Scotty
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What are the best dive companies to take when in Aruba? Be there June 26-July 5. What do you like and why? Thanks for your help.
Going to aruba in june and july/Best dive companies???
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We used Dive Aruba (www.divearuba.com) last fall and had a good experience. Very small, only three of us on the boat, took us wherever we wanted. Even returned as right to the cruise dock when we were finished. However, there are other recommendations on the board, just do a search for Aruba and you will find several recommendations.
Bill
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The two big operators are Red Sail Sports http://www.aruba-redsail.com/scubadiving.shtml and PELICAN
ADVENTURES http://www.pelican-aruba.com/. The two are more or less clones with bigger, well maintained boats with bathrooms, showers, etc. Dives are follow the Dive Master guided tours.
When we go back in April I think we will check out a smaller operator and skip the guided tours. There are some good reefs but I think that the best diving is the wrecks.
ADVENTURES http://www.pelican-aruba.com/. The two are more or less clones with bigger, well maintained boats with bathrooms, showers, etc. Dives are follow the Dive Master guided tours.
When we go back in April I think we will check out a smaller operator and skip the guided tours. There are some good reefs but I think that the best diving is the wrecks.
I am happy to share info about Aruba with you. I lived there for 4 months last year, so I know the island quite well. I have some info at www.aquatic1.com
Diving:
There is very little shore diving. There is some, but the entries are tough and there are long surface swims. If you are into this, let me know & I'll give you some directions.
The two largest Dive Operators "Red Sail Sports" and "Pelican Adventures" , have the most boats going out. Either one will pick you up at your hotel-Where are you staying?
Pelican is a smaller company (Aruba only) and red sail operates on several islands. The Aruba operations are similar in size. They both have two nice dive boats and several catamarans. Their prices are similar.
Personally I prefer Pelican, In my opinion the staff is quite friendly, helpful and accomodating. I have been diving with both. When I lived there I worked at Pelican, so maybe I am slightly bias. Never the less, I am confident that you will be happy with them.
Boats have: fresh water showers, marine toilet, dry storage space, fresh drinking water (Aruba has excellent water), upper sun deck, one has a camera table, rear platform (giant stride entries), ladders, and are comfortable.
The morning two tank dive boats go to the South Coast. This area has the best vis. There are moderate seas at times, and often a moderate current. I don't know your level of experience and training, but this area is best for Advanced Open Water or above. The dives are usually about 90-100ft first dive, then 50-70ft-second dive. I particularly like the "Jane Sea" wreck, Bacadera reef and Skalahein reef.
Water temps are 80-85f. Vis=60-120ft.
The pm 1 tank boats go out at 1pm and 3pm.
1pm-"Pedernalis" wreck. Just 25ft deep, but a fantastic dive. Spiny lobsters, green and spooted moray, octopus + tons of reef fish. This site is wreckage of an oil tanker sunk during ww2. The wreckage was used as target practice by Dutch Marines after the war. So now it is basicly piles of blown apart rubble and some unexploded bombs. if you go 40 ft north of the mooring lines, about 10 feet left of the main wreckage, you'll see a coral head about 3ft in diameter. On the west side of the coral head you should see a little "cave" where an octopus lives. He/she usually has a pile of shells and dead coral pushed up around the entrance-check it out!
3pm-"Antilla" wreck-55ft max. Aruba's most famaous dive site:
The story (keep in mind this is part history & part local legend. I cannot guarantee iots accuracy)
The Antilla is the most famous of Aruba's wrecks. This german freighter was in Aruba's waters during WW2. It was suspected of supplying German u-Boats. Once Germany invaded Holland, the were considered the enemy by Aruba (Dutch). The ship was near Aruba and was surrounded by Dutch Marines. The captain, anchored off Aruba's North West shore, asked for time for his crew to gather belongings and surrender on shore. During this time, the crew super-heated the boilers. Just prior to leaving the ship, the captain opened valves allowing sea water to enter the ship. When the cool water reached the hot boilers, there was an explosion that virtually ripped the ship in half. The Antilla sank, lying on its port side. The main mast still penetrates the surface, as does a section of the starboard side.
