grunzster once bubbled...
The more the better.
I like both, but I'd say wrecks over reefs
Open water, about 40 dives, mostly in the 60 - 70' range (have gone a little deeper on a few) in the nice cold Quarry out in PA, plus a few shore dives. Probably doing AOW soon.
I was thinking about Pelican. The only reason I'm checking these guys out is, as I said, I'm lazy and they're right at my hotel!
The last line of your post, finally I get, but too late in Yodish my reply to type!
With Pelican........ I'm sure you'll be happy.........
Pro dive is a smaller operation. You would most likely get more personal attention. However Pelican has more boats daily. They'll pick you up right outside your hotel & bring you right to the pier. I think Pro Dive boats leave from the harbor downtown. That means you'd get transported by van to the main downtown docks, bit of a PIA as you need to hump the gear accross parking lots. I believe their shop is in Ponton(inland)
Not sure where you are staying. Just about all resorts are within 5 minutes of Palm Beach (Pelican & Red Sail piers) except for the Renasaunce (former Sonesta) which is downtown (near Harbor), that's more like a 15-20min ride.
If you chose Pelican, I'd appreciate it if you would tell them Andrew referred you. Also please give Eugine a swift kick in the butt from me. Hmmm...Evan could use one too. Seriously tho, the staff are all friendly, helpful and professional. Please send my regards to all.
Good luck,
Andrew
ps-------
I've posted responses on several threads regarding Aruba.
Here's a clip from one of them>
"Diving:
The two largest Dive Operators "Red Sail Sports" and "Pelican Adventures" , have the most boats going out. Either one will pick you up at your hotel.
Pelican is a smaller company (Aruba only) and red sail operates on several islands. The Aruba operations are similar in size. They both have two nice dive boats and several catamarans. Their prices are similar.
Personally I prefer Pelican, In my opinion the staff is quite friendly, helpful and accommodating. I have been diving with both. When I lived there I worked at Pelican, so maybe I am slightly bias. Never the less, I am confident that you will be happy with them.
Boats have: fresh water showers, marine toilet, dry storage space, fresh drinking water (Aruba has excellent water), upper sun deck, one has a camera table, rear platform (giant stride entries), ladders, and are comfortable.
The morning two tank dive boats go to the South Coast. This area has the best vis. There are moderate seas at times, and often a moderate current. I don't know your level of experience and training, but this area is best for Advanced Open Water or above. The dives are usually about 90-100ft first dive, then 50-70ft-second dive. I particularly like the "Jane Sea" wreck, Bacadera reef and Skalahein reef.
Water temps are 80-85f. Vis=60-120ft.
The pm 1 tank boats go out at 1pm and 3pm.
1pm-"Pedernalis" wreck. Just 25ft deep, but a fantastic dive. Spiny lobsters, green and spotted moray, octopus + tons of reef fish. This site is wreckage of an oil tanker sunk during WW2. The wreckage was used as target practice by Dutch Marines after the war. So now it is basically piles of blown apart rubble and some unexploded bombs. Great dive for newbies. They'll want to do it several times, I'm sure.
3pm-"Antilla" wreck-55ft max. Aruba's most famous dive site:
The story (keep in mind this is part history & part local legend. I cannot guarantee its accuracy)
The Antilla is the most famous of Aruba's wrecks. This German freighter was in Aruba's waters during WW2. It was suspected of supplying German U-boats. Once Germany invaded Holland, the were considered the enemy by Aruba (Dutch). The ship was near Aruba and was surrounded by Dutch Marines. The captain, anchored off Aruba's North West shore, asked for time for his crew to gather belongings and surrender on shore. During this time, the crew super-heated the boilers. Just prior to leaving the ship, the captain opened valves allowing sea water to enter the ship. When the cool water reached the hot boilers, there was an explosion that virtually ripped the ship in half. The Antilla sank, lying on its port side. The main mast still penetrates the surface, as does a section of the starboard side.
