Scuba Aruba

If you haven't scuba dived in Aruba, you've been missing out. There are at least twenty shipwrecks and reefs to explore around the island from the Antilla and California wrecks to the Cabez reef on the southeast end of the island. The Antilla is probably the most famous of the wrecks. It was a German freighter that was scuttled at the beginning of World War II, when the Germans invaded Holland. The captain di not want to give up the ship, so he scuttled it so that the Dutch government wouldn't be able to take it. At 400 feet, it is the largest wreck in the Carribean and easily accessible with large compartments. There are even Snuba, (a combination of snorkeling with air tanks floating on the surface) dives to it.

Aruba's marine life includes stingrays, moray eels, manta rays, barracudas and yellow tail. The best dive sites run between depths of 30 to 100 feet. There is little or no current with typical calm surface conditions.

Another popular diving site is the Lago Reef, at 120 feet, it is Aruba's deepest dive location with impressive levels of coral formations. Deep water gorgonea, sponges, sea anemones and numerous marine life. All types of fish life with many large species.

Other wrecks include, The California Wreck sitting at a 15'-30' depth. This fascinating wreck is located at a depth that is very exciting for underwater photography. The wreck is surrounded by large coral formations and an abundance of tropical fish. This dive location is only for advanced divers, due to currents and occasionally choppy seas.
The California made history as the ship that received, but did not react to, the S.O.S. signals from the Titanic. The ship is almost 100 years old and is on the north coast of Aruba. And the Pedernales Wreck it was torpedoed during the last World War by a German submarine. The area is known for many types of groupers and large numbers of angel fish.

Round this collection of diving sites out with the Jane Wreck, a 250' cement freighter sitting upright on the bottom in 90' 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.

There are plenty more sites to explore and wonder at.