Diving and snorkeling adventures in Aruba are sure to reveal natural treasures

Aruba is home to an entire underwater world that offers diving and snorkeling experiences unlike any other. Duck your head under the incredibly blue tropical waters and be dazzled with sights beyond compare. Bright yellow fish darting between flame-colored coral, and fragile sea anemones dancing in the current are just some of the wonders under the waves.

With so much to explore, it's no wonder that Aruba is home to some of the world's most popular snorkeling and scuba diving destinations. Before you dive in, take a few minutes to learn about scuba diving and snorkeling in Aruba's amazing waters. One of the most-talked about aspects of Aruba's waters is that visibility ranges from 60 feet to 100 feet, giving snorkelers and divers plenty to look at below the waves.

Preparatory Information

The most important thing to remember is that although often written and talked about together, snorkeling and diving are two very different activities. Snorkelers and divers can actually visit and enjoy many of the same spots, but certain locations are not suitable for both snorkeling and diving. One of the most fundamental differences between snorkeling and diving is your location in the water. Snorkelers float at the water's surface and breathe through a snorkel, while divers brave the ocean's depths with oxygen tanks on their backs. Anyone can learn to snorkel quickly, but to dive, you'll need training and a license.

To get started snorkeling in Aruba's blue waters, grab a friend and ask your resort - many lend or rent snorkels and fins to their guests. Even if you're not staying in a resort, getting ready to go snorkeling in Aruba can be easy at nearby shops. Wear sunblock and a Lycra® dive skin or long-sleeved shirt for the best protection; you'll be near the surface of the water and the sun will be overhead! Many vacationers don't realize that they can get severe sunburn because the water has a cooling effect, but it also magnifies the intensity of the sun's rays. The long sleeves and dive suit will also help to protect you from accidental scrapes on underwater rocks. It's easiest to stay safe by swimming with your arms at your sides. To get closer to something, just hold your breath and kick. You'll have to surface and clear out your snorkel tube before you can continue. Aruba's snorkelers should keep in mind that waves are sometimes choppy in certain locations, but calm, shallow snorkeling is available near Malmok Beach and Boca Catalina.

Unlike snorkelers, divers need some additional preparation to get into the water by becoming certified before they can dive. Many resorts in Aruba offer a Resort Certification Scuba Diving Course. Also, local dive shops in your hometown can help prepare you before you leave, and many resorts have even faster one-day courses that allow you to go out with an expert guide. Once the certification is taken care of and you have your"C" card, you can proceed with diving, which is actually easier on your body than snorkeling - though it certainly requires more equipment. Divers will need Open Water Certification to explore all of Aruba's sights. When you dive a little deeper, the water becomes a little cooler (a constant 80-degrees), and you'll appreciate the warmth a suit provides.

SNUBA

Although the word"SNUBA" initially sounds and looks strange, vacationers to Aruba may grow accustomed to it. This variant of Snorkeling and Scuba is popular on the island.

A SNUBA dive involves air tanks that float on rafts and are attached to several 20-foot long air hoses that provide oxygen to the swimmers below. With a SUNBA instructor at your side, you can travel down to the fullest extent of your air hose, and explore the coral reefs. SNUBA is safe for children as young as 8-years old.

Sites with Sights

Aruba is home to plenty of exotic underwater sights, from shipwrecks to coral reefs. The sights are made even more amazing by the incredible visibility of the water around Aruba's edge.

Along the northern coast of Aruba you'll find two of the island's famous sunken treasures. One is the California wreck, and the other is the Arashi Reef. Both have something special for visitors.

The California, a wooden passenger ship traveling from Liverpool to Central America, ran aground nearly 100 years ago. Though it is sometimes said that the California was the only boat to have heard the Titanic's distress signal, this is not true - that ship was the Californian. This sunken ship is covered in sponges, coral, and anemones; fish dart around and between the currents. Aruba divers beware: Due to strong currents and choppy seas, this site is strictly for advanced divers.

Arashi Reef was formed when a Lockheed Lodestar landed permanently on the silt-covered bottom of Arashi Bay. It sits as though ready to take off while schools of brightly-colored reef fish swarm about it. This site is ideal for novice divers because the plane is only about 35 feet to 40 feet under the waves. It also features a ledge and a drop covered in sea fans and sponges.

Of course, you'll find plenty more options like this all around Aruba. Many are popular among visiting snorkelers and divers and each has something unique to share.

• Antilla wreck: A German freighter scuttled in 1941 when threatened by Allied forces, this wide-open ship allows divers to easily swim through it. One of the drawbacks is its popularity; lines sometimes form for photo opportunities. Nonetheless, you'll see a variety of sea life including octopi and eels.

• Malmok Reef: This reef is located just south of the Antilla. Lobsters and stingrays make great photos, while huge and brightly colored sponges are also nice to see. A 1992-sunk fuel barge called the Debbie II attracts fish and barracuda.

