Diving Aruba (10 top dive spots)

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Aruba is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

It has a population of about 101,000 and it covers 69.1 square miles.

The Capital of Aruba is Oranjestad.

It is rarely affected by Hurricanes.



When to dive Aruba

Aruba is a year round destination.The wettest time of year is from October until         December with 3 to 3.7 inches of rain / month. March, April and May are the driest   months.

Average temperatures:

MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min (°C)242425252626262626262625
Max (°C)292930303131313131313029
Min (°F)757577777979797979797977
Max (°F)848486868888888888888684

   Average precipitation:

MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Prec.(mm)402010101520302545809580470
Prec.(in)1.60.80.40.40.60.81.211.83.13.73.118.5
Days8522235447111165

   Average water temperatures:

MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Temp (°C)262626262727272828292827
Temp (°F)797979798181818282848281


Aruba is known for wreck diving, it hosts the second biggest amount of wrecks in the Caribbean, it also offers some very nice Soft Coral reefs and Gardens of seagrass.


You can find plenty of dive shops in Aruba, 8 are PADI dive centers and also a few SSI and NAUI dive centers are available.



Aruba wreck diving;

Jane Sea Wreck.









This 170 ft cement freighter sunk in 1988, the reef starts at 20 ft only and the wreck sits upright on a sandy bottom at around 100ft. 

The Jane sea is overgrown with Sponges, Gorgonians and orange cup corals.

There is plenty of fish to observe at the wreck, Snapper, Angelfish, Grunts, Grouper, Reef and Nurse sharks and sometimes you'll see some Eagle Rays. The big schools of tropical fish attract the Barracudas.


Airplane wrecks.








This dive site is quiet unique, it boasts not one but two airplane wrecks.

The first one is a DC 3, which was split in half in 1991 by hurricane Lenny, a part lies lies at 45 ft and the other half at 80 ft. The second wreck is a S11, which apart from the nose is still intact. The S11 lies at 80 ft and you can enter the plane.

Reef and Nurse sharks live around the wrecks together with Turtles, Grouper, File fish, Grunts, Groupers and Grunts.


Pedernales wreck.


 








This tanker lies in very shallow (33 ft) water and was sunk by a German torpedo in 1942.

The site is reached with a 20 minute boat ride, sections of the cabins, washbasins, toilets and the pipeline can be seen on this wreck.

Blue Moray Eels, Rays, Turtles, Angelfish and Groupers made this their home.


Debbie II wreck.








This wreck lies at a depth of 70 ft in the Blue Reef.

The reef is known for it's purple, green & orange Barrel Sponges and Brain Coral.

The 120 ft long fuel barge was sunk in 1992 and it is the home to many Lobster, Rays and the schools of fish attract the Barracudas. The Debbie II is very easily reached by boat.


Antilla wreck.








With a lenght of 400 ft, the Antilla is the biggest wreck in the South Caribbean.

The wreck is mostly intact and the interior sections, deck fitting and porthole can be explored. The wreck rests in 66 ft of water and is easily reachable by boat.

Corals and Tube Sponges cover the Antilla. It is the home to Shrimp, Lobster, Tropical fish & Orange Anemones. jumping Silver sides attract Pelicans.

Aruba reef diving:

Mas Bango reef.











This reef starts at 5 ft depth only and reaches a maximum depth of 130 ft, healthy Corals cover the slope.

Angelfish, Tuna, Anemone fish, Mas Bango, Surgeon fish, and Barracudas are to be observed at the Mas Bango reef. Good visibility and the variety of marine life make this a popular dive spot for photographers.


Arashi reef.










With a depth of 35 ft this reef is ideal for all level divers. 

Between the Coral formations you can enjoy parts of a sunken Lockheed Lodestar.

Nurse and reef sharks share this reef with Parrot fish, Turtles, Angelfish, Stingrays, Grunts and Groupers.


Finger reef.










This dive site ranges from 40 to 130 ft and is recommended for advanced divers because of the strong currents.

Apart from the Turtles, Eels, Shrimp,Crabs and tropical fish you'll have a good chance of seeing some pelagic that the currents attract.


Mangel Halto reef.











This easy shore dive that starts at 15 ft only and reaches 110 ft maximum.

Lots of different Corals, and a diverse marine life make this a great site for snorkeling and diving. 

Grunts, Eels, Anemones, Snapper, Grouper and Angelfish can be seen here.


Sponge reef.











This reef didn't steal it's name, as far as you can see this reef is covered in sponges.

Often Turtles can be spotted at this 65 ft deep reef. 

Grunts, Grouper, Angelfish, Parrot fish and Snapper all live here at this amazing reef.

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