Aruba Diving?

[Joneill]

We did four dives while in Aruba. The first two were reef drift dives with S.E. Aruba Fly N Dive. I would highly recommend this outfitter. Absolutely no complaints. They picked us up at the hotel, and the experience was top-notch. The second two dives were wreck dives with Unique Sports. The first wreck dive was a soft penetration of the wreck, and the second wreck dive was no penetration. These dives were also great dives, but the dive boat, gear, and the experience in general didn't rise to the level of that provided by S.E. Aruba Fly N Dive. And I did find it disturbing that the dive master from Unique Sports violated the no-touch rule, and caught an octopus and encouraged the divers in the group to come over and touch it. For that reason I cannot recommend, and would not dive again with Unique Sports. On the other hand, I would highly recommend S.E. Aruba Fly N Dive, and if we go back to Aruba we'll dive with them again.

I've dived in Aruba the last 3 years with JADS. They are a good outfit and i've had great diving with them. My wife was asking me why I don't try S.E. Aruba Fly N Dive. I told her there was no reason to switch when I've had great experiences with JADS.

The "funny" thing this year was that the first day I was diving, one of Fly N Dive's boats sunk while their divers were in the water - they all ended up having to swim to a nearby barrier island where they were later retrieved. Sh_t happens, so not trying to cast blame on anyone - but, needless to say, my wife is not questioning my dive shop choice anymore .

The diving is pretty good there - we dove a few wrecks (Jane Sea, Morning Star, Mi Dushi and Antilla) and all were good. The Renaissance Airplanes are a great dive too. Plenty of life on the reefs - Morays, Parrot fish, groupers, puffers, clouds of chromis and wrasse, and a few octopus out in the open. On Arashi reef, we saw more than a dozen green turtles of various sizes.

All in all, the diving in Aruba is actually very good!

 

[CDRODA396]

We did four dives while in Aruba...I would highly recommend S.E. Aruba Fly N Dive, and if we go back to Aruba we'll dive with them again.

Steve S, thanks for the response, I will definitely keep your insights in mind as we look to make our decision. Dive with Clive also has some high comments and is getting some consideration.

Cheers!