🇦🇷Snorkeling, Freediving, and Scuba in Aruba

Caribbean Sea

sea

Tropical Northwestern Atlantic

province

Southern Caribbean

ecoregion

Airplanes (Wreck)

The Airplanes dive site features two decommissioned aircraft, including a 74-foot Convair 240, which now serves as an artificial reef. The wrecks are located at a depth of approximately 80 feet, having shifted deeper due to a hurricane. Divers can expect to encounter various marine life around the wrecks, such as nurse sharks, reef sharks, possible sightings of eagle rays, turtles, and a variety of fish species including snapper, angelfish, grunts, anemones, and grouper. Access to the site is available via shore entry.

12.5040, -70.0341

Antilla (Wreck)

The Antilla wreck, measuring 400 feet in length, is the largest shipwreck dive in the Caribbean. The structure remains largely intact, allowing divers to investigate various features such as portholes, deck fittings, and sections of the interior. The wreck is adorned with tube sponges, coral formations, and is home to a variety of marine life, including tropical fish, shrimp, lobsters, and orange anemones. Pelicans are often seen in the vicinity, feeding on jumping silversides. Access to the site is via boat.

12.6022, -70.0585

Antilla Wreck Zkzq

The Antilla Wreck is a 121-meter-long shipwreck located in about 18 meters (60 feet) of water in Malmok Bay. Scuttled in 1940, it rests on its port side and is home to various marine life including hawksbill turtles, lobsters, moray eels, and numerous tropical fish. Divers can explore the wreck and its colonizing corals and sponges.

12.6008, -70.0554

Arashi (Wreck)

The Arashi Wreck site features the remains of a Lockheed Lodestar located at a depth of approximately 35 feet. This area is characterized by coral formations and is home to a variety of marine life, including parrotfish, angelfish, nurse sharks, and the possibility of encountering eagle rays and turtles. Divers can also observe stingrays and various fish species such as snapper and grouper. Entry to the site is from the shore, making it accessible for divers of all levels.

12.6091, -70.0573

Arashi Reef Yry6

Arashi Reef is located in northern Aruba and features a maximum depth of 13 meters. Divers can observe green and hawksbill turtles at the cleaning station, along with a variety of marine life including angelfish, parrotfish, lionfish, moray eels, lobsters, octopuses, and stingrays. The site also contains parts of a sunken Lockheed Lodestar, making it suitable for divers of all levels due to the calm waters and good visibility.

12.6088, -70.0602

Aruba

Aruba offers a diverse range of dive sites, featuring both natural and artificial structures. While not primarily known for wreck diving, the area includes several shipwrecks and intentionally sunk artificial reefs, such as airplanes. Divers can expect to encounter a variety of Caribbean marine life, including nurse sharks, reef sharks, and the occasional eagle ray. Other species commonly seen are turtles, stingrays, and various fish such as snapper, angelfish, grunts, parrotfish, and grouper. The entry to dive sites is from the shore, providing easy access to these underwater environments.

12.5184, -69.9811

Barcadera Reef

Barcadera Reef is situated directly in front of Barcadera Harbour and is exclusively accessible by boat. This site is well-suited for drift diving, offering a diverse underwater landscape. The reef features a mix of sandy patches and various coral formations, providing a habitat for a range of marine life. The conditions here are typically favorable for divers, making it an appealing location for underwater exploration.

12.4783, -70.0040

Blue Reef / Debbie II (Wreck)

Blue Reef, also known as the Debbie II wreck, features a sunken 120-foot fuel barge that serves as an artificial reef. The wreck is home to a variety of marine life, including nurse sharks, reef sharks, and potential sightings of eagle rays and turtles. Divers can observe large schools of fish, such as snapper, angelfish, and grouper, along with notable species like barracudas. The site is characterized by vibrant barrel sponges in various colors, including purple, orange, and green. Entry to the site is from the shore, making it accessible for divers.

