Any advice on Aruba in March?

[Paco]

I've never been there and have a stay booked through my LDS at the Aruba Grand.

Any advice for diving and other activities would be appreciated. Thanks. Mike

 

[fins]

I've never been there and have a stay booked through my LDS at the Aruba Grand.

Any advice for diving and other activities would be appreciated. Thanks. Mike

There is quite a bit to do topside in Aruba. The beach is great. There is a very nice golf course. Good sized shopping area in Orangestad. Some great restaurants. El Gaucho downtown for steaks, Italian place (sorry I don't remember the name) near the lighthouse, a couple really nice places at the Hyatt etc. There are also a number of casinos. Maybe try a jeep tour to the windward side of the island, see the natural bridge. And if all else fails there is a movie theater in Orangestad.

 

[atxer]

I was just there in November. Hook up with Clive...Divearuba.com. He has a small boat does 6 packs and hits everything. He lets you do you own thing if thats what you want or he will stay with you. great guy. I did about 10 dives with him. There is also a guy that I hooked up with from red sail diving named Gilbert. Really great guy. Sometimes he goes out diving and will take you to some spots that the boats don't hit.
I recomend renting a jeep or even better get a 4 wheeler and go to the back of the island. It is real easy to get around and you will feel safe anyehre you go on the island. Looking forward to going back real soon. Make sure you do the german ship that one is a must.

 

[crpntr133]

I can say dive aruba is a good outfit. I dove with them on my cruise last year and loved it. There were 4 people on the dive and they said that they will do 8 or less.

Topside, do the jeep or 4 wheeler, or horse back. Our DM told us that the Butterfly Garden, I think that is what it was, was a must see. I know it was really close to the dive shop.

 

[gerardnealon]

I am going down this February for the second time. Last time I dove RedSailSports and have had no problem. Just be careful because sometimes the cruise ships book the place out. If I were you, call ahead and book your dives. Have fun, aruba is great!!

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

Have been to aruba twice and am going again in April. I dive with Romeo from Native Divers. It is just Romeo & his wife. He also only takes a max of 5 divers out at a time.
He is located on the beach in the high rise area by the fishing boat docks. For topside activities, Jollypirates snorkel cruise, ABC jeep tour( all day or half day tour of the far side of the island).
Heard a lot about DiveAruba on this board. Where is he located.

 

[crpntr133]

Straight inland from the Pidernales ship wreck ( east side I think). Can't rememeber any of the hotels that were there but there were several.

Better yet, here is their web page... http://divearuba.com/

 

[mike_s]

I've never been there and have a stay booked through my LDS at the Aruba Grand.

Any advice for diving and other activities would be appreciated. Thanks. Mike

The Aruba Grand is a nice place, but if you are looking for the "happening resort" this isn't it. It's a very quiet resort. It's so quiet that it reminded me of a retirement home!. They aren't as "modern" and fancy as other resorts for example.

They have a plain, but huge rectangler pool. It would be great for swimming laps in.

Next door to it is the Ramanda and the Wyndham, both of which have great resturants.

Onsite at the Aruba Grand is Unique divers. It's located on the property line between the Grand and the Ramada (or Radison, they both sound familiar and I can't remember which it actually is....) I know people who have dove with them and like them. Also people really like Dive Aruba that is mentioned in several other replies to your post. Other choices are Pelican, which I used and liked, and Redsail, which you hear mixed replies on. The big dives there are the Sonesta reefs on the south park of the island and the Antilla, a 400' freighters sunk in 50' of water at the start of WWII by it's German crew. You can easily swim through the cargo holds.

You should rent a 4x4 and go bouncing down the trails on the north side of the island coast. It's great fun. you can't get lost as the island isn't that big. There is a Budget rent-a-car hut across from the Radison next to one of the steak houses. There is a Hertz in the Wyndham (which I was not impressed with) and pretty much most of the rest of the hotels have some sort or car rental in it or near it.

You won't need a car for much though as Taxi's to town are only $10 bucks each way. Taxi from the airport will be $20-$25. Don't take the aiport bus as it's run by DePalm and you have to wait forever to leave and then they stop at EVERY hotel on the way to unload passengers and luggage.

Get out and eat at the many resturants the island has. There are some great ones there. Just don't eat every meal at the hotel/resort like you would on some islands.

check out the message board on http://www.aruba.com/msgbrd and you'll find all kinds of great information.

One last bit of advice. Take plenty of sunscreen. The sun there in the southern Caribbean is "intense" and sunscreen at the hotel "ain't cheap".

email/PM if you have more questions.

-mike

 

[snturner]

I would dive with Clive of Dive Aruba. Nice guy and good prices.

Stay away from Thrifty car rental. Rude service and junk cars. The Driftwood is a nice place to eat. A little pricie but it is great food and service.

Oh and count your change when you buy soemthing, anywhere. Most likely it won't be the correct change.

I think Eagle beach is the best beach.

Have a good time!

 

[snturner]

If you are staying awhile. Go to a supermarket and buy your soda, beer and refreshements there. Bring them back to your hotel refrig. The city bus can get you there for I think $2. That will save you lots of money.