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About Dive Destinations
- Variety of dive sites (what will I see?)
-
Water temperature and visibility.
-
Safety of dive destination (recompression chamber? safety codes?).
- Resorts and amenities (what activities to enjoy after the dive?).
- Dive operators (who offers what and at what price?).
- Ecology (what is the destination doing to ensure minimal environmental impact? What precautions are being taken to ensure protection of the underwater environment?).
About the Diving
- How close are the dive sites?
- Are there alternative dive sites if the weather should change?
- My partner just learned to dive, are there fun beginner dive sites?
- Which dive operator do you recommend and why?
- Is there a wide variety of diving like wall, shallow and reef?
- What protection do I need (a wetsuit or simply a swim suit)?
About Dive Destinations
1. Variety of dive sites (what will I see?)
There are over two dozen prime diving sites on the island, giving the diver
an opportunity to see an abundance of coral and fish life. See Dive Sites
Coral and Sealife. The coral and fish species listed are only examples of
the diversity of the sealife found underwater in Aruba.
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2. Water temperature and visibility
Water temperature ranges from about 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Visibility
is usually very good in Aruba. Visibility up to 100 feet is not unusual in
Aruba.
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3. Safety of dive destination (recompression chamber? safety codes?)
Aruba does not have its own recompression chamber. However, access to the
recompression chamber in Curacao and transportation via helicopter is possible
in cases of emergency.
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4. Resorts and amenities (what activities to enjoy after the dive?)
There are numerous activities to complement the dive vacation -- various other
watersports (kayaking, windsurfing, parasailing, waterskiing, fishing, etc.),
overland adventures (hiking, horseback riding, rockclimbing, etc.), golf,
shopping, and nightlife (shows, casinos, clubs, etc.). Many of these activities
can be set up right at the resort. Offices of watersports operators are stationed
right on Palm Beach; activity desk staff at the resorts can also put the guest
in contact with tour operators for other activities.
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5. Dive operators (who offers what and at what price?)
There are about a half dozen dive operators functioning on Aruba. See Dive
Operators.
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6. Ecology (what is the destination doing to ensure minimal environmental
impact? What precautions are being taken to ensure protection of the underwater
environment?)
About two years ago, an island-wide system of mooring buoys was established.
Over two dozen were placed in different areas, primarily among the most popular
dive sites, in order to protect the site from damage from anchoring. Since
1996, other mooring buoys were placed and the effort continues today. The
main goal, however, remains the establishment of a marine management system,
the framework for which has already been designed. Aruba hopes to fully implementation
of this plan over the next few years.
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About the Diving
1. How close are the dive sites?
All the dive sites are easily accessible. Many areas allow for shore dives.
Boat dive trips are only short trips from the coast.
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2. Are there alternative dive sites if the weather should change
The stable weather pattern on Aruba almost guarantees good diving. However,
there are times, as a result of changes in the tide or storms nearby, where
visibility is adversely affected. But if, for example, the west side of
the island is suffering from poor visibility, the south side usually remains
generally unaffected and offers another option.
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3. My partner just learned to dive, are there fun beginner dive sites?
Aruba does have a number of dive sites that are shallow. For example, the
Pedernalis, near the high rise hotel strip, is a dive site of 40 feet deep,
offering security while still providing an interesting dive. The Antilla,
Aruba most popular wreck dive site, is only 60 feet deep, and on days of
good visibility the site can be enjoyed while snorkeling. For beginners,
there are also very good shore dives, with calm entrances and exits, at
Boa Baranca and Mangel Halto.
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4. Which dive operator do you recommend and why?
All of the dive operators are well qualified in Aruba, but if you're looking
for the best in diversity of services that would have to be the largest
diver operator on the island - Red Sail Sports.
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5. Is there a wide variety of diving like wall, shallow and reef?
Aruba is most well known as a wreck diving destination but the island also
offers a variety of different dives, not wall dives but there are shallow,
reef and also excellent drift dives.
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6. What protection do I need (a wetsuit or simply a swim suit)?
Aruban waters are generally warm. It is a matter of preference as to what
the diver would want to do. In general, however, a thin (1.5 mm) dive suit
is sufficient protection.
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