Best Dives in Aruba

[Ontwreckdiver]

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.

Romeo at Native Divers isn't much of a computer guy and the internet there is very slow. I have never booked anything ahead of time with them, just booked my dives once I got there. If you want Romeo and Vanessa's cell numbers just pm me.

 

[bartzunga]

Hi,

I don't know if you've been to Aruba for you trip already, but currently the conditions are not favorable for the Cabez dive. Very high tides and strong current. This weekend I did a drift dive from Santana Reef to Baby Beach reef, about 3 miles in about 30 minutes.

I hope you get to experience Cabez Reef, here's a clip from youtube YouTube - Cabez Reef Entry

of the entry from shore on a good day, now image 10 to 20 foot waves crashing over that piece of rock.

 

[snowdog]

JADS is a top notch operation , they were having some computer issues but from what I understand, they have them worked out. My wife and I just booked five days of diving with them the first week of May 2010. I have learned to book the good operations early, or you will be disappointed.:depressed:

 

[welderbob]

give them a call when you get there. Romeo is a one man show. He only take a max of 8 people. Had a great time diving with him this past week.

 

[jackplum]

Hole in the Wall (just east of Mangel Halto) is a great dive and relatively unknown.

Very nice steep sloping wall from about 10m to 35m.

 

[Stichus III]

Cabez Reef is head and shoulders above any of the reefs on the South coast of the Island. Only Serito, a pinnacle which lies on the rough North side of the island and is only accesible by boat, rivals Cabez Reef. However, Cabez Reef is only for the advanced shore divers. The entry and exit are very difficult and both can be dangerous unless the seas are calm (just a few days a year). The entry can be seen on the clip provided by Bartzunga: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Sr9WVxkdx0

Yes, it is not for the faint of heart. However, the Reef is pristine and the strong currents bring in larger animals, like sharks, Eagle Rays, Devil Rays, Manta's and large Turtle's. And also there is the "Shark Cave", where sometimes up to 5 Nurse sharks go to rest. All in all it is a great dive.

Attempting this dive without an experienced dive guide is just looking for some serious trouble. As far as I know only Jads dives this site on a regular basis.

 

[Stichus III]

Hole in the Wall (just east of Mangel Halto) is a great dive and relatively unknown.

Here's a picture shot at "Hole in the Wall" a.k.a. "Rocky Beach":

Rocky Beach on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

[pedo]

Hi,

I don't know if you've been to Aruba for you trip already, but currently the conditions are not favorable for the Cabez dive. Very high tides and strong current. This weekend I did a drift dive from Santana Reef to Baby Beach reef, about 3 miles in about 30 minutes.

I hope you get to experience Cabez Reef, here's a clip from youtube YouTube - Cabez Reef Entry

of the entry from shore on a good day, now image 10 to 20 foot waves crashing over that piece of rock.

I've seen that vid before. More like sky diving than scuba diving

I think there might also be an alternate entry as well

 

[Stichus III]

I've seen that vid before. More like sky diving than scuba diving

I think there might also be an alternate entry as well

Believe it or not, that is by far the easiest entry and the only way to see all of the reef (as a shore dive).

Cabez Reef is not only a dive, but an adventure.

 

[Chadd]

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.

I only have 25 or so dives in Aruba but the night dive at the Pedernales is right up there with anything else I have seen there. In daylight, it's a nice little dive, but it really comes alive at night.

Other favorites:
Antilla, before it really started to collapse
The Fingers, especially down around 100' or so
Jane Sea
DePalm Slope, as close as you're going to get to a wall in Aruba