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Grab your diving equipment (if you are here on budget travel or in Dutch last minute reizen, you might have to rent some) and make this Caribbean travel a scuba diving experience you'll never forget
 Aruba has so many more perfect spots for both snorkeling and scuba diving. Each one is unique in its way. Harbor Reef Located off Oranjestad’s coast you will find coral and plants. The wreck of a pilot boat, colorful fish, barracuda’s and moray eels will keep you on your toes. Sponge Reef The name says all. An incredible array of colorful sponges near the sunken airplanes. Baskets in hues from yellow to purple, elephant ears, vases, tubes and coral, it’s all there.  Malmok Reef This reef is located south of the Antilla wreck. Stingrays, lobsters and huge colored sponges, barracuda’s and a lot of fish. In 1992 a fuel Barge, the Debbie 2 was sunk here. Renaissance Island Two sunken airplanes that were supposed drug runners form a man made reef. The aircrafts are intact. Crabs, octopi and eels guard the seats in the cockpit where many divers take a seat. Snorkelers can easily go to the only 15 feet deep sunken Beachcraft. The Corvair on the other hand is 40 feet deep, so you need extended lungs or diving equipment. Snorkelers will enjoy the wreck of the sunken barge that attracts swarms of colorful fish at only 12 feet beneath the surface just a little farther from shore .  Barcadera Reef This reef is very unique. Just a few miles away from Oranjestad it can accommodate divers and snorkelers. Depth is between 20 and 90 feet and home to many types of coral and a lot of bright colored fish. Jane Sea Wreck The former Venezuelan cement freighter was caught carrying another kind of powdery substance. Maybe they wanted some snow on this sunny island. It was sunk to form a man made reef. Many types of sponges and coral are the result. Be aware of stinging fire coral, watch out for moray eels, barracuda’s. Don’t disturb the lobsters and the gorgonians and please watch your head when exploring the wreck. De Palm Island The most commercialized part of Aruba is excellent for snorkelers who can spot sleeping nurse sharks and see plenty of colorful fish. Depths start at only 4 feet and drops to 120 feet relatively quickly. This spot can be reached by (speed) boat for divers. Keep an eye on the barracuda’s. Mike’s Reef Considered one of Aruba’s best reef dive spots and located close to De Palm Island.Gorgonians in huge clusters, Flower coral, Star coral, Brain coral and brightly colored Sponges makes this a paradise for Macro photographers. Excellent for extreme close ups. Isla de Oro Reef Located near the old fishing village of Savaneta, the shore is lined with Mangroves. The visibility is high due to the often sweeping current. This reef has plenty of ledges, covered with coral, cave hideaways and goes down to approximately 120 feet. Mangel Halto Reef Off the cost of Mangel Halto Beach the ridges and ledges of this to a 110 feet deep plunging reef accommodates a wide variety of marine life in about every color, size and shape. In the early spring you can spot Sea Turtles on their way to the lay their eggs on some nearby beach.  Commandeurs Reef Staring at about 40 feet and going down to a about 90 feet, you will find a variety of marine life such as Groupers, Angelfish, groupers and some Barracudas which are attracted by the coral. Tips for Divers, Snorkelers and Snuba divers as well as for swimmers. Keep a few things in mind while going down the surface. Be aware of currents and stay watchful of your location. Getting too far off course can make returning difficult Always wear a (divers) watch to keep track of time. It’s easy to forget the time when you are underwater. Never stand or walk on a reef, and tread carefully in shallow water around reefs. (Shuffle your feet to avoid stingrays, and watch out for sea urchins, spines.)barracudas especially, seem to be drawn to shiny objects that look like their natural prey, small silver fish Don't feed the fish or touch the animals or coral. Their protective layers can be stripped away Avoid jellyfish, fire coral, and other stinging creaturesNever reach into holes or crevices; animals, especially moray eels, like to make their homes in them. A moray eel can easily bite of a finger. Shark are seldom spotted, and sharks that are spotted are usually passive. If you do see a shark, stay calm, and if necessary, move slowly out of the water Never remove anything from dive sites and reefs; it is illegal to do so. Remember: “BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY”
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