The crew were taken prisoner and sent to Bonaire (a prison camp at the time) where they spent the days drinking rum and hitting on Bonarian women. (this is why so many people from Bonaire have blue eyes )
After the war, these prisoners liked Bonaire so much, they did not want to return to Germany. So a group of them opened the first Carribean resort in the Area. The buildings--The prison of course. The prison was converted to a resort. That resort is now the "Divi-Flamingo Resort"
The ship itself has become an artificial reef. There are multitudes of reef fish. The blown apart mid-section reveals the boiler sections. The wreck is easily penetraed at this point. The large cargo holds allow lots of room and there is pleanty of sunlight. Max depth 55 ft, this is a dive for both beginners and seasoned divers. The ship is on its side. The bottom is almost like a wall dive. Look up and see the colorful sponges and corals encasing the hull with the bright sun shinning overhead. Also sometimes stingrays hang out in the sand 50-100ft away from the wreck. There are several VERY LARGE green moray living there, so be sure to look under things (especially in the blown up section).
Wednesdays at 10am and fridays at 3pm is "Malmok" reef-70ft max (sometimes called "blue" reef) This site offers a 150ft water tanker wreck as well as a reef in one dive. Very nice dive. Vis varies a lot some days real good, some days darn lousy.
tueday and thursday at 3pm-"Arashi" reef(45ft max). Great dive, lots of arrow crabs. Huge green moray, spotted moray. The reef is dominated by soft corals but also contains some very large brain corals.
In general, the reefs are much healthier on the south coast. Vis better too. The best reef and vis, unfortunately, is only accessable by shore, and requires a lot of work.
I can help with more specific directions if you are interested in the shore diving thing. For more info about Aruba and some pics, check out my site www.aquatic1.com.
Aruba General ifo:
Power is the North American voltage standard of 110 A.C. (60 cycles), the same as in the United States and Canada Power failures are rare, but there have been some major problems recently. Should be fine by June. I suggest a surge protector if you intend to charge camera batteries or vieio equipment.
1 US dollar=1.75 Aruba florin. American $$ accepted anywhere. Sometimes small change will be in florin, but otherwise your change will be US.
Supermarkets have almost anything we have here, prices are similar, some slightly higher.
It is always very windy in Aruba. I mean real windy, like, don't wear a baseball cap windy. Keep that in mind when you pick a spot to lie on the beach. Find somewhere where you won't get sandblasted.
If you chose to rent a car, I suggest "Amigo car rental" they have good deals on cars and jeeps(samarai) American jeeps are available through "economy car rental" but they cost more than the samurai or jimmi.
Busses run every half hour and cost $1.25. Most are full size busses, some are just mini-vans and are eisily confused with Taxis.
Food:
There are pleanty of nice restaurants ($$), for local quizine try "the Buccaneer), for a fantastic (and huge) steak, try "el Gaucho".
For more moderate prices (under $20pp) :
Iguanna Joe's-Downtown. Tapas, fahitas, ribs etc..
Salt & Peppers-opposite the "Allegre" resort-lots of tapas, and international quizine.
The Bangozza Bar & Grille-at the "Mill Resort" nightly specials, complete dinners for $12, Wednesday-all-you-can-eat ribs nite. This place also has the best happy hour 5-7pm. Say Hi to Randall, Rosa and Gloria from Andrew.
Pelican Adventures offers a snorkel crise and a sunset cruise. Both are 2.5 hours and include snacks and unlimited drinks, it is a lot of fun.
Northside jeep tours are fun, but rather than go with the big groups and packed jeeps, try this. Rent your own jeep for the day, get a map. Drive to the California Lighthouse around 8-8:30am. You will see the tourist jeep convoy come through. You can eisily follow at a distance, so you dont get lost. Or just use the map and follow the coast line.
