquito Reef, known locally as Bao Baranca, are scheduled each September and October in order to witness the natural regeneration of the coral reef. This site also happens to be a great year-round shore dive. This area is known for its huge star and brain coral formations found on a sloping plane.
Isla de Oro Reef (20-90') The shallow portion of the reef offers many different combinations of brain, staghorn, star and plate coral. Many sea fans and soft coral can also be enjoyed at this site. Parrotfish are frequently spotted in the area.
Commandeurs Reef (40-90') Sloping into the deep, formations of sheet and leaf coral rise to decorate this dive. Extensive marine life such as snapper, groupers, grunts and French and Queen angelfish can also be found here.
Lago Reef (120') This deep dive provides an impressive display of coral formations, deep water gorgonians, sponges, sea anemones and a variety of marine life.
Indian head (25-90') Brain and star coral formations are home for a vast assortment of tropical fish.
The Cross (20-60') Explore this site and discover a 10' memorial monument imbedded in the sandy sea floor. The cross sits adjacent to a diverse reef; beautiful coral formations and different soft corals are home to a diverse assortment of marine life. Excellent drift dive.
Baby Beach Reef (20-60'). Exit the Baby Beach swimming outlet and enjoy large formations of elkhorn coral with sheet coral make a perfect place for crabs, octopus and lobster. Great visibility and accessibility from shore.
Santana Reef to Baby Beach Reef. Pick up the current near the Santana Reef, and enjoy the large formations, different soft corals and sea fans as you move toward the Baby Beach swimming inlet. Entry to this shore dive is sometimes a little rough.
Cabez Reef (50') Experienced divers who take on the strong seas and rough currents at this site will be rewarded with views of a wide variety of marine life, including barracudas, amberjacks and rainbow runners.
Shark caves (40-70') Most unusual site. Nurse sharks snooze away in the rock overhang at the island's south-eastern point. Accessibility to caves depends on sea and current conditions. Dive recommended only for experienced divers.
Andicuri (20-110') Most challenging dive. Monster size boulders leave the diver in awe. Incredible formations of brain and star coral. Also, black coral, sea fans and soft coral cover the sea floor. Experienced divers only due to the rough seas traditionally dominating the island's windward coast.
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Aruba is known to be windy and some of the dive sites can mean a choppy boat ride. Scenically, not the prettiest in the Caribbean, but the beaches are superb. Sandy beaches and wind can mean reduced visibility. Be aware of days when cruise ships call at the island as this can mean crowded boats. .
Scuba Diving's Guide to Aruba
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