© iStock-Ultima_Gaina

Explore Aruba

Aruba offers an exceptional diving experience in the heart of the Caribbean, where crystal-clear waters meet vibrant marine life. Known for its fringing reefs and dramatic underwater walls, the island is a diver's paradise. These natural formations, combined with the numerous shipwrecks scattered around the island, create a unique underwater landscape that is both intriguing and accessible. From accidental wrecks to carefully positioned artificial reefs, the dive sites in Aruba are teeming with life, offering divers the chance to explore bustling coral gardens and encounter a variety of marine species.

Diving in Aruba caters to all levels, with gentle currents and calm waters in the south making it ideal for beginners. Meanwhile, the more adventurous can head north, where stronger currents unveil a treasure trove of dive sites filled with hidden wonders. The island's favorable weather conditions ensure that diving is a year-round activity, with the reefs remaining largely untouched by severe storms. This stability not only protects the marine environment but also guarantees divers a consistently amazing experience.

Beyond the typical dive trip, Aruba's diving scene includes options for shore dives, boat dives, and even liveaboards. This flexibility allows divers to immerse themselves in the island's underwater world at their own pace. Whether you're navigating through the shadows of a shipwreck or swimming alongside schools of colorful fish, diving in Aruba promises a memorable adventure filled with natural beauty and delightful surprises, making it a top choice for divers seeking something extraordinary.

Upcoming Events

Dive Activity

Diving in Aruba

Aruba offers an exhilarating diving experience with its diverse underwater landscapes. The island is renowned for its spectacular wreck dives; the Antilla wreck is a must-see, offering a glimpse into history with its coral-encrusted structure teeming with marine life. For those who prefer shore dives, sites like Mangel Halto provide accessible coral gardens vibrant with colorful fish and macro life.

Night dives in Aruba present a unique spectacle, revealing nocturnal marine behaviors and bioluminescent organisms. While liveaboard diving isn't available due to the proximity of dive sites to the coast, small day boats offer convenient access to expansive reefs and thrilling drift dives, catering to both beginner and experienced divers.

Dive Centers

Aruba Watersafety Institute, Aruba Watersafety Institute, AWASI.

Aruba Watersafety Institute, Aruba Watersafety Institute, AWASI.

Picaron 21-C, 0000 Santa Cruz, Aruba

Dive Sites

Sergiusz K. (#4419025)
Airplanes (Wreck) (★4.3)

Airplanes (Wreck) (★4.3)

A very unique dive, Airplanes is accessible by either boat or shore and boasts not one, but two decommissioned airplanes sunk as artificial reefs. The Convair 240 is a 40 seater aircraft 74 ft long sitting in 80 feet of water (it moved deeper than it originally was after a hurricane).
Scott W. (#4057253)
Antilla (Wreck) (★4.4)

Antilla (Wreck) (★4.4)

The Antilla is the largest shipwreck dive in the Caribbean at 400 feet long. Most of the ship is still intact and divers can explore the porthole, deck fitting, and interior sections. The Antilla is probably the most popular dive site in Aruba.
Mares, Janez Kranjc
Mangel Halto Reef (★4.3)

Mangel Halto Reef (★4.3)

A sloping reef from 15’ down to 110’ good for both snorkeling and scuba diving and a great night dive location. Lots of coral combinations and plenty of marine life. An easy shore dive entry.
Scubapro, Stephen Frink
Star Gerren (★4.4)

Star Gerren (★4.4)

The Star Gerren is a ship of German origin that was abandoned in a harbour in 1996. Because the owner was unknown and the ship deteriorated further, it was decided to sink it in 2000 and use it as an artificial reef.
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic
Barcadera Reef (★4.1)

Barcadera Reef (★4.1)

Barcadera Reef is located in front of the harbour of the same name. The spot is only accessible by boat and is extremely suitable for drift diving.

