1997 Chapbook

Aruba

Just off Venezuela's Caribbean coast, Aruba is not a prime scuba-diving destination, but bring your gear, especially if you have time for a jump to Curaçao or Bonaire for much better diving.... Miles of white sand, glitzy casinos, and beaches cater to windsurfers.... For the best deals on lodging and air, ask your travel agent to look into gamblers' packages.... There are several good boat dives, such as the wreck of the Antilla,a German freighter scuttled at the start of World War II. The South Wall, past San Nicholas near the southern tip of Aruba, is also good.... Expect water temperatures in the low 80s most of the time.... Aruba lies south of the hurricane belt...   Pelican Tours, Aruba Marriott, September 1995, Ric Lloyd, Milford, CT. "Beautiful island; warm, with a breeze to keep you cool. Friendly people, educated, eager to help, nonthreatening. New Marriott is beautiful personal didn't have usual Marriott smoothness, but it will come. Good to great food on the island (a bit expensive). Vis: 35 to 60 ft. The 400 ft. wreck Antilla, in 60' of water, is a worthwhile dive with easy penetration. Pelican Tours is the best of the four outfitters I used." Pelican Watersports, La Cabana, November 1995, Glenn Jones, Medina, OH. "Resort too large; room noisy from conversation of neighbors. Staff and facilities excellent. Good for nondivers. No dive facilities on site. Pelican Watersports - mediocre reefs, little fish life, good wrecks. Dive operator poor. No showers on boat or dock. No wet bucket for camera. Dive boat out of operation twice - excursion boat substituted; exit water by climbing on boat prop. Dives limited to 45 min regardless of depth. I returned with 1800 psi. Dive as one group (16 divers) with divemaster. Boat captain readjusted my equipment without asking. I have 150 dives." Red Sail Sports/ Hyatt Regency, May 1996, David R. Lamb, Salt Lake City, UT. "Dive shop next to hotel, dock in front. Three 1-tank dives daily. 5 tank package $125. Hyatt showing age and not up to usual standards. Wendy's and a Subway an easy walk." Red Sail Sports/Hyatt, June 1996, Ran Davis, Cambridge, MA. "Always 15­20 mph winds, 82°90° Tons of tropicals, corals, and sponges, with most being 25­50'. Dove 7 wrecks, penetrated 5. Best dive was a drift dive over sponge reef and ending up at the Sonesta Airplanes. Came out of airplanes when Atlantis