Aruba - What part of the island?

[DvrRick]

We will be staying on Aruba for ~3 nights (Also going to Bonaire & Curacao) and need some advice on what part of the island would be best. we don't want to stay in the hotels or in the tourist zone. I'm looking for a part of the island close to some good wreck diving and dive shops that will be tranquil. I don't even know where to begin so some basic island info would be great. Thank you!

 

[crlavoie]

We will be staying on Aruba for ~3 nights (Also going to Bonaire & Curacao) and need some advice on what part of the island would be best. we don't want to stay in the hotels or in the tourist zone. I'm looking for a part of the island close to some good wreck diving and dive shops that will be tranquil. I don't even know where to begin so some basic island info would be great. Thank you!

Unfortunately, most if not all of the better dives are around the tourist zone. With only 3 days, you certainly want to hit the Antilla and that's right off the beach near the Marriott (not swimable).

To be honest though, I would strongly recomend against staying anywhere else. Aruba is a very small place and there is nothing else to it outside of the stuff they show you in the brochures. At least nothing you want to see and don't be fooled by the "no crime" BS. It's as seedy as they come.

I've never been to Curacao or Bonaire but I understand the diving in Aruba doesn't even come close. Having been to Aruba twice and knowing what I know, I would skip it and spend the time diving on the other islands.

 

[okiejeff]

The wrecks are up near the high rise hotel zone for the most part. Hyatt, Occidental, etc.

I am not really sure where you would stay that is not in a tourist area.

After seeing the whole island, I would recommend staying in Downtown Oranjestad. The Renaissance is located there and a pier is located across the street that several dive operators and fishing charters use. There are two parts on the Renaissance, one is the marina and the other is oceanside. Either side would be fine by my standards. They are literally across the street from each other. Both have access to Renaissance Island. There are a lot of shops, restaraunts, casinos, and nightclubs within a close walking distance......in addition to the cruise ship pier. The beaches (man-made) are small and located at the oceanside side and Renaissance Island (Hrs 8-7) and another a short walk down the road to near "Fly-n-dive" (sp?)

The next best location with access to all of the above would be the high rise hotel zone. This area had very nice beaches. My 2nd choice.

My last choice would be the low rise hotel zone. Seemed to be a lot less stuff to be entertained by in that area. I am unsure of beaches in this area, but suspect they are probably decent.

 

[Stichus III]

DvrRick,

As far as I know there are no decent hotels outside the hotel area, with the exception of the Renaissance, which is located in Oranjestad. The island is small so there is no need to stay near a dive shop or a particular dive site.

Contrary to what Clravoie wrote, the best diving is NOT near the hotel area. The diving near the hotel area is actually the worst diving around the island. The dive shops at the hotels won’t tell you that, because they would rather take you to the Antilla and the Pedernales, which are just a few minutes away. The Antilla is a big wreck, about 400 feet, but contrary to what the dive shops say, it is not the biggest in the Caribbean. It is a good wreck dive, but is always crowded and the viz is usually not that good. The Pedernales on the other hand, is something you should skip all together.

The diving at the South Coast is much better than around the hotel area. There is a long reef system along the South Coast of the island. One of the best dives at the South Coast is the Jane C Wreck, which is not as large as the Antilla, but always an interesting dive. The Airplanes are also located along the South Coast and are popular, but I don’t think they are make for a very interesting dive.

The best diving in Aruba is at the South Eastern tip of the island, near San Nicolas. Cabes Reef, Baby Beach Reef and Indian Head Reef are all located in this area and are superb dives. Cabes Reef is a very exciting dive and better than anything I’ve seen in Bonaire. There is a dive shop near Baby Beach called Jads that specializes in these dives. Jads comes highly recommended. Google Jads and check out their website for more details.

As for Clravoie implying that there is a lot of crime outside the hotel area: Aruba is not a dangerous island, but there is some crime, which should be expected in any community with a population as large as that of Aruba (probably around 100.000). You’ll be safe outside the hotel area, just don’t do anything stupid i.e. anything you would not do at home.