The best Months to dive in Aruba

Unlike some Carribean islands Aruba has only a slight wet season and no serious monsoon period. The dry season between April and November is the peak time for visitors on the island. The weather is fine and dry, the perfect time to spend the day on the beach or out on a dive boat. Unsurprisingly, this time is quite busy and it is a good idea to book both diving and a place to stay well in advance of visiting. There are a number of dive centers in Aruba but boats are busy as diving is very popular. Diving in Aruba in the wet season from December to March will mean more rain but only a few degrees cooler in-water temperatures. The marine life does not vary with the season due to being made up of mostly local reef residents. The cooler season gives you the best chance of a good deal on dive packages in Aruba and it is easier and less expensive to find somewhere to stay.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Aruba

Diving in Aruba is best known for its shipwrecks and coral reefs, where divers can see a huge number of different fish, crustaceans and even turtles whiling away their days amongst the corals. The macro life is beautiful all over the wrecks and reefs as well as huge groupers which can be found skulking in the overhangs and inside the wrecks.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 200

Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel

Moray Eel
1k Sightings
J
66
F
81
M
96
A
84
M
91
J
82
J
94
A
89
S
108
O
56
N
76
D
92
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle

Green Turtle
814 Sightings
J
70
F
52
M
102
A
56
M
53
J
76
J
90
A
59
S
66
O
38
N
69
D
83

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 27

iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda

Barracuda
271 Sightings
J
18
F
23
M
26
A
8
M
16
J
22
J
19
A
29
S
31
O
22
N
27
D
30
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle
253 Sightings
J
37
F
22
M
21
A
19
M
20
J
26
J
16
A
20
S
22
O
4
N
17
D
29

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 300

Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
Octopus

Octopus
187 Sightings
J
13
F
7
M
7
A
11
M
12
J
25
J
10
A
14
S
25
O
15
N
12
D
36

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 600

iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse

Wrasse
137 Sightings
J
3
F
7
M
26
A
7
M
19
J
11
J
13
A
7
S
4
O
6
N
13
D
21
iStock-ShaneGross
Loggerhead Turtle

Loggerhead Turtle
51 Sightings
J
4
F
0
M
5
A
5
M
2
J
3
J
7
A
7
S
6
O
3
N
2
D
7

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 25

iStock/Juliosanjuan
Eagle Ray

Eagle Ray
49 Sightings
J
9
F
1
M
4
A
3
M
3
J
2
J
5
A
1
S
10
O
3
N
5
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 100

iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish

Parrotfish
838 Sightings
J
57
F
45
M
95
A
54
M
73
J
70
J
74
A
91
S
68
O
53
N
73
D
85

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish

Angelfish
731 Sightings
J
45
F
48
M
83
A
32
M
67
J
69
J
61
A
65
S
71
O
56
N
57
D
77

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 12

iStock/cinoby
Lionfish

Lionfish
661 Sightings
J
47
F
49
M
46
A
35
M
58
J
56
J
63
A
59
S
77
O
45
N
54
D
72

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
Pufferfish

Pufferfish
510 Sightings
J
39
F
28
M
41
A
26
M
51
J
47
J
48
A
29
S
41
O
34
N
60
D
66

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3

Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo
Trumpetfish

Trumpetfish
504 Sightings
J
32
F
29
M
65
A
35
M
39
J
32
J
47
A
37
S
46
O
41
N
58
D
43

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish

Butterfly Fish
458 Sightings
J
37
F
24
M
53
A
33
M
42
J
31
J
48
A
34
S
48
O
25
N
41
D
42

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 80

iStock/Extreme-Photographer
Stingrays

Stingrays
367 Sightings
J
43
F
16
M
30
A
20
M
27
J
39
J
43
A
24
S
37
O
25
N
31
D
32

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 85

iStock-mirecca
Surgeonfish

Surgeonfish
324 Sightings
J
27
F
13
M
30
A
16
M
33
J
34
J
34
A
22
S
32
O
27
N
34
D
22

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 110

iStock-Rainer von Brandis
Snapper

Snapper
295 Sightings
J
21
F
6
M
47
A
17
M
24
J
22
J
17
A
29
S
25
O
26
N
35
D
26

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix
Sweetlips and Grunts

Sweetlips and Grunts
292 Sightings
J
22
F
6
M
54
A
19
M
35
J
25
J
28
A
28
S
17
O
18
N
26
D
14

