On 29 August 2015, I traveled to Aruba with my family, 12 of us in all. I am a regular diver and own all of my own equipment. The members of my family are occasional divers who were planning to rent equipment. I arranged with S. E. Divers to dive recreationally from Sunday 30 August through Friday 4 September 2015, for a 12 dive package. Other members of my family had arranged 4 or 6 dives with them later in the week. I had emailed with the dive shop to arrange the bookings and pickup times. I had indicated that I might want to dive the day that I flew in, but I'd contact them if and only if I wanted to dive when I arrive.
On the morning of Sunday 30 August, I arrived at the appointed pickup place and time. S. E. Aruba (Fly 'n Dive) did not arrive. After waiting 15 minutes for them, I found a phone and called. They told me that they had no boats in the water, and no dive masters available. As a serious diver, I could not have been more disappointed.
I arranged dives with an alternate shop, Unique Sports Aruba. They got me on a Sunday afternoon charter. My entire family cancelled their plans with S. E. Aruba and arranged to dive with Unique Sports Aruba. While I cannot comment on the quality of diving that S. E. Aruba offers, I can't recommend diving with them.
My family enjoyed diving with Unique. I liked the staff. A couple of them were technical divers--as a budding technical diver, I very much enjoyed learning about technical diving in the ABCs. I must admit that there were more insta-buddies than I'd like--though it was expected.
On the morning of Sunday 30 August, I arrived at the appointed pickup place and time. S. E. Aruba (Fly 'n Dive) did not arrive. After waiting 15 minutes for them, I found a phone and called. They told me that they had no boats in the water, and no dive masters available. As a serious diver, I could not have been more disappointed.
I arranged dives with an alternate shop, Unique Sports Aruba. They got me on a Sunday afternoon charter. My entire family cancelled their plans with S. E. Aruba and arranged to dive with Unique Sports Aruba. While I cannot comment on the quality of diving that S. E. Aruba offers, I can't recommend diving with them.
My family enjoyed diving with Unique. I liked the staff. A couple of them were technical divers--as a budding technical diver, I very much enjoyed learning about technical diving in the ABCs. I must admit that there were more insta-buddies than I'd like--though it was expected.
