Aruba

[georoc01]

Wrapping a trip to Aruba right now. Diving has been surprisingly good. Lots of marine life on the sites. Saw two octopus swimming in the open, turtles, and large fish. Lionfish population really varied. Its open season with many divers carrying spears. Quality of the sites seems to be better the further south we went, which also increased the number of lionfish to kills. No shore diving, it was all from the boats, with boat rides between 10 and 40 minutes depending on the site. Dove 3 wrecks, the Antilla, Jane C, and Airplanes. Water was very warm, 81-85 degrees. Current was minimal and vis was good. Our dive op was SE-Aruba Fly n Dive who has a 38' Newton with floating dock. They are located just past the airport on the way to town.


The island's big plus is the topside activities, that kept us occupied during the afternoons/evenings. Lots of places along the beach. Its split into 3 main areas, the Hi Rise hotsl/casinos (think Vegas on the beach), the Lo Rise hotels, which is little more like what you see on other islands along the beach, and then downtown, which is more of a harbor area where the cruise ships dock.
Overall we had a good time and would do it again.

 

[Mattom]

Nice to hear. Planning a trip there in FEB. Would you recommend the dive op? I was going to go with JADS but haven't gotten a response to my email in over four days.

 

[Aruba Bobs]

Glad you had a great trip. Aruba is a awesome Island to visit.
Mattom, I would shoot Jads another e-mail because I really like that company. They will do you a great job. If you wait certain days when they are diving in the south, that is the best diving on Aruba. That's the coral gardens. Have a good one. Aruba Bob

 

[drbill]

I dove with Clive when I was there in June (Dive Aruba). I thought he ran a good operation. JADS was another choice I considered.

 

[Mattom]

I dove with Clive when I was there in June (Dive Aruba). I thought he ran a good operation. JADS was another choice I considered.

Thanks drbill. I'm going to check with Clive as it's been well over 2 weeks with numerous emails and JADS hasn't bothered to respond. We will have two new teenage divers this trip so, not sure if I would want to use an op who just don't care enough to respond to info/reservation requests.

Haven't been to Catalina since 05. Need to make it back. Hard to convince the group to don 5mil after so much warm water diving.

 

[CptTightPants21]

Thanks drbill. I'm going to check with Clive as it's been well over 2 weeks with numerous emails and JADS hasn't bothered to respond. We will have two new teenage divers this trip so, not sure if I would want to use an op who just don't care enough to respond to info/reservation requests.

Haven't been to Catalina since 05. Need to make it back. Hard to convince the group to don 5mil after so much warm water diving.

Dive with Clive is excellent.

I used Diversity for most of my diving because they were right next to the Marriott and went to the wrecks on the West Side of the island more than Clive who is on the South side.

 

[georoc01]

Nice to hear. Planning a trip there in FEB. Would you recommend the dive op? I was going to go with JADS but haven't gotten a response to my email in over four days.

Yes I would, did a great job at a fair price. I don't have experience with other operators, but this one treated us well.