courtesy of: The Morning News
When I am not studying medicine I volunteer at the weekends teaching PADI courses and introducing divers to this magical underwater world. I’ve written this article to make all divers aware of how exceptional this small island is.
Aruba is an island located 27km/ 17 miles from Venezuela.Together with Bonaire and Curacao they are called the ABC islands in the Caribbean. The island is commonly visited by cruise ships for relaxing vacations. However, most individuals don’t know that this island has more to offer than shopping and white beaches with all the accommodations included. Daily airlines flying to Aruba from United States such as American Airlines, US Airways and Delta airlines. Warm and clear water temperatures ranging from 75F/24C make Aruba an exquisite place for scuba diving. In fact, this happy island has more than 20 dive sites all around from North to South and East to West for beginners, intermediates and professionals. Here are the top 3 best places to dive in Aruba.
1-Fingers reef (20-120’feet)
When arriving at this beautiful dive site with the best visibility in the island it is possible to observe that the reef comes out like fingers pointing down deeper water. Weekly, PADI S.E.Aruba Fly and Dive Center takes divers to this unbelievable place only when is the right time in order to get the most of it. Rich in soft and hard coral formations with countless tropical fish, green moray eels and turtles cruising by. For PADI Open Water students a privilege to dive this place for the beauty of the reef and the positive feedback received is tremendous. Specially, during month of March, Manta rays are seen by divers at depths of 10-40 feet and when they are spotted its like an underwater circus for all. These passing mantas tend to come really close and it is one of the best attractions when you are lucky be in the warm water with them.
2-Jane Sea Wreck (20-100’feet)
Local dive shops and records have shown that this 749 tons and 190 ft long wreck was used to transport cement from Venezuela to Aruba. At the end, the wreck was transporting another type of white powder called cocaine. Authorities confiscated the wreck and dive shops in Aruba decided to make it one of the dive sites. The freighter lies upright on the ocean floor. The bow is located in 65 feet of water while the stern is in 94feet underwater. Local-dive center, try to protect the reef by using floating buoys that are hooked at the bottom of the ocean to prevent anchors destroying the reef. This amazing artificial reef served as home to giant schools of barracudas, huge school of sardines and other pelagic fish. Green moray eels and octopus are also frequent visitors to this languishing dive. Small doors have been made for advanced divers to go through the wreck resulting in an unforgettable experience.
3-The Antilla Wreck(40-60 feet)
The Antilla was a German freighter built in 1939. It was 400 feet long and weighted more than 3000 tons. It was an unarmed ship used by the Germans during World War II to supply their submarines with food. In 1940, The Antilla was moored off the coast of Aruba. The authorities in Aruba demanded the captain to surrender the ship. As an acute captain, he asked the authorities for a day to communicate to all the marines about throwing the white flag. Authorities accepted and they did not acknowledge what was coming. The next day, the captain submerged and abandoned the ship in order to prevent its capture. Sadly, no one made it back to Aruba until today.
On the other hand, this amazing and favorite wreck lies in less than 60 feet of water and hosts shoals of moray eels, sting rays, yellow grunts, trunkfish, hogfish, angel fish, pompanos, great barracudas and other fish. Once a year, whale sharks have been spotted eating plankton in this long wreck for some lucky divers to observe. Nowadays, gliding through the wreck is recommended only with Dive masters who know the wreck. It is also an excellent photo opportunity for all.
Aruba is a tropical island that is well known for relaxation. Therefore, I recommend that everyone to visit this island, and enjoy the real scuba diving and relaxation it offers!
Regards,Gino Giannone
Scuba Instructor
Underwater Videographer and Photographer
www.ginodivingaruba.com