I hope you decide to do some dives in Aruba. If you dive the Antilla, Pedernales, Star Gerren and the Airplanes, I’m sure that you’ll think that the diving in Curaçao is better. However, if you dive the Jane C, Indian Head, Baby Beach and Cabes Reef, you’ll get pretty bored in Curaçao!

Anyway, I hope you do a lot of diving in both Aruba and Curaçao and have a whole lot of fun.

 

[shakeybrainsurgeon]

Other than the places already mentioned, there is the Tierra del Sol community at the upper tip of the island, around the golf course. Pricey, but not that much more so than the in season high rises which can be pricey too. Advantages of Tierra del Sol: beautiful condos and villas with multiple bedrooms, kitchens, private pools (although a club pool is also there), spa facilities, great restaurant, very safe and out of the way. Disadvanatges: have to take a cab to the dive ops (although many will pick you up), which isn't a big problem; no beach (although Tierra del Sol has privileges to use the main beach, but again, a cab or rental car ride away), and the price. But again, for a family, the cost of a 2 BR place is far cheaper than two hotel rooms and not much more expensive than a single Hyatt room in peak season. And a LOT more comfortable.

I've stayed there and it is gorgeous and friendly, but I like to golf too, and the course is first rate. Golf is a bigger priority for me than the beach, and I like to have a kitchen (which saves on having to buy all meals out, not a minor saving on Aruba). Some of the places on the high rise strip also rent condo/kitchen units, but they look crummy compared to Tierra del Sol.

 

[irie1029]

If you want wrecks any of the dive places near the high rise will get you there. If you want to see pristine reef and amazing fish check out JADS on baby beach ...:: JADS Beach Store Aruba ::... . It was every bit as good as Curacao.

They are on Baby beach which is opposite end of island from high rise. Staying at the renn as described in previous posts above will get you some shorediving from their private island there is a dive shop on island. And at renn JADS will pick you up for a 10 minute drive to baby beach and their shop which is very relaxed.

If you go to baby beach check out Charlies for lunch which is on the way. Enjoy

 

[bartzunga]

Unfortunately, most if not all of the better dives are around the tourist zone. With only 3 days, you certainly want to hit the Antilla and that's right off the beach near the Marriott (not swimable).

To be honest though, I would strongly recomend against staying anywhere else. Aruba is a very small place and there is nothing else to it outside of the stuff they show you in the brochures. At least nothing you want to see and don't be fooled by the "no crime" BS. It's as seedy as they come.

I've never been to Curacao or Bonaire but I understand the diving in Aruba doesn't even come close. Having been to Aruba twice and knowing what I know, I would skip it and spend the time diving on the other islands.

As stated don't do anything you wouldn't do at home. Don't leave valuebles in plain sight in the car.
If you are into wrecks, Aruba was rated a year ago the best wreck destination in the caribbean.

If you want reefs, Aruba has plenty of that aswell.

The reefs that JADS dives are in better shape because it is not commecialized like the other reefs on the other side of the island. Jads is the only shop that dives those sites.

 

[leadweight]

I am actually in Aruba right now, its out last day. The reefs are nice past the airport with coral in unusually good shape. Lots of small fish but few big ones. Big green moray eels are common. Vis near the big wrecks is not so good and there are a lot of divers. We used two different dive shops and found both lacking. Short dives, but lots of time wasted at the dock. Dive guides who's number one priority was that the guide had a good time. If the customers liked it, that was incidental. Other divers we spoke to had a similar experience. Food here is hideously expensive.

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

I have to disagree with crlavoie. I have been to Aruba 4times to dive and to Bonaire once.
I won't be rushing back to Bonaire anytime soon, I found the diving there very boring.Most of the wreck dives in Aruba are located up by the high rise resort area. The better reef dives are located down at the south/east end. We always stay at the high rise area. I always use Native Divers, but Clive from Divearuba also get great reviews here

 

[resnick]

The better reef dives are located down at the south/east end. We always stay at the high rise area. I always use Native Divers, but Clive from Divearuba also get great reviews here

Going to Aruba next week and planning on diving with Native Divers. Do they make it out to the south/east end?

I'm staying in a villa north of the high rise area; I'll report back on how it goes.