Aruba Dive Shops

[Rye22]

Looking for a little information in regard to dive shops in Aruba.

We're heading there next winter for my wedding and I want to plan a dive trip for all those who dive. We'll be staying at the Riu Palace, but we're not concerned about transportation, since most places will pick you up.

I will be a Master Diver by next winter and we will have a mixture of divers, from OW certs right up to DM. In all there should be about 10-12 of us who will be diving.

Not sure if we want to take a charter just for us in order to allow everybody who doesn't dive to snorkel. Will make that call once we find out pricing for that.

But looking to dive some of the better wrecks as well as the reefs. Any recommendations? I've read on trip advisor that Mermaid Divers is to be avoided, while Jads is highly recommended. Since that isn't a dive site, I thought I'd come to the source myself.

Thanks,
Rye

 

[kvp]

Unique Sports of Aruba is right next door to the Riu. They have boats that can handle your entire group. They have charters with other divers on board and also can do private charters.

I have dove with them many times and they are very professional.

Hope you have a great trip.

 

[Rye22]

Any others? I'm looking for some specific knowledge on Mermaid's as well as Jads.

Thanks.

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

I would avoid Mermaid. Every dive agency has pulled their affiliation with them. Do a search, they have a lot of issues.

 

[Jorgy]

I second the recommendation for Unique........

We dove with them in 2007, Unique had just acquired Pelican Water Sports. We stayed at the Holiday Inn and Unique/Pelican had a pier right beside the hotel.

The dive boat was very nice, large deck and easy entry, nice ladder and very professionally run.

Can't recall his name, but the DM was great with our daughter, at the time she was only 11 and recently certified, he really helped her build confidence and improve her technique.

I had prepaid diving to ensure spots on the boat, my son had ear problems towards the end of the trip so he skipped some dives the refunded the money with any issues.

Hope this helps......M

 

[bartzunga]

Since you seem to be an experienced diver I would highly recommend Jads, they have some dive sites that no other operator goes to(for the advanced/experienced divers). But they also go to sites that are ideal for both experienced and new divers.
They offer private charters aswell.

For more info and contact information you can go to their website JADS Dive Center Aruba - Home

 

[Quaff King]

Greetings Rye 22,
Just got back from Aruba last night. I stayed at the Westin which is right next door to the Riu.
The Riu is a bangin nice Hotel. You definitely picked a great location.
There are a lot of dive shops in that stretch of High Rise Hotels. I chose not to go with any of them.
I can't tell you if they are good or not. Based on my previous experience I'm not a big fan of High Rise Dive Shops. I'm paranoid about cattle boat diving with mixed skill sets on the same boat.
Based on some recommendations on this board we chose to dive with Jads. I'm very glad we did.
This is a no-nonsense professionally run company. The owner (JP) works the boats and the shop.
He has a brand new boat that would probably handle your group. He has a second boat if needed.
Jads works out of a couple locations. One location is Baby Beach which is a good 35 minute ride from your Hotel. The second location is the Marina behind the airport which is about 15-2o minute van ride. Baby Beach is an excellent Snorkel location so some of your group could go right off the beach while the divers went out.
JADS caters more toward experienced divers. If you pass muster on your first dive they will take you to some very good dive sites. We were doing consistent 50 minute dives and many of them were live boat dives. Rudolph the dive master is excellent. He helps when needed and gives you plenty of freedom. Walter was also an excellent Dive Master and a great boat mate.
If I go back to Aruba I will dive with them again no questions asked. If you have any other questions pm me and I will be happy to answer them for you.
Good luck with your planning. Try the Screaming Eagle restaurant for dinner it is five star.
Cheers.
Quaff King

 

[jkfuller]

Has anyone dove with Dive Aruba or Searuba Fly n Dive? My wife and I are going to Aruba in April, we're new to diving and are looking for a dive shop to use.

 

[kvp]

I have dove with Fly n Dive. They are a very good operation. They are closer to the more advanced dives on the south coast and have to go further to the west coast dive sites, which are great for new divers. I mentioned Unique Sports of Aruba in an earlier post and I think that they would be a good choice for you. You can't go wrong with Fly n Dive either.

 

[Mountain Dog]

Has anyone dove with Dive Aruba or Searuba Fly n Dive? My wife and I are going to Aruba in April, we're new to diving and are looking for a dive shop to use.

LadyDog and I have used Fly 'n Dive as well. Top notch folks. If you go with them, you will be happy.

Mountain Dog