Destination guide
Aruba
Wreck-rich Caribbean diving with steady trade winds and easy logistics
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Overview
Wreck-rich Caribbean diving with steady trade winds and easy logistics
Aruba delivers clear water, reliable trade winds, and some of the Caribbean's most approachable wrecks. Most diving happens on the calm west and south coasts, with shore-access entries at Mangel Halto and Pos Chiquito and boat trips to icons like Antilla, Pedernalis, and Jane Sea. Topside, Arikok National Park protects dramatic desert and coastline. Aruba operates marine protected areas around key habitats and a land conservation pass for Arikok, but there is no separate marine tag for divers. Complete the online ED-Card before arrival and budget the ED sustainability fee. US CBP preclearance at AUA speeds flights home.
Why choose Aruba
- Signature wrecks in recreational depths, frequent calm on the leeward coast, and short boat rides mean easy, repeatable dives for mixed-experience groups.
- The island's Parke Marino Aruba protects four MPAs around key reef, seagrass, and mangrove habitats, while Arikok National Park covers nearly 20% of land. Divers follow area rules, but there is no separate diver user tag.
Where you will dive
- Leeward west and south: boat dives to the Antilla, Pedernalis, Jane Sea, Blue Reef/Debbie II, plus reefs from Malmok to Savaneta.
- Shore-access pockets: Mangel Halto, Hole in the Wall, and Pos Chiquito offer training-friendly slopes and reef walls, with current awareness around Spaans Lagoen channel.
Conditions snapshot
- Year-round warm water, rain mainly Oct to Jan, and steady trade winds. Aruba sits south of the main hurricane track, though distant systems can raise swell and surge.
Conservation and access
- Arikok National Park Conservation Pass: day-pass required for park roads, trails, and the Natural Pool.
- Aruba ED-Card: complete online up to 1 week before travel; a {{ 20 | currency:USD }} ED sustainability fee applies per arriving air passenger.
Trip callouts
- Wreck Portfolio
Antilla, Pedernalis, Jane Sea, and Debbie II sit between 10 m and 30 m bottoms, ideal for recreational profiles.
- Shore + Boat Options
Mix easy shore entries at Mangel Halto and Pos Chiquito with short-run boat dives to wrecks and reefs.
- Protected Nature
Four Marine Protected Areas under the Aruba Conservation Foundation and a large terrestrial park conserve reefs, seagrass, mangroves, and desert habitats.
- Simple Entry Process
Online ED-Card with pre-arrival completion and US preclearance at AUA streamline travel days.
- Year-Round Season
Warm water and consistent trade winds keep diving viable in all months; plan around windier Jun to Aug periods for the calmest sites.
Activity highlights
scuba
Why Aruba for Scuba Diving
Aruba is wreck central for recreational divers. Expect short boat rides, easy depths, and good viz on the leeward side. Local operators like Pure Diving Aruba and Aqua Windie's run south coast wreck circuits and shore training at Mangel Halto, Hole in the Wall, and Santo Largo. Morning charters see calmer seas and better light on the wrecks.
freedive
Why Aruba for Freediving
Sheltered coves and reef walls on the south coast make relaxed line training and exploration possible most months. Operators offer PADI Freediver and guided sessions, and many scuba boats welcome snorkeling or breath-hold observers on reef sites. Expect gentle slopes and drop-offs with turtles and schools in blue water.
snorkel
Why Aruba for Snorkeling
Aruba's leeward coastline has easy snorkel entries and boat-access shallow wrecks. Drift along coral shallows at Mangel Halto, look for turtles at Pos Chiquito, or join boats to Pedernalis or Malmok's wreck scatter. South-coast guides offer safe drifts tailored to conditions.
topside
What to do when you are not in the water
Hike or 4x4 in Arikok National Park, explore caves and dunes, photograph divi-divi trees on Eagle Beach, and wander San Nicolas's street art. Buses and fixed-fare taxis cover most sights, while rentals help reach remote park tracks. Arikok requires a Conservation Pass for entry roads and trails.
About these guides
DiveJourney destination guides are living documents built from local knowledge, operator experience, and publicly available sources. Conditions, regulations, and logistics can change. Each guide shows its last update date and sources used.
Last updated: October 30, 2025 • 8 sources
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