Aruba

Scuba Diving Vacations in Aruba

HIGHLIGHTS

Dive primer

Water Temp: 78-80°
Visibility: 80-100'+
Wetsuit: skin to 3mm

Best time to travel

Year-round

Favorite dive sites

Wreck of the Antilla
The Pedernales
The Star Garren

Topside attractions

California Lighthouse
Palm Beach
Horseback Riding

Best for: Both casual and avid divers
Best season to visit: Year-round, as it's below the hurricane belt
Weather: Steady trade winds, sunny and dry winters in the 70s, 80s in the summer, with occasional afternoon or evening showers

Other Things to do

Board Sports
Offroading
Snorkeling
Spa & Wellness
Mind & Spirit

Aruba's clear waters are filled with reefs and shipwrecks that offer enough variety to keep divers busy from morning to night dive, with sites that range from snorkel-friendly shallows to critter-rich slopes and deep drops that edge into extended range territory. The island's signature wreck dives are for everyone, as these large and historic vessels lie in relatively shallow water close to a sheltering shore. Reefs are equally easy to reach, with many just a short boat ride away. Ashore, Aruba is one of the Caribbean's most cosmopolitan destinations, with upscale resorts, casinos, and a lively night life scene, but it also has a wilder side best explored by jeep or four-wheeler safaris.

About Diving in Aruba

Aruba’s southern and western coasts are sheltered from prevailing trade winds and swells. Dry conditions mean no runoff to mar coastal visibility; currents range from non-existent to mild, and water temperatures range from 78-82° F. Reefs begin close to shore and slope to depths of more than 130 feet. Sand flats off the western coast are home to a number of significant wrecks—all located in clear, shallow to mid-range depths. Daily boat trips access all sites, and several can be reached from shore, making Aruba a destination suitable for divers of all experience levels.

Diving in Aruba Tips

Many reefs begin shallow and run deep, so brush up on your multi-level diving skills and bring a computer. Those susceptible to motion sickness on the ocean will be pleased to know that west-coast sites are calm, and reefs along the central-southern coast tend to have calmer water and milder currents than those farther to the east. Water temperatures range from 78 to 82 degrees.

Best Places to Dive in Aruba

The Antilla, Pedernales and Star Garren are the three must-do wrecks, and all are within the capabilities of competent open-water divers. Lobsters and green morays are abundant at Plonco Reef and Skalahein features rich growths of soft corals and a slope that is ideal for extended multi-level profiles. A favorite shore dive begins at Mangel Halto Beach.

What to Pack for Diving in Aruba

A light skin suit or 3-mm wetsuit is usually sufficient throughout the year, but an extra vest or beanie might be in order for second dives or in the months of April to June, when seasonal currents may bring cooler waters. Some shore dives begin on rocks, so sturdy-soled booties are in order.

Frequently Asked & Question

Diving in Aruba

Aruba is home to a number of shipwrecks that are easy to explore, due to their moderate depths and benign water conditions. The sand-bottom plateau that lies off the island's western coast is the resting place of the Antilla, a 400-foot submarine supply ship from the WW II era. The ship went down in 1940 when the captain decided to scuttle his command rather that surrender to Dutch forces. The Antilla remains virtually intact, and after more than 70+ years on the seafloor, it’s covered in colorful corals and sponges and home to a range of marine life from eels to blue tangs and battalions of sergeant majors. It's worth several dives, just by itself. And, at a maximum of 60 feet, you can explore this wreck with ease. Not far away are the remains of the British-flagged tanker Pedernalis, which was torpedoed by a German submarine in 1942 while anchored just off the coast. Today, the wreck is scattered in several large pieces that serve as a haven for marine life. It's shallow depths make it ideal for novices and even snorkelers. A less-visited historic wreck is a wooden steamer California, which lies off the island's northwestern point. Though shallow, the wreck is best left to experienced diver due to waves and current. A number of purpose-sunk ships offer easier conditions. The literal star of the fleet is the 255-foot freighter Star Garren, which sits in 70 feet of calm water just off Palm Beach. Other favorites include the Jane Sea, a 250-foot cement freighter with gaping holes that attract rays and turtles, and the Debbie II, a 120-foot barge that was sunk in 1992, and since become heavily encrusted in bright corals. Also in the mix are a pair of sunken aircraft: a vintage DC-3 and a Corvair 400 that rests on a sloping reef surrounded by soft corals. Both offer penetration and provide unique photo opportunities. Wrecks aren't the only attraction, as Aruba's entire south coast is flanked by reefs that offer topographies ranging from gentle slopes to steep faces cut by crevices and overhangs. Gorgonians and other soft corals add splashes of color to reefs rich in collections of hard corals that include staghorn, elkhorn, brain, star and leaf formations. Coral growth at Sonesta Reef begins in just 15 feet of water, while at the other end of the spectrum, sites such as Skalahein Reef drop to 140-feet and feature groves of black corals and large deep-water gorgonians where keen-eyed divers may find seahorses hiding among the branches. Experienced divers can head to the island's eastern point and northern coast where the reward for more challenging conditions are massive boulder fields and giant sponges offshore of the collapsed Natural Bridge and the swirling schools of barracuda, amber jacks and rainbow runners that patrol Cabez Reef. The truly adventurous can arrange for a charter to Serito Pinnacle, which rises from open water several miles offshore. In all, there are more than 30 named sites visited by local operators, providing divers with a wide range of options from mild to slightly wild.

Passport and/or Visa Requirements

Entry Requirements: The U.S. Department of State requires that all travelers to and from the Caribbean have a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of return from the destination. U.S. and Canadian citizens do not need a visa. For more info visit the USDoS website. EXIT REQUIREMENTS: All persons leaving Aruba must pay a Government Departure Tax of approximately USD $37.50, which may be included in your ticket.

Immunizations

No immunizations are required for travelers from the U.S., Canada or Great Britian. Check with your doctor and the Centers for Disease Control on recommended vaccinations for travel at CDC Aruba.

+990-737 621 432

Overview