Aruba's Top Scuba Dives

Aruba offers divers a multitude of reefs and wrecks. It's time to discover this charming southern Caribbean island!

ARUBA DIVE SITES

Antilla: Wreck at 60 feet. The signature Aruba wreck dive. This German freighter lies on her port side with the bow of the ship facing Aruba. It was scuttled on May 10, 1940, when the Germans invaded Holland during WWII. One of the largest wrecks in the Caribbean (400 feet long), it is great for penetrations due to the large compartments of this vessel, which is broken in the middle where the explosives were set that sunk the ship. Covered by tube sponges, coral formations and tropical fish, it is reachable in about 10 minutes by boat.

Perdernales: Wreck at 35 feet. Great for underwater photographers. A beginner's paradise offering a combination of large pieces of wreck spread out between coral formations. You can see sections of cabins, washbasins, etc., as well as a pipeline system that goes with this oil tanker that was torpedoed in 1942 during World War II by a German submarine. Boat ride is about 20 minutes.

Pilot Boat: Wreck, also called Tugboat. Look for a huge green moray under the keel. Reef consisting of soft coral formations that drops gradually to an old pilot boat wreck where a pair of green morays are often seen. The pilot boat is about 40 feet long, and the boat ride is about 20 minutes.

Kantil Reef: Coral reef to 110 feet. Gigantic boulders of brain coral. An occasional manta may show.

Jane C: Wreck, 80 feet. Excellent wreck dive with penetration that's also spelled Jane Sea. A 250-foot cement freighter that sits upright on the bottom in 90 feet of water. The wreck is surrounded by beautiful coral formations. At this site you will find lots of angelfish and schooling tropical fish in and around the wreck. The largest compartment is the cargo area that is open from the top. The rest of the wreck's penetration area is a little bit small and only experienced wreck divers should go in there. The reef is parallel to the island at the south coast and the Jane C is facing the reef. The boat ride is about 50 minutes.

Mangel Halto Reef: Coral reef to 110 feet. Seahorse city.

Sonesta Reef: Coral reef to 60 feet. Also called Sonesta Airplanes. The Constellation is in good shape, and it's a fun dive. The Convair 240 is sunk on a sloping reef surrounded by soft corals and colorful sponges. It was broken apart after Hurricane Lenny hit in 1999.

Natural Bridge: Coral reef to 110 feet. An advanced dive on the rugged north shore. Always the possibility of pelagics.

Cabez Reef: Coral reef to 50 feet. Good north shore dive and mostly virgin.

Malmok Reef: Coral reef to 70 feet. Watch for the big stingrays in the sand.