ABC Islands
Explore the ABC IslandsThe ABC Islands, of the Leeward Antilles, are made up of three islands; Aruba
The Netherlands Antilles, also often referred to as the Dutch Antilles, are a group of islands which lie in the Caribbean Sea. There are six islands which make up the Dutch Caribbean and they are split into two groups; the SSS Islands and the ABC Islands. The SSS Islands, of the Leeward Islands, are St Eustatius, Saba and St Maarten. The ABC Islands, of the Leeward Antilles, are Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao. There are many dive centres and dive resorts spread over numerous cities and towns on these islands which offer both dive courses and guide divers to the best dive sites of each island. There are also liveaboards which visit this region, mainly Saba and St Maarten. Scuba diving in the Netherlands Antilles ensures many opportunities to dive into history as there are a large number of shipwrecks on the sea beds here, many of which are accessible to even novice divers. The waters here are protected which has allowed the marine environments to flourish, resulting in densely packed marine environments and the chance to spot something exciting on every dive. There are many underwater adventures to have in the warm, tropical waters here!
The many different marine environments allow for a high abundance of different marine life. What also allows the marine life here to flourish and be in pristine condition is the fact that the waters here have been announced as a Protected Marine Park. The reefs are made up of marine flora such as Hard Corals, Soft Corals, Sea Sponges including Tube Sponges, Brain Corals, Flower Corals and many more. These thriving reefs, the artificial reefs which come in the shape of many wrecks, the Seagrass environments and the many cracks and crevices of the rocky topography hold a plethora of different marine species. The marine fauna attracted to these includes fish such as Angelfish, Groupers, Squirrelfish, Barracuda, Jacks and more. Other species include Moray Eels, the majestic Seahorses, Loggerhead Turtles, Green Sea Turtles, Lobsters, Crabs, Octopus, Stingrays and many more. On the luckiest of days, divers can also spot the graceful Manta Rays, Nurse Sharks, Reef Sharks, Flying Gurnards and Peacock Flounder. Some rare seasonal species spotted here include Humpback Whales and Dolphins.
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: 200
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 27
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 600
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 300
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 25
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 100
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 90
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 3