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 25

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel
Boxfish

Boxfish
290 Sightings
J
30
F
8
M
46
A
11
M
40
J
10
J
25
A
36
S
29
O
16
N
17
D
22

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

iStock-Global_Pics
Soldierfish

Soldierfish
236 Sightings
J
10
F
4
M
49
A
14
M
29
J
18
J
21
A
25
S
27
O
10
N
18
D
11

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 350

Alamy-Andre Seal
Damselfish

Damselfish
236 Sightings
J
13
F
7
M
39
A
5
M
43
J
19
J
24
A
17
S
11
O
20
N
12
D
26

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

iStock-wrangel
Triggerfish

Triggerfish
201 Sightings
J
10
F
8
M
14
A
8
M
19
J
26
J
26
A
21
S
17
O
9
N
23
D
20

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
Grouper/Basslets

Grouper/Basslets
197 Sightings
J
6
F
3
M
33
A
12
M
22
J
17
J
21
A
13
S
19
O
15
N
15
D
21

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Shutterstock-Levent Konuk
Goatfish

Goatfish
190 Sightings
J
15
F
8
M
30
A
4
M
18
J
12
J
19
A
21
S
17
O
22
N
14
D
10

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

iStock-Global_Pics
Squirrelfish

Squirrelfish
175 Sightings
J
8
F
5
M
27
A
5
M
22
J
7
J
15
A
18
S
12
O
9
N
20
D
27

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

iStock-Hoatzinexp
Jackfish

Jackfish
132 Sightings
J
6
F
3
M
19
A
7
M
10
J
10
J
14
A
10
S
20
O
11
N
9
D
13

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 20

iStock-stephankerkhofs
Porcupinefish

Porcupinefish
101 Sightings
J
9
F
2
M
6
A
0
M
14
J
10
J
11
A
3
S
8
O
8
N
14
D
16

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 8

Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl
Bannerfish

Bannerfish
91 Sightings
J
7
F
0
M
8
A
2
M
5
J
14
J
12
A
11
S
6
O
10
N
6
D
10

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 15

Shutterstock-Hans Gert Broeder
Garfish

Garfish
88 Sightings
J
17
F
4
M
10
A
7
M
5
J
10
J
9
A
8
S
3
O
4
N
5
D
6

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.
Scorpionfish

Scorpionfish
85 Sightings
J
5
F
8
M
6
A
2
M
6
J
0
J
26
A
6
S
1
O
6
N
11
D
8

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

iStock-Global_Pics
Spiny Lobster

Spiny Lobster
80 Sightings
J
4
F
1
M
9
A
12
M
14
J
9
J
13
A
4
S
3
O
4
N
3
D
4

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 55

Shutterstock-RLS Photo
Lobster

Lobster
79 Sightings
J
4
F
5
M
1
A
6
M
7
J
7
J
5
A
11
S
7
O
4
N
5
D
17

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 7000

iStock-Michael Zeigler
Crab

Crab
76 Sightings
J
5
F
0
M
6
A
1
M
12
J
8
J
10
A
10
S
8
O
4
N
3
D
9

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 28

Udo Kefrig
Clownfish

Clownfish
68 Sightings
J
3
F
2
M
5
A
10
M
4
J
11
J
8
A
2
S
8
O
4
N
7
D
4

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3400

Shutterstock-Shane Gross
Shrimp

Shrimp
56 Sightings
J
0
F
6
M
1
A
5
M
2
J
11
J
13
A
5
S
2
O
4
N
5
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 30

SSI-Peter-Schinck
Stonefish

Stonefish
53 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
11
A
4
M
6
J
3
J
3
A
5
S
5
O
7
N
8
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 120

AdobeStock-Composer.
Flounder

Flounder
50 Sightings
J
2
F
4
M
9
A
1
M
8
J
5
J
3
A
2
S
3
O
2
N
3
D
8

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 30

Shutterstock-s_a_j
Sand Eel

Sand Eel
39 Sightings
J
4
F
3
M
1
A
4
M
4
J
2
J
2
A
5
S
9
O
1
N
2
D
2

Curated by Interest

Events by Lifestyle Category

Scuba Enthusiasts

Aqualung