Best Dives in Aruba

[Rye22]

Hey all... Heading down to Aruba in just under a month and I'm in the process of firming up my diving.

We're all Rescue Diver or above.

We're looking for the best dives for macro, "big" life (I realize that there isn't anything big there, but nurse and the rare hammerhead will count - see Cabez dive), turtles, etc.

I know already that I am going to hit the following places:

- Antilla
- Cabez (shark tunnel)
- Harbour Reef

But I'd like to know some of the other good dives and/or more advanced dives that people have enjoyed.

Thanks.

 

[OMFSDiver]

The best dive I have ever had in Aruba was a night dive on the Pedernalis wreck. It is a shallow wreck (25') that is broken up. The marine life at night was great. My picture on my profile is from the dive. You can also look at the pictures in my profile of the wrecks and reefs in Aruba. On the night dive there were two 2-3' turtles that were swimming with us and a 6' moray in the wreck. There is also a book Dive Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao that I would recomend. It's like $20 -$30.
have a great trip.

 

[Rye22]

Thanks for the tip, I know I'm going to want to unleash my SLR on that dive at night!

Any others?

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

the Jane Sea is a 250' concrete wreck in 90 ft.at the south end. The Debbie II, a 120' fuel barge isn't the biggest wreck but you have to push fish out of your way and there is usually a big moray eel out on the deck ( a second dive after the Antilla). We do a dive at the south end that starts at the old Sonesta Airplanes and goes along the reef to the DC 3 they sank a few years ago.

 

[Rye22]

OWD, thanks... We plan on doing all of those.

Anybody have any experience doing the Cabez (Shark Caves) dive, you probably would have done it with Jads?

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

I haven't done the Cabez. Let me know what you think and is it worth a dive?

thanks

 

[Rye22]

Will do

 

[Rye22]

Another quick question. For those of you who have booked with Jads, Native, or Dive Aruba, did you book before you went down or do it once you were there?

I have emailed a number of the places I'm interested in diving with and only Jad's has responded. Are the other guys not interested or is it better to get in touch with them once we're all down there?

Thanks.

 

[mike_s]

I had very slow response on email also... and very short limited replies. I think that they just don't care that much about answering the same questions over and over again... (but yet they don't bother to put extra info on their website in the form or a FAQ).

The Pedernalis is a very entry level dive. most of it is 15' or so. but I thought it was a great dive. Lots of sealife on it. great photo opportunities.


Going back, I'd do multiple dives on the Antilla.

 

[SDiverJim]

I am going to Aruba from February 14 - 21. I contacted Jads regarding the need to book my dates (2 days / 5 dives). They emailed a response to me the next day. I'm looking forward to the trip. First time in Aruba!