• Pedernales: This site contains all that is left of an American oil tanker torpedoed by a German submarine in 1942; much of the ship was hauled back to the U.S. for parts. However, cabins, washbasins, and other usually out-of-the-way sights are easy to see. Unusual sea life including squirrelfish and spotted eagle rays can often be seen, as well. This site is a favorite of novice divers and snorkelers at only 20 feet to 30 feet below.

• Harbor Reef: This reef is located off the coast of Oranjestad and abounds with plants and coral. Divers will find the pilot boat wreck and colorful fish nearby. A barracuda and a pair of green moray eels seem intent on keeping divers on their toes.

• Renaissance Island: Two sunken airplanes add a little mystery to this site because both are unclaimed drug runners and form an artificial reef. Both planes are intact and divers can sit in the cockpit - if they can make it past the eels, octopi, and crabs who jealously guard the seat. Snorkelers will have an easier time taking in the Beechcraft airplane, which is only 15 feet from the surface. To explore the Convair you'll need to dive to 40 feet. There is also a sunken barge at 12 feet under, just a little farther from shore. It is perfect for snorkelers who want to view colorful swarms of fish.

• Sponge Reef: You'll find this reef - and its incredible array of colorful sponges - near the sunken airplanes of Renaissance Island. Take in the sights of elephant ears, tubes, vases, and baskets in hues from yellow to purple. Coral is also found in this area.

• Barcadera Reef: Only a few miles from Oranjestad, this reef is unique because of its ability to accommodate both divers and snorkelers. It fluctuates between depths of 20 feet and 90 feet and is home to many types of coral, though there are plenty of brightly-colored fish as well.

• Jane Sea wreck: Sunk to form an artificial reef, this former Venezuelan cement freighter was caught carrying cocaine and is now encrusted in many different types of coral and sponges. A few safety warnings: Watch out for the stinging fire coral; keep an eye out for moray eels, barracuda, lobsters, tropicals, and gorgonians; and watch your head on low-lying doorways at the radio room and mess hall.

• De Palm Island: Although this is probably one of the most commercialized areas of Aruba, snorkelers can see plenty of colorful fish and even sleeping nurse sharks here. Water depths start at only 4 feet but drop off to 120 feet relatively quickly. Divers will likely reach this spot by boat, and may need to keep an eye out for barracuda.

• Mike's Reef: Close to De Palm Island, this is considered one of Aruba's best reef dives. Here, huge clusters of gorgonians, brain coral, flower coral, and star coral compose most of the environment, though brightly-colored sponges have also grabbed some space. It is especially popular with underwater macro photographers, who specialize in close-up and extreme close-up photos.

• Mangel Halto Reef: Off the coast of none other than Mangel Halto Beach, this reef has ledges and ridges that plunge to depths of 110 feet. You'll find plenty of marine life of just about every size, shape, and color. Sea turtles also pass by in early spring on their way to nearby beaches to lay eggs.

• Isla de Oro Reef: Near the old fishing village of Savaneta, not far from a shore lined with mangroves, this reef is most often swept by a current, keeping visibility high. At its deepest, the reef reaches 120 feet, and you'll find plenty of coral-covered ledges and cave hideaways.

• Commandeurs Reef: This sloping reef begins at about 40 feet and reaches depths of about 90 feet. The coral here attracts a lot of marine life, including snappers, groupers, and angelfish. Also keep an eye out for the occasional runner or barracuda.

Costs

The cost of visiting these coral reefs is not always small. The following are average costs per person, in U.S. dollars. Renting snorkel equipment may be free at resorts or can run up to approximately $20. Snorkel trips range from $20-$35 for a half day, and Aruba snorkeling cruises may be available with drinks and snacks included. Scuba divers can expect to pay $30 for a one-tank dive or about $45 for a two-tank dive. Nighttime dives cost approximately $35. Resort scuba courses, if not included, are usually about $70 for beginners. To get PADI certified, expect a course to cost closer to $300.

Tips

Both snorkelers and divers need to keep a few things in mind while visiting the creatures under the ocean waves.

• Be aware of currents and stay watchful of your location. Getting too far off course can make returning difficult.

• Wear a watch so you don't lose track of time - it's easy to do underwater.

• Don't feed the fish or touch the animals or coral. Their protective layers can be stripped away.

• 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.)

• Never wear jewelry. Caribbean fish, barracudas especially, seem to be drawn to shiny objects that look like their natural prey, small silver fish.

• Avoid jellyfish, fire coral, and other stinging creatures.

• Never reach into holes or crevices; animals - especially moray eels - like to make their homes in them.

• Shark spottings are rare, 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.

Aruba has plenty of beautiful sights for both snorkelers and divers, but"better than safe than sorry" is a wise clich� above and below the water.