Diving in Aruba

[ievayn]

My wife and I will be in Aruba on Regal Princess on Sunday March 4,2007. I have a hard time to find a diving shop that open on Sunday. It seems strange to me that no one is willing to take us diving on Sunday. I also would like to know what else we can do in Aruba except sitting on the beach. Both of us do not like to be on the beach for more than a couple of hours. We hope that Arubalisa will help us.

[Arubalisa]

Check out the dive shops listed here.

I know for a fact that Unique was going out on the Sunday of New Year's Eve. We were sitting on the beach at De Palm Pier joking about how many times their dive boat had come in and out that day...seemed surely like at least a dozen.

There are some tour providers on the island (I cannot name any specific ones in the dive industry, but other excursions) who avoid cruise ship passengers because of their ties to the cruislines themselves. I might try being vague about where you are staying if you are asked.

We used to use Pelican, were not thrilled with them the last year we used them. They have just been bought out by Unique. In September we took our 10 year old on a "Discover scuba" dive with Aruba Watersports http://www.arubawatersportcenter.com/dive/pricelist_dive.htm. Really easy dive on the Pedernales with the instructor overseeing our dd and dh, myself and one other gentleman. (so only 5 people total) Pedernales is probably not what you are looking for but if you did not mind a rubber inflatable (dh's only complaint) maybe try contacting them to see what you can plan.

BTW, if your cruise is stopping in Curacao, I have not had time yet to write up anything, but dh and I did some really laid back shore diving there on December 30 at Playa PortoMari http://www.playaportomari.com/. Cheap too!!! Like $23 for a tank and all equipment...

[ievayn]

Thank you very much. I will try Arubalisa. You a great.

[w&k]

Ievayn-

 

We have been with these two operations twice each, and am going back for a third trip in a few weeks.

 

For Aruba, we dive with Clive at Dive Aruba. He picks up just outside the port gate, and brings you back. Beautiful small boat diving with lots of personal attention! http://www.divearuba.com

 

For Curacao, we dive with Suzy and Mark at The Dive Bus (at the Hut). They are an absolute hoot, and it's a great day at the beach with a restaurant and everything you need right there. http://www.the-dive-bus.com

my review http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=332272

 

Have a great trip!

 

Wendy

 

dive photos http://community.webshots.com/user/wendyandkeith

[bowbiter]

This probably isn't very helpful since I was there on Carnival and I don't remember the name of the dive shop (although Pelican does sound familiar)...but Carnival had a scuba excursion to one of the WWII wrecks. We had a small group and it was a great dive. The DM on the trip timed the dive based on our group's air consumption so we had a fairly long first dive. My friend and I who went diving were just newly certified - only had the certification dives down - but it was a nice easy wreck dive with some penetration of the wreck.

[ievayn]

Thanks everyone for info. Unfortunately Divearuba is closed on Sundays. We will be in Aruba on Regal Princess on March 2, 2007. I wish I can find 4 divers, so I would be able to choose our dives from with a few shops which are willing to work Sunday. Princess Regal offers a diving tour, but I am afraid it might be canceled due to the little interest.