Aruba Dive Report September 9-17th

[PePaw]

I recently returned from a fabulous week in Aruba. I stayed at the Playa Linda and have no complaints. 6th floor, fabulous views of the ocean from the back and the Palm Beach strip and town from the front.

Food....LOVED Smokey's ribs. Ate there for two dinners and a lunch. Also La Petite was nice. The Pelican's Nest on the water was wonderful for seafood and sunsets. They also make a mean Hurricane !

We spent the week diving with Clive and Dive Aruba.
If you want to dive with a friend where you'll feel more like family than customers after a couple days, then Dive Aruba is for you.

He runs a small six-pack boat. Is your Captain, DiveMaster, a one man dynamo. On drift dives he will leave you halfway and go and fetch the boat. I loved that he lets you dive your own air and computer. So make sure you're comfortable with your abilities or you're with a good buddy.

Dove all the better known sites, Antilla, Debbie II, Pilot Boat, Jane C and Sonesta Airplanes.

Aruba has FABULOUS reefs. Very healthy with lots of the smaller schooling fish. Didn't see any big animals. Parrot fish, sea turtle and a Grouper in the 4-5 ft. catagory were the largest. Of course lots of Lizard fish, eels, etc.
Of special interest was the "camo"crabs and the Giant Sea Star.

Vis was about 60ft. bottom temp at 82-84 !

Can't wait to get back.
And for what it's worth, i'll never dive with another dive op.

 

[smokey braden]

pepaw,
thank you for such a positive report.
we dove with clive and ate at some of your restaurants.
every island has something to enjoy.
i don't agree with some divers rating one island is "better" than another.
in the carribean it's all salad.
regards,

 

[tarheeldiver]

Pepaw
I think you were one of the ones I recommended Clive too isn't he great and I'm like you anyone who doesn't go to Aruba because people say the divings not good are definitely missing a great dive destination. Glad you had a great trip
greg

 

[PePaw]

Pepaw
I think you were one of the ones I recommended Clive too isn't he great and I'm like you anyone who doesn't go to Aruba because people say the divings not good are definitely missing a great dive destination. Glad you had a great trip
greg

Greg, Aruba is fantastic. The wife and I started a SERIOUS discussion on moving there when we retire.
Having just returned from Hawaii, I rated the diving above my Maui diving. I still have the vis and diving better in Cozumel.
But the health of the reefs and the sheer numbers of schooling fish were impressive. And of course I love wrecks !
Thanks for the heads up on Clive. I really enjoyed diving with him !

 

[Stichus III]

Good to hear that you had such a good experience PePaw! September is truly the best month for diving in Aruba.

 

[highlandfarmwv]

Having just returned from Bonaire, I have to say it was no better than Aruba, and Aruba had more variety. (And 10 points for ease of getting there!!)

 

[irie1029]

Just got back last night from aruba and agree.. was great dove 5 varied sites the reef sytem at these sites (off the beaten path) south part of island were awesome. I dove Alice in Wonderland on Curacao and 2 of the sites blew that away... Really breathtaking. We used Jads on Baby Beach and they cater to small groups (wife and I). We are eco minded as is Jads and we really did not care to see wrecks and rather see pristine reef systems.. Like I say I was blowen away.