|
The color and texture of Aruba’s undersea world is created in part by the numerous types of
coral species that can be found there. In abundant supply are stony corals such as the brain coral, sheet coral,
finger coral, mountainous star coral and stinging fire coral. Examples of soft coral species or “deep sea
gorgonians”, consists of sea rods, flat sea whips, sea feather plumes, sea fans
and orange sea whips.
Aruba’s waters are home to marine life of all shapes, sizes and colors. The variety of the island’s coral reef
fishes is an example of spectacular range of Aruba’s diversity. Schools of snappers and grunts fish are also common
to Aruba, but most admired for their beauty are fish such as the regal Queen
Angelfish, the equally colorful, but diminutive Damselfish, tenacious in its attempts to guard its home near the
coral colonies as well as the blue-colored Parrotfish, who are particularly friendly to visiting snorkelers at De
Palm Island. More menacing looking creatures include moray eels, with the green moray the most commonly spotted
variety in Aruba.
Divers often seek out the puffer fish, found near reefs or in grassy areas as well as octopus species, including
the Caribbean Two-Spot Octopus, Atlantic Pygmy Octopus and Caribbean Reef Octopus, which can be found among the
coral reefs or burrowing among the rocks, the entrance to their homes littered with shells.
Aruba, the wreck diving capital of the Caribbean, has more than 20 dive sites including over 8 shipwrecks to
explore - ranging in depths of 30-90 feet. Both novice and advanced divers can enjoy the underwater wonders -
starfish, stingrays, tube sponges, and a variety of corals.
The readers of Rodale Scuba Diving named Aruba as the top wreck diving destination in the Caribbean. The island is
also home to the largest wreck in the Caribbean, the Antilla, and a German freighter.
Following is a complete list of dive sites off the coast of Aruba that can be explored with many of the islands
dive operators:
|