Instant Reader Report
on Mermaid Divers / Renaissance Beach Resort & Casino in
Aruba / [N/A] on
2002/08
by
Barry S. Yoss , NY, USA
Report Number 020823142354125

 Grand Cayman; Cozumel; Hawaii 

Dive Conditions

100 feet (most dives were 50-90 feet)  

No camera bucket on board.
Divemasters did point out critters to photographers.
Interesting wrecks, especially Antilla and airplane.  

Overall Rating

Hotel used to be the Sonesta Beach Hotel until bought by Marriott in June,
2002. Well maintained, comfortable rooms. Small terraces. We had room
overlooking the pool, with afternoon sun, convenient for drying dive gear.
Downtown location across from marina, convenient for shopping for
non-divers. Two casinos within 3 blocks.. Many excellent restaurants
nearby. Inexpensive taxi ride to Palm beach for other dining choices.
Three pools available between hotel Marina Tower and Suite (timeshare)
buildings nearby. Beach available at Suite building and larger beach on
private island reached by complimentary shuttle boat (10 minutes one
way.)

Small dive operation. Boat moored across from Hotel (very convenient.)
Office at Manchebo Beach Hotel. Free pick at hotels. Dive boat is 38 foot
Mermaid II, equipped with DAN oxygen, radios, cell phones, and marine
head. We had 8-16 divers per day. Students were segregated from certified
divers. Dive packages begin with three dives and average out to $25/dive
with tank and wt. belt. Other equipment available for rental. Boat captain
(Tito) very helpful with equipment, espec. for my buddy with recent back
surgery. Divemasters were safety conscious, and made an effort to find
critters. Green morays seen on almost all dives. Reasonable numbers of
typical caribbean reef fish. Antilla wreck was excellent with many areas
to swim into and through. Lack of shore diving was a disappointment for
one of our group who gets seasick on dive boats (Bonaire would be a better
choice.)

Aruba is a reasonable choice for a group of mixed divers and non-divers.

 

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