Looking to find an operator in Curaçao and Aruba
Here are my notes on Aruba and Curacao operators I complied for an upcoming cruise in June 2025. I haven't dove in either place yet so I don't have any personal recommendations.
ARUBA:
See the SB spreadsheet
Aruba Dive Shops (spreadsheet)
Aruba Bob
Savaneta 305
Oranjestad, Aruba
arubabob.com
+297 745 7459
www.arubabob.com
info@arubabob.com
20 min drive from cruise terminal.
Good SB marcanthonya rec
Great TripAdvisor recs
Great Google recs
9am or 1.30p 2-tank shore dive $160 (w/o taxes & fees)
9am 2-tank boat dive $240 (w/o taxes & fees). Get 15% discount for having own gear. Dive in north (1 wreck, 1 reef) or south (1 airplane, 1 reef)
Cancellation policy: Full refund if >24h cancellation (but also say that if boat doesn’t dock or something unexpected they’ll give refund).
Payment forms accepted: Cash or card (processing fee)
Minimum number of divers: none
Boat size: 4 divers (no shade). If more than 4 divers, then use larger boat with shade
Shade: see above
Marine head: no
Diver/Guide ratio: 4:1; have at least 2 guides
Groups based on ability: no
Everyone surface together? No
Pure Diving Aruba
www.puredivingaruba.com
dive@puredivingaruba.com
+297 5611 607
SB madamimadam recommends
SB hendrik jr recommends
Mostly good TripAdvisor reviews, few bad ones
$100 2-tank morning dive, 9a-12.30p
Can pick up at 8.30a from cruise terminal.
Nitrox available for $15/tank
No fixed schedule, depends on conditions, diver ability and requests. Close to Jane C and airplane wrecks, plus nice reefs. Don’t do Antilla or other areas near high rises since they’re too crowded.
Cancellation policy: (no charge if cruise doesn’t come in)
Payment forms accepted: US cash, credit card (5% fee)
Minimum number of divers: 3
Boat size:
Shade: Yes
Marine head: No
Max number of divers: 12
Diver/Guide ratio: 6:1
Groups based on ability: will make 1 or 2 groups (based on certification levels)
Everyone surface together?
Misc notes:
Aqua Windies
20 min from cruise terminal
Dr. Horacio E Oduber Blvd 4, Palm - Eagle Beach, AW
+297 583 5669
activities@aquawindies.com
www.aquawindies.com
Many good SB recommendations
SB madamimadam recommends
Great TripAdvisor reviews
Dive shop is 15 min drive from cruise terminal but boat is only 5-10 min walk from cruise terminal, so most cruise ship guests meet at boat
Dive every day but Sunday
2-tank dive, 8a-1p, $110. Meets at shop at 8a, gets to boat about 8.30a
Wednesday odd weeks: Antilla wreck (60’ depth - large 400’ long wreck) and Arashi reef
Cancellation policy: Full refund if >24h notice
Payment forms accepted: Cash and credit card (no fee)
Minimum number of divers 4
Maximum number of divers: 12
Boat size: 12 divers with 4 crew
Shade: Yes
Marine head: Yes
Diver/Guide ratio: 6:1, sometimes go 8:1 if no students on boat
Groups based on ability: Yes, or by family/friends
Everyone surface together? If diver runs low on air at 25 minutes, they send them up with buoy so everyone else stays down and gets 45 minutes
Misc notes: Book by mid-May, since June can be busy
SE Aruba Fly ‘N Dive
se-aruba.com
+297 588 1150
+297 594 0543
info@se-aruba.com
se-aruba.com
15 min from cruise port
Great rec from SB JoePhillly. Boat has head
Mostly good TripAdvisor recs, few say problems with getting picked up at cruise terminal
2-tank dive, 9a-1.30p, $95. Can request wreck dives. Website says has complementary pick up/drop off from cruise terminal.