If you like to party, try Carlos and Charlies-downtown (especially fridays). Other fun spots include: Scandals, Mambo Jambo, and the Tatoo party cruise.
I could go on for ever about Aruba. I'll stop for now. Hope this helps. If you want more, just ask.
Andrew
o2scuba@aquatic1.com
www.aquatic1.com
Diving:
There is very little shore diving. There is some, but the entries are tough and there are long surface swims. If you are into this, let me know & I'll give you some directions.
The two largest Dive Operators "Red Sail Sports" and "Pelican Adventures" , have the most boats going out. Either one will pick you up at your hotel-Where are you staying?
Pelican is a smaller company (Aruba only) and red sail operates on several islands. The Aruba operations are similar in size. They both have two nice dive boats and several catamarans. Their prices are similar.
Personally I prefer Pelican, In my opinion the staff is quite friendly, helpful and accomodating. I have been diving with both. When I lived there I worked at Pelican, so maybe I am slightly bias. Never the less, I am confident that you will be happy with them.
Boats have: fresh water showers, marine toilet, dry storage space, fresh drinking water (Aruba has excellent water), upper sun deck, one has a camera table, rear platform (giant stride entries), ladders, and are comfortable.
The morning two tank dive boats go to the South Coast. This area has the best vis. There are moderate seas at times, and often a moderate current. I don't know your level of experience and training, but this area is best for Advanced Open Water or above. The dives are usually about 90-100ft first dive, then 50-70ft-second dive. I particularly like the "Jane Sea" wreck, Bacadera reef and Skalahein reef.
Water temps are 80-85f. Vis=60-120ft.
The pm 1 tank boats go out at 1pm and 3pm.
1pm-"Pedernalis" wreck. Just 25ft deep, but a fantastic dive. Spiny lobsters, green and spooted moray, octopus + tons of reef fish. This site is wreckage of an oil tanker sunk during ww2. The wreckage was used as target practice by Dutch Marines after the war. So now it is basicly piles of blown apart rubble and some unexploded bombs. if you go 40 ft north of the mooring lines, about 10 feet left of the main wreckage, you'll see a coral head about 3ft in diameter. On the west side of the coral head you should see a little "cave" where an octopus lives. He/she usually has a pile of shells and dead coral pushed up around the entrance-check it out!
3pm-"Antilla" wreck-55ft max. Aruba's most famaous dive site:
The story (keep in mind this is part history & part local legend. I cannot guarantee iots accuracy)
The Antilla is the most famous of Aruba's wrecks. This german freighter was in Aruba's waters during WW2. It was suspected of supplying German u-Boats. Once Germany invaded Holland, the were considered the enemy by Aruba (Dutch). The ship was near Aruba and was surrounded by Dutch Marines. The captain, anchored off Aruba's North West shore, asked for time for his crew to gather belongings and surrender on shore. During this time, the crew super-heated the boilers. Just prior to leaving the ship, the captain opened valves allowing sea water to enter the ship. When the cool water reached the hot boilers, there was an explosion that virtually ripped the ship in half. The Antilla sank, lying on its port side. The main mast still penetrates the surface, as does a section of the starboard side.
The crew were taken prisoner and sent to Bonaire (a prison camp at the time) where they spent the days drinking rum and hitting on Bonarian women. (this is why so many people from Bonaire have blue eyes )
After the war, these prisoners liked Bonaire so much, they did not want to return to Germany. So a group of them opened the first Carribean resort in the Area. The buildings--The prison of course. The prison was converted to a resort. That resort is now the "Divi-Flamingo Resort"
The ship itself has become an artificial reef. There are multitudes of reef fish. The blown apart mid-section reveals the boiler sections. The wreck is easily penetraed at this point. The large cargo holds allow lots of room and there is pleanty of sunlight. Max depth 55 ft, this is a dive for both beginners and seasoned divers. The ship is on its side. The bottom is almost like a wall dive. Look up and see the colorful sponges and corals encasing the hull with the bright sun shinning overhead. Also sometimes stingrays hang out in the sand 50-100ft away from the wreck. There are several VERY LARGE green moray living there, so be sure to look under things (especially in the blown up section).