12.5998, -70.0541

Harbor Reef / Pilot Boat

Harbor Reef, also known as Pilot Boat, features the wreck of the Star Gerren, a German vessel that was abandoned in 1996 and subsequently sunk in 2000 to create an artificial reef. The ship is positioned on its side, providing ample openings for divers to explore. This site is accessible from the shore and offers a unique opportunity to observe marine life that has made the wreck its home. The structure of the wreck allows for various swim-throughs, enhancing the diving experience.

12.5146, -70.0441

Hole in the Wall

Hole in the Wall is a varied dive site accessible from the shore, with entry points available from the jetty or the beach. Divers can explore in either direction towards the Mangel Halto dive site. The underwater landscape features a sloping wall adorned with diverse corals and a variety of marine life. Common sightings include nurse sharks, reef sharks, and potential encounters with eagle rays, turtles, and stingrays. The fish population is abundant, showcasing species such as snapper, angelfish, grunts, parrotfish, and grouper.

12.4648, -69.9761

Jane Sea (Wreck)

Jane Sea is a 250-foot cement freighter located upright at a depth of 90 feet. The wreck serves as a habitat for various marine life, including nurse sharks, reef sharks, and the occasional eagle ray and turtle. Schooling tropical fish, such as snapper, angelfish, and grouper, can be observed around the structure. The wreck is also adorned with deep water gorgonians, sponges, and coral, making it a suitable site for underwater photography. The surrounding reef begins at a depth of 20 feet, providing opportunities for snorkeling.

12.4710, -69.9962

Mangel Halto Reef The Kappel Wreck Zvjq

Mangel Halto Reef features a depth of 12 meters (40 feet) and is suitable for both snorkeling and scuba diving. The site has a variety of corals, sponges, and vibrant marine life including angelfish, parrotfish, and snappers. Entry is from the shore, making it accessible for training and casual dives.

12.4633, -69.9713

Pedernales Wreck E94W

The Pedernales wreck is the remains of a flat-bottomed oil tanker that was damaged by a torpedo in 1942. Scattered parts of the middle section are found at a depth of about 10 meters (30 feet), inhabited by various marine life such as angelfish, groupers, moray eels, and spotted eagle rays.

12.5562, -70.0648

Pedernalis (Wreck)

The Pedernalis wreck is a shallow dive site that remains largely intact, making it accessible for divers and snorkelers alike. Located at coordinates 12.576600, -70.058200, this site is frequently visited by snorkel cruises, resulting in a bustling atmosphere. Marine life around the wreck includes nurse sharks, reef sharks, and the occasional eagle ray, along with turtles and a variety of fish species such as snapper, angelfish, grunts, and grouper. The presence of anemones adds to the biodiversity of the area, providing a rich environment for exploration.

12.5766, -70.0582

Pos Chiquito Reef 1Rrz

Pos Chiquito Reef is a coral wall that slopes from 5 to 40 meters (15 to 110 feet). Divers can observe marine life such as barracudas, sardines, jacks, moray eels, and cleaner shrimps. This site is suitable for divers of all levels and is best visited between April and November.

12.4577, -69.9623

Sponge Reef

Sponge Reef is characterized by an extensive coverage of large, colorful sponges. This site is often visited by various marine species, including turtles, nurse sharks, reef sharks, and occasionally eagle rays. Divers can also observe a variety of fish such as snapper, angelfish, grunts, parrot fish, and grouper. The entry to this dive site is from the shore, making it accessible for divers looking to explore the rich marine life and sponge formations.

12.4966, -70.0281

Star Gerren

Star Gerren is a German ship that was abandoned in a harbor in 1996. Due to its deteriorating condition and the unknown ownership, it was intentionally sunk in 2000 to create an artificial reef. During the sinking process, the vessel ended up on its side, providing multiple openings for divers to explore. This site offers a unique opportunity to navigate through the wreck, which is now home to various marine life, enhancing the diving experience.

12.5798, -70.0699