A complete guide to scuba diving in Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao

07.10.2024 - 03:21 / lonelyplanet.com

Oct 5, 2024 • 7 min read

The southern rim of the Caribbean offers the perfect conditions for taking the plunge.

In and around the Dutch-speaking islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao (the ABC Islands), the water temperatures are warm year-round, averaging 85°F (29°C). And since the islands sit south of the hurricane belt, you’ll find less extreme weather than in alternative islands to the east and north.

All tiny in size – Curaçao is the largest, at just 171 sq miles (443 sq km) – each one features exciting underwater landscapes off their dreamy coastlines and beneath their turquoise waters. 

Whether you’re a lifelong diving aficionado or a total newbie, knowing the differences between each island's unique diving offerings can make or break a trip. 

So let's dive in.

Best for exploring shipwrecks, then lying out on the beach

The April-through-November window is ideal, thanks to steady water conditions, sunny days and calm winds.

If your vision of scuba diving conjures swimming through shipwrecks, this is your place. Aruba’s southwestern and western shores have more than 10 diveable shipwreck sites. 

Additionally, if lengthy white-sand beaches are your vibe, the A of the ABC islands is for you. After you’ve finished your dives, Aruba – as the most developed of the trio – offers everything from a dozen-plus casinos to an ostrich farm.

Lying off Aruba’s northern coast, the SS Antilla is the largest shipwreck dive in the entire Caribbean. The remains of the 400-ft(134m)-long vessel contains a maze of sea sponges, neon fish and lobsters – not to mention the lurking pelicans above the waterline.

Also off the northwest coast lies the wreck of the SS California. Appropriate for advanced divers due to strong currents, this 100-plus-year-old site is loaded with stunning coral reefs and coral fish. 

For diving at your own pace, Pure Diving Aruba offers free drop-off and pick-up island wide, with no fixed daily schedule. Happy Divers Aruba offers the gamut from free-dive trips to snorkeling adventures. At its headquarters in Noord, you will also find a number of diving courses to try. 

Off the runway at Queen Beatrix International Airport, you can see an Air Aruba YS-11 that was purposely sunk to create an artificial reef. Today, it’s a favorite spot for spotting giant barracuda.

Beyond planes, ships and other man-made marvels, divers and snorkelers will find plenty of natural reefs aplenty, too. Off the island’s southern tip at Punta Basora, a long, narrow reef draws stingrays, eagles, loggerhead turtles and tuna along with divers.

Boat access is vital for most Aruba dives. Geographically, the eastern and northern coasts are for the more advanced, given their general rockiness and stronger currents. Water visibility