Cancellation policy: 50% refund if cancel 2 days before, no refund if 1 day before or day of
Payment forms accepted: credit card (no fee if book via email and pay onsite, is fee if use website to book) or cash
Minimum number of divers: 2
Maximum: 12
Boat size:
Shade: Yes
Marine head: Yes
Diver/Guide ratio: 8:1
Groups based on ability: Yes if more than 8 divers on board (is low season, so probably not)
Everyone surface together? No
Misc notes: Dive on south coast (best side for diving). Suggest booking at least 2 weeks before hand
Aruba Watersports Center
20-30 min from cruise terminal
aruabwatersportscenter.com
Located between Hilton & Barcelo resorts, on same premises as The Breadbasket
+297 630 5369 (WhatsApp)
+297 586 6613
info@arubawatersportscenter.com
4.1.2024: No SB reviews, good Trip Advisor reviews
Cancellation policy: Cancelation >48 hours = 100% refund; 24-48 = 50% refund; <24 = no refund
Payment forms accepted: Cash, 6% surcharge for credit card
8.30a check in for 9a departure 2-tank dive, back by noon, $91
JADS Dive Center
Seroe Colorado 245E
Baby Beach, San Nicholas
+297 584 6070 (office)
+297 730 5237 (cell)
845.580.6226 (US)
info@jadsaruba.com
jadsaruba.com
SB RumJunkie had great experience, good wreck dives
SB madamimadam recommends
Per SB JoePhillly, boat doesn't have head, seemed pushy in emails, rubbed him the wrong way (didn't dive with them)
$99.64 for 2-tank morning boat dive. Optional private guide $159
Meets at 8.45a at Varadero Marina.
Will pick up at cruise terminal at 8.40a and drop off at cruise terminal for $20 fee (paid in cash to the diver). No nitrox
Cancellation policy: 50% deposit required at time of booking, refundable if >30d canceled, no refund <30d. Full amount of trip charged if canceled <96h
Payment forms accepted: Credit card (no fee) and cash
Minimum number of divers: 4
Boat size: 10 divers max with 2 guides
Shade: Limited
Marine head: No
Diver/Guide ratio: 4-8:1
Groups based on ability: Yes if they can
Everyone surface together? Those low on air surface with guide, then return to group still below. 60 min max per dive
Happy Divers Aruba
Noord 34, Noord, Aruba
info@happydiversaruba.com
happydiversaruba.com
297 733 6570
2-tank morning dives at 8a, 1-tank afternoon dive at 2p, all leaving from Hadicurari (15 minute drive from cruise terminal) - meets at 7.50a
$115 2-tank dive (with own gear)
20% deposit (non-refundable)
Great review from SB BigDaddyGlad, dove reef & wreck, emailed photos at no charge, picked up directly on pier. Local operation run by Jeffrey. Good google & Trip Advisor reviews
Mermaid Dive Center
Bubali #112 J, Noord, Aruba Dutch Caribbean
+297 587 4103 (office)
+297 593 3920 (cell/WhatsApp)
scubadivers-aruba.com
mermaidaruba@hotmail.com or
mermaid@setarnet.aw
SB 2airishuman good recommendation
Mostly good TripAdvisor reviews, some bad ones. Several comments saying surfaced with 1500psi
9am 2-tank morning dive $90, gets back about 1.30p
9am 3-tank morning & afternoon dive $125, gets back about about 2.30p
Need to add 7% sales tax and $7.95 surcharge per trip
Kantil Reef / Wreck / Bali Reef drift
Meets at Mermaid II dive boat (7 min walk from cruise pier, in front of Renaissance Hotel at the Seaport Marina) at 9am
Cancellation policy: 100% refund if 10d in advance, 50% if <10d, 0% if <96h
Payment forms accepted: Cash only on boat, cash or credit card at shop (no fee)
Minimum number of divers: 1
Boat size: 12 dives maximum
Shade: Yes
Marine head: Yes
Diver/Guide ratio: 6:1
Groups based on ability: “Pending diver experience”
Everyone surface together? “Pending the depth according to computer and/or dive table”
Misc notes: Includes fresh water, cookies, fruits
Book online:
https://fd7.formdesk.com/mermaidsportdivers/reservation/
Nautilus Dive Center
Hyatt Place, I-12
Wayaca 6B
Oranjestad, Aruba
+297 563 3172
www.scubadivingaruba.tours
lubrilago@gmail.com
Great Google reviews
8am morning arrival time
Palm Beach Divers
Berea Di Piscado #2
(Between the Holiday Inn and the Marriott Surf Club)
+297 7423636
info@palmbeachdiversaruba.com
www.palmbeachdiversaruba.com
SB marcanthonya says boat is nice and fast
SB Ukmc liked, but liked JADS better
Great TripAdvisor reviews
20 min drive from cruise pier
2-tank AM boat dive $105, 8.30a-noon (meet at 8.30a at shop, boat leaves at 9a)
Usually dive a wreck and reef
No nitrox available
Cancellation policy:
Payment forms accepted: Cash or credit card (no fee), due upon check in
Minimum number of divers: 1
Boat size: 36’ fast boat,
Shade: Yes
Marine head: Yes
Maximum number of divers: 12
Diver/Guide ratio: 6:1
Groups based on ability: No
Everyone surface together? Yes, dive is 45 min including safety stop
Misc notes: Bring your own water bottle
