Aruba Dive Op Suggestions

[boulderjohn]

John,
I really have no idea how they are a gold palm padi center. They really ruined antilla for me and 15 others. I was on a cruise ship diving in april...and I made the mistake of booking through them instead of going to the usual (Pelican).

It shows me more and more that the dive center really can make or break your trip. I too have heard bad things about red sail ops in the caymans. Do you know a way we can possibly complain to padi? I'd really like to.

It's easy to complain to PADI. You can write to them directly from the web site, call them, or write a letter.

I am not sure that they are doing anything that would change anything, though. There was nothing technically wrong with them when I used them--they were just a mass market dive op that had procedures that are aimed at that mass market and not the more advanced diver.

 

[CSD1129]

It's easy to complain to PADI. You can write to them directly from the web site, call them, or write a letter.

I am not sure that they are doing anything that would change anything, though. There was nothing technically wrong with them when I used them--they were just a mass market dive op that had procedures that are aimed at that mass market and not the more advanced diver.

Our group had a few problems with them. Wish Royal Caribbean will drop them...

 

[mike_s]

John,
I really have no idea how they (Red Sail) are a gold palm padi center. They really ruined antilla for me and 15 others.

It's just a marketing thing you can buy from Padi.

I think to become a Padi Gold Palm center, all they have to do is certify
X amount of people a year through padi and agree "not" to cerfity with
anyone but padi. Meaning that they become a Padi exclusive shop
instead of running/certifying by other (Naui, etc) certifications/standards.
That and I'm sure they have to pay padi more money as you do anytime else.

So.... If I had a small "two person" shop named "Jo-bob's Scuba" and paid
padi their fee and agreed to do "only the padi way", then any redneck could
become a Padi Gold Palm center or 5 star center.

 

[Morpheus]

I dove with SEaruba divers and they were great! only 5 people on the boat so we had alot of freedom.nice guys...nice boat...nice experience

 

[michaelp68]

I dove with Clive of Dive Aruba.

He was great. He only takes out small groups and your dives are only limited by your air or ndl limits.

His website is www.divearuba.com and if you look on ScubaBoard, you'll see that there are many posts recommending him.

Have fun.

Michael

 

[colemanrad]

Headed to Aruba in 2 weeks. Any dive op suggestions or information will be greatly appreciated. I prefer day time dives with smaller groups and of course great reefs and fish.
Thanks

I dove with Clive of Dive Aruba. He only has room for 7 divers beside himself on the boat. Bottom times are excellent with Clive. He allows extended bottom times. He also has a website and has the different dives posted for different dives. I enjoyed the Antilla and Sonesta airplane dives. He will pick you up at your hotel and then drop you off after you are done. I agree with some of the other responses, reef life in my opinion was not as good as some places in the Caribbean. However, I thought the diving was still quite good. Enjoy your trip.

Troy

 

[diveborg]

Antilla is a must...

It might have just been the day I was there, but I was totally underwhelmed by the Antilla.

 

[CSD1129]

It might have just been the day I was there, but I was totally underwhelmed by the Antilla.

it really depends on the conditions. I was there in april...and the viz wasn't so dandy...really took away from the dive. Last year I dove it...and I had a great dive...and I was taken aback by the wreck.

 

[rprigmore]

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions and comments. You guys helped this turn out to be a great trip. I dove with Clive of Dive Aruba 4 times total. No exaggeration on the long bottom time claims. He is great. The only limitations are your own and the air. It was my wife's first open water dive (except for training) and she was a little intimidated by his direct nature. My sister and I returned to Clive for two more dives a few days later and found him terrific again. I highly recommend him but perhaps for a diver with a touch more experience than my wife.
For that reason I hired Angela De Palm of Happy Dive for 2 dives one day. I asked if he could pay special attention to my wife in making her feel comfortable. Because the water was choppy and previously she didn’t make it under before she was too uncomfortable, we agreed on a shore dive. He also took into account my sister’s need for assistance since she has a bad hip. He was great, very easy going and more of a teacher though Clive had many helpful hints if you asked.
Angelo’s outfit is new and has all brand new equipment. He coops with other dive ops on many boat dives as well.
Clive has it all down to a science.
In short you can’t go wrong with either of these guys:
happydive@setarnet.aw and divearuba@setarnet.aw.


Thanks again, Rick

 

[ClassAction]

I dove with red sail about two years ago. I'm pretty sure I posted a report on SB somewhere. I thought they were pretty good, certainly not "awful." Try to search for red sail and see what you find.