The crew were taken prisoner and sent to Bonaire (a prison camp at the time) where they spent the days drinking rum and hitting on Bonarian women. (this is why so many people from Bonaire have blue eyes )
After the war, these prisoners liked Bonaire so much, they did not want to return to Germany. So a group of them opened the first Caribbean resort in the Area. The buildings--The prison of course. The prison was converted to a resort. That resort is now the "Divi-Flamingo Resort"
The ship itself has become an artificial reef. There are multitudes of reef fish. The blown apart mid-section reveals the boiler sections. The wreck is easily penetrated at this point. The large cargo holds allow lots of room and there is plenty of sunlight. Max depth 55 ft, this is a dive for both beginners and seasoned divers. The ship is on its side. The bottom is almost like a wall dive. Look up and see the colorful sponges and corals encasing the hull with the bright sun shinning overhead. Also sometimes stingrays hang out in the sand 50-100ft away from the wreck. There are several VERY LARGE green moray living there, so be sure to look under things (especially in the blown up section).
Great dive for all. Not too deep, easy navigation around the wreck. More experienced divers may want to explore inside the wreck.
Wednesdays at 10am and Fridays at 3pm is "Malmok" reef-70ft max (sometimes called "blue" reef) This site offers a 150ft water tanker wreck as well as a reef in one dive. Very nice dive for all levels.
Tuesday and Thursday at 3pm-"Arashi" reef(45ft max). Great dive, lots of arrow crabs. Huge green moray, spotted moray. The reef is dominated by soft corals but also contains some very large brain corals. For all levels.
In general, the reefs are much healthier on the south coast. Vis better too. The best reef and vis, unfortunately, is only accessible by shore, and requires a lot of work.
Aruba General ifo:
Power is the North American voltage standard of 110 A.C. (60 cycles), the same as in the United States and Canada Power failures are rare. I suggest a surge protector if you intend to charge camera batteries or vieio equipment.
1 US dollar=1.75 Aruba florin. American $$ accepted anywhere. Sometimes small change will be in florin, but otherwise your change will be US.
Supermarkets have almost anything we have here, prices are similar, some slightly higher.
It is always very windy in Aruba. I mean real windy, like, don't wear a baseball cap windy. Keep that in mind when you pick a spot to lie on the beach. Find somewhere where you won't get sandblasted. The beaches are BEAUTIFUL. White sandy, fringed with palm trees.
If you chose to rent a car, I suggest "Amigo car rental" they have good deals on cars and jeeps(samurai) Real jeeps(wrangler) are available through "economy car rental" but they cost more than the samurai or jimmy.
Busses run every half hour and cost $1.25. Most are full size busses, some are just mini-vans and are easily confused with Taxis.
Food:
There are plenty of nice restaurants ($$), for local quizine try "the Buccaneer), for a fantastic (and huge) steak, try "el Gaucho".
For more moderate prices (under $20pp) :
Iguana Joe's-Downtown. Tapas, fahitas, ribs etc..
Salt & Peppers-opposite the "Allegro" resort-lots of tapas, and international quizine.
The Bangozza Bar & Grille-at the "Mill Resort" nightly specials, complete dinners for $12, Wednesday-all-you-can-eat ribs nite. This place also has the best happy hour 5-7pm. Say Hi to Randall, Rosa and Gloria from Andrew.
Pelican Adventures offers a snorkel cruise and a sunset cruise. Both are 2.5 hours and include snacks and unlimited drinks, it is a lot of fun. Also jet skis, parasailing, windsurfing, water-skiing etc.
Northside jeep tours are fun, but rather than go with the big groups and packed jeeps, try this. Rent your own jeep for the day, get a map. Drive to the California Lighthouse around 8-8:30am. You will see the tourist jeep convoy come through. You can easily follow at a distance, so you dont get lost. Or just use the map and follow the coast line.
If you like to party, try Carlos and Charlies-downtown (especially Fridays). Other fun spots include: Scandals, Mambo Jambo, and the Tattoo party cruise. "
