Aruba, dushi tera for scuba diving. Although diving in Aruba is overshadowed by its white sand beaches and turquoise sea, this means many travelers who have ever dived in their lives miss out on the abundant life found on its reefs and sunken ships and airplanes.

I am Christian Echeverria, a travel blogger. With my blog, I help travelers book tours in the Galapagos, and now that I have lived in Aruba, I have been able to create partnerships. With my experience, I can help you book a dive for travelers with no experience, as well as for certified divers, at the lowest price online.

VIDEO OF THE SCUBA DIVING IN ARUBA

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Before diving in Aruba, you should know that the island’s dive sites are divided between north and south. That’s why I dove with two certified PADI local operators. With one, I did a dive at the Antilla Shipwreck, which is in the north of the island. Dive sites like the Jane Sea Shipwreck, Finger Reef, and Hole in the Wall are further south, although the sunken YS-11 and DC-3 airplanes are located in the center and can be done with any operator.

Diving in Aruba is my top recommendation

I highly recommend diving in Aruba

Discovery Scuba Diving – Zero Experience

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My love for the sea and the beaches has led me to encourage the people who visited me in Aruba to truly experience the complete Caribbean. That’s why my recommendation is that you take a day from your itinerary to do a discovery dive; it is 10 times better than snorkeling.

Now, a discovery dive is for someone who has never gone diving in their life, with no prior experience, but wants to experience what it’s like to dive among the reefs and a sunken yacht located at Mangel Halto beach.

Learning the components of the scuba equipment.

Learning How to Use the Diving Equipment

First, they will show you an introductory video, and you will fill out a test to check your understanding of the video. Then, the divemaster will give you the equipment, and you will practice using each part of your scuba diving gear.
 

Entering Mangel Halto for Discovery training on foot.

Practicing with each part of the scuba diving equipment

For the Discovery training

Practicing with the parts of the scuba diving equipment

Once ready, they go to the sea, where they will enter by walking along the beach until the water reaches their waist, and the training will begin: breathing through the mouth with the tank, clearing the mask if it fogs up, and also the equalization techniques so that your ears don’t hurt.
 
 

Discovery Scuba Diving in Aruba

After gaining confidence, you dive relaxed.

Photo time! My first dive in Aruba.

My first Discovery Scuba Dive in Aruba.

Trust allows you to dive with ease

Ready for my first scuba diving photo in Aruba

After you experience this Discovery Scuba Diving adventure, you’ll want to get your Open Water certification, which you can do in your home country. You don’t need to live near the ocean because you can complete the theoretical and practical parts in swimming pools, which is what many PADI agencies do.

Scuba diving in SS Antilla wreck

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One of the most famous diving spots in Aruba is the Antilla, a German freighter that was scuttled by its own crew during World War II to prevent it from falling into enemy hands. The ship rests on a sandy bottom at a depth of no more than 20 meters, so a certified open water diver could manage it without any problems.

SS Antilla Shipwreck diving in Aruba

SS Antilla Shipwreck in Aruba

 
The dive operator I went with, I liked a lot because they go out very early in the morning. Since the shipwreck is located in an area near a tourist beach, this allows you to avoid the noise from the other boats that offer parties and snorkeling. You also avoid the other dive companies, achieving a dive in solitude—if it weren’t for the abundance of fish, turtles, and corals that have made the Antilla their home.

Turn over the Antilla Shipwreck

Sea turtle, permanent resident of the Antilles

Scuba diving in Jane Sea Shipwreck

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The Jane Sea Shipwreck is a sunken ship that was formerly a cement carrier. It was intentionally sunk on September 4, 1988, off the coast of Aruba to create an artificial reef, and it is now a popular dive site. I was only able to reach the deck, as divers with certifications higher than Open Water could reach the bottom at 27 meters. If you like shipwrecks and marine life, the Jane Sea Shipwreck is a must-do dive in Aruba.

Dives in Aruba range from Open Water to Advanced

An open water diver can dive in Aruba

Scuba Diving in Finger Reef

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Finger Reef is a coral reef that resembles “fingers” (hence its name) extending from the seabed, creating a fascinating underwater landscape. The reef is composed of several coral formations that rise from depths of 12 to 24 meters, creating ideal drop-offs and crevices to explore. Although when we went the sea was quite rough and we thought we would have strong currents, in the end, the entire dive was uneventful. However, Finger Reef usually has calm waters, making it ideal for divers of all levels, including beginners.

Sunken plane to create artificial reefs

Between sunken planes and marine life

Scuba diving in Airplanes YS-11 y DC-3 – Renaissance Island

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Aircraft wreck site near Renaissance Island is a dive spot close to the private island of the Renaissance Hotel, where two airplanes from the defunct Aruba Airlines were intentionally sunk. When the company went bankrupt, they didn’t know what to do with their aircraft and requested to have them scuttled to create an artificial reef so fish would have a nursery. One plane is intact; you enter through the rear just as you would board a plane and can exit through the emergency exit or the main door. In contrast, the other is a small plane that is broken in half. If you suffer from claustrophobia and fear of the dark, you will have to confront them and live through that experience. If you enjoy wreck diving and aeronautical history, this place is a jewel for diving that you cannot miss. It is a dive that someone with an Open Water certification can perform.🚀

Aruba is an incredible destination for diving, with an abundance of marine life.

Aruba is an amazing scuba diving destination

The best part of the dives I did was the crystal-clear water. Although it was murky around the sunken planes, I had visibility and was able to observe the marine life and coral formations as if I were watching an ULTRA HD TV.

Various types of coral that serve as nurseries for juvenile fish

Scuba diving Hole in the Wall

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Hole in the wall is a dive site near Mangel Halto. The entrance is by foot and it’s a rocky area, but before entering you must have your BCD inflated because there will come a point where you will have to swim to reach the descent point.

Scuba Diving at Hole in the Wall for my Advanced Open Water certification

Scuba Diving at Hole in the Wall in Aruba

I did two dives at Hole in the Wall: a Discovery dive to accompany a friend, along with 4 other people who were also doing Discovery Scuba Diving. Even at the shallow depth we descended to, the reefs were spectacular. The dive masters told me that in the area where certified Open Water divers are allowed to go, the diving is truly spectacular.

The beautiful corals in ‘Holly in the Wall

 
That’s why, for my second dive, which was for my advanced diver certification, we had to go down to 30 meters, and even at that depth, we had spectacular visibility. I’m also told it’s a great place for night diving.

DIVE SITES MAP

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SCUBA DIVING PHOTOS IN ARUBA

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Starting my first dive in Aruba with my Open Water PADI.

The Karate Kid seagull version

The Antilla has become a lair for fish

The Antilla is split in half

En route to Aruba’s most famous shipwreck