Wednesdays at 10am and fridays at 3pm is "Malmok" reef-70ft max (sometimes called "blue" reef) This site offers a 150ft water tanker wreck as well as a reef in one dive. Very nice dive. Vis varies a lot some days real good, some days darn lousy.
tueday and thursday at 3pm-"Arashi" reef(45ft max). Great dive, lots of arrow crabs. Huge green moray, spotted moray. The reef is dominated by soft corals but also contains some very large brain corals.
In general, the reefs are much healthier on the south coast. Vis better too. The best reef and vis, unfortunately, is only accessable by shore, and requires a lot of work.
I can help with more specific directions if you are interested in the shore diving thing. For more info about Aruba and some pics, check out my site www.aquatic1.com.
Aruba General ifo:
Power is the North American voltage standard of 110 A.C. (60 cycles), the same as in the United States and Canada Power failures are rare, but there have been some major problems recently. Should be fine by June. I suggest a surge protector if you intend to charge camera batteries or vieio equipment.
1 US dollar=1.75 Aruba florin. American $$ accepted anywhere. Sometimes small change will be in florin, but otherwise your change will be US.
Supermarkets have almost anything we have here, prices are similar, some slightly higher.
It is always very windy in Aruba. I mean real windy, like, don't wear a baseball cap windy. Keep that in mind when you pick a spot to lie on the beach. Find somewhere where you won't get sandblasted.
If you chose to rent a car, I suggest "Amigo car rental" they have good deals on cars and jeeps(samarai) American jeeps are available through "economy car rental" but they cost more than the samurai or jimmi.
Busses run every half hour and cost $1.25. Most are full size busses, some are just mini-vans and are eisily confused with Taxis.
Food:
There are pleanty of nice restaurants ($$), for local quizine try "the Buccaneer), for a fantastic (and huge) steak, try "el Gaucho".
For more moderate prices (under $20pp) :
Iguanna Joe's-Downtown. Tapas, fahitas, ribs etc..
Salt & Peppers-opposite the "Allegre" resort-lots of tapas, and international quizine.
The Bangozza Bar & Grille-at the "Mill Resort" nightly specials, complete dinners for $12, Wednesday-all-you-can-eat ribs nite. This place also has the best happy hour 5-7pm. Say Hi to Randall, Rosa and Gloria from Andrew.
Pelican Adventures offers a snorkel crise and a sunset cruise. Both are 2.5 hours and include snacks and unlimited drinks, it is a lot of fun.
Northside jeep tours are fun, but rather than go with the big groups and packed jeeps, try this. Rent your own jeep for the day, get a map. Drive to the California Lighthouse around 8-8:30am. You will see the tourist jeep convoy come through. You can eisily follow at a distance, so you dont get lost. Or just use the map and follow the coast line.
If you like to party, try Carlos and Charlies-downtown (especially fridays). Other fun spots include: Scandals, Mambo Jambo, and the Tatoo party cruise.
I could go on for ever about Aruba. I'll stop for now. Hope this helps. If you want more, just ask.
Andrew
o2scuba@aquatic1.com
www.aquatic1.com
navy85
Contributor
I have been diving Aruba for 3 years - used Red Sail for the first two and Dive Aruba this year (just returned last week). I prefer Dive Aruba because it is a smaller operation and thus caters to the experience of the divers on the trip in terms of locations and bottom time. I was able to dive closer to the no-compression limits & use my air rather than being called up at a preset time.
As Norda indicated, there were no more than 3 per trip when I went and from other posts I have seen, this is typical. The dive boat is smaller than Red Sail, Pelican or Unique Watersports - any more than 6 would get crowded. These 3 operators are also located in the resort area and are a little more convenient to the hotels (Dive Aruba will pick you up and take you back, but it is about 15-20 min extra by the time you pick up your gear at the shop and get to the boat. I found it to be worth the additional time). Dive Aruba's prices did seem to be a bit less than the others (I am a relatively new diver and rent my equipment on these trips).
I didn't have any problems with Red Sail, although there are certainly some definite opinions out there. I have heard mostly positive reports about Pelican and Unique. One operator I have heard nothing good about is Mermaid.
o2scuba has provided a lot of good info on the diving - I don't have anything to add other than the Antilla was a great dive for me. I saw one of those green morays, too, and they were BIG.
Check out the Message Board at www.aruba.com and search under Watersports for more information from people who dive there regularly.
Pasa un bon dia!
Peter
As Norda indicated, there were no more than 3 per trip when I went and from other posts I have seen, this is typical. The dive boat is smaller than Red Sail, Pelican or Unique Watersports - any more than 6 would get crowded. These 3 operators are also located in the resort area and are a little more convenient to the hotels (Dive Aruba will pick you up and take you back, but it is about 15-20 min extra by the time you pick up your gear at the shop and get to the boat. I found it to be worth the additional time). Dive Aruba's prices did seem to be a bit less than the others (I am a relatively new diver and rent my equipment on these trips).
I didn't have any problems with Red Sail, although there are certainly some definite opinions out there. I have heard mostly positive reports about Pelican and Unique. One operator I have heard nothing good about is Mermaid.
o2scuba has provided a lot of good info on the diving - I don't have anything to add other than the Antilla was a great dive for me. I saw one of those green morays, too, and they were BIG.
Check out the Message Board at www.aruba.com and search under Watersports for more information from people who dive there regularly.
Pasa un bon dia!
Peter
O2scuba....
What was the Female instructors name at Pelican? Real pretty, blonde hair, pink bikini, and tattoo on her back at the bikini line????
I liked diving with them. But there were also 2 new divers that obviously weren't sure of themselves. And the instructors just dove ahead of us and didn't keep an eye on anyone.
What was the Female instructors name at Pelican? Real pretty, blonde hair, pink bikini, and tattoo on her back at the bikini line????
I liked diving with them. But there were also 2 new divers that obviously weren't sure of themselves. And the instructors just dove ahead of us and didn't keep an eye on anyone.
Deb and I just got back from Aruba, we have a timeshare there so its a yearly trip. This year rather than diving with the big operators (i.e. Pelican or Redsail), we dived with Native Divers.
What a difference! Romeo of Native Divers runs a six-pack off the beach. He said he tries to not take more than four divers at a time. He is very flexible and will tailor the dive to your experience level and desires. For example, we wanted to dive wrecks so he took us only to wreck sites. If you want him to he will even assemble all of your gear, all you have to do is jump in the water.
One drawback is the boat doesn't have a bathroom or shower. As far as I'm concerned the personal service, the flexibility, and not having to wait in line with forty other divers/snorkelers to get in and out of the water more than make up for it.
Had a blast and will dive with them next year,
Had a blast,
Mike
What a difference! Romeo of Native Divers runs a six-pack off the beach. He said he tries to not take more than four divers at a time. He is very flexible and will tailor the dive to your experience level and desires. For example, we wanted to dive wrecks so he took us only to wreck sites. If you want him to he will even assemble all of your gear, all you have to do is jump in the water.
One drawback is the boat doesn't have a bathroom or shower. As far as I'm concerned the personal service, the flexibility, and not having to wait in line with forty other divers/snorkelers to get in and out of the water more than make up for it.
Had a blast and will dive with them next year,
Had a blast,
Mike
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