1st Time to ABC's

[zenpash]

Going to the ABC's and staying in Aruba, we're already hooked up with a place so starting April 21 for 7 days we plan to dive there and B&C...Where's the best diving and best way to dive all 3 islands in such a short period of time. Is there time to do all 3? Is most shore diving? I understand you can take a fast ferry from island to island, anyone done it? .....Hotspots at night, good local stuff not touristy?? Please tell, we so deserve this trip....and this is my new sweetie, want to impress..zen

 

[reefdiva]

Zenpash, the only way to get between Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao is by air. If you have seven days planned on Aruba you will probably be doing all of your diving there as you would need surface intervals for each of the flights you would need to take to get from island to island. The ferry between Curacao and Bonaire was very short lived as it is a rough crossing.

 

[diversteve]

I understand you can take a fast ferry from island to island, anyone done it?

There isn't and never was a "fast" ferry - maybe you've got your initials mixed up. The fast ferries are in the BVI's...

IMO you've picked the worst of the three for diving and the most touristy. Might reconsider and go to Curacao, it has shorediving, nightlife, quiet areas(West End) and resort/casino areas mixed together. It's an easy flight from Miami. Bonaire would be an even better option for diving, but it's pretty quiet there.

 

[zenpash]

This is a freebie ,no choice of islands.but really was told the ferry runs but it is rough..Iam advanced and dive nitrox , partner beginner..are there lots of beach dives on Aruba or moslty boat dives? You dove with Dive Aruba and recommend.
Thanks, Marcie

 

[diversteve]

If there is any kind of ferry at all, it would be Aruba to Curacao since they're next to each other - it really should be the ACB islands...lol. But it appears not to be the case, google Curacao Ferry and you'll find a lot of links from around 2002 announcing the ferry followed by links from around 2005 showing it's demise. Also found this:

Many people ask but, unfortunately, there is NO ferry service of any kind between Bonaire and Aruba, Venezuela, or Curacao. Scheduled travel between these locations is limited to air travel.

http://www.infobonaire.com/gettinghere.html

If you're limited to Aruba, there's still some good diving there - about 30 named dive sites on the lee side of the island - as well as all the other stuff on your list.

If you do find an inter-island ferry option, please post details here as that would be a popular option.

 

[highlandfarmwv]

I recommend Dive Aruba company, too. I went to Bonaire for a week then Aruba for a week in December. I thought I would be disappointed in Aruba diving, but is some aspects it was better than Bonaire (I saw bigger and more varied life, did dives on wrecks and drift dives in Aruba.) the only thing worse was the water was a little stirred up, but still very good vis.

 

[master_diver_UJ]

How was the water temp in Aruba in December, and anticipated water temps end of March /April time frame? I'll be in Aruba the last week in March my wife, my dive buddy & his wife. All I'm bringing is my shorty, will that be enough neoprene?

Jack

 

[DeputyDan]

Going to the ABC's and staying in Aruba, we're already hooked up with a place so starting April 21 for 7 days we plan to dive there and B&C...Where's the best diving and best way to dive all 3 islands in such a short period of time. Is there time to do all 3? Is most shore diving? I understand you can take a fast ferry from island to island, anyone done it? .....Hotspots at night, good local stuff not touristy?? Please tell, we so deserve this trip....and this is my new sweetie, want to impress..zen

You need to start over on your whole thought process.

#1. As previously posted - no ferrys
#2. Seven days is short so any flying kills dive days
#3. Stick with Aruba and plan to vacation/dive there.
#4. Trying to island hop will put way more stress on you and "sweetie" than you could possible imagine.
#5. Chill - and enjoy the opportunities available.
#6. You've got your whole life ahead of you - You will be able to get back to the other islands.

 

[fergusonjlf]

We spent a week in Aruba and planned to do a mix of shore diving and boat diving. I used www.shorediving.com to find the best shore dives. We ended up doing only one and it was a waste of time and energy. The boat diving exceeded my expectations and the shore diving fell below my expectations.

I saw several people already mentioned Dive Aruba... That's who we used as well. It was a good variety of diving and it kept us interested all week. Lots of very cool wrecks and Clive does take people into the wrecks. The wrecks have been prepared for recreational divers, but I wouldn't want to go in without a guide who knows the wreck.

Master Diver UJ asked about the temperatures. Most of our dives in January were at 79 degrees. We wore full wetsuits (3mm). Oddly enough, we hit several thermoclines. I would have been freezing if not for my full wetsuit and beeny.

I've visited Bonaire a few years ago. The shore diving is awesome there... not sure why we did the boat dives - other than they were included in our package. Two VERY different places. I agree that it would be very difficult to do both in a week.

JoAn

 

[master_diver_UJ]

Hey JoAn:

I read your trip report on scubadiving.com; nice job - sounds like you and yours had a great time. Base on your water temperature info; I may have to change my neoprene strategy.
My group is staying at the Aruba Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino. I too have emails into dive aruba. Red Sail has a shop at the Marriott, but they get a lot of bad press on this board & elsewhere on the net.

Thanks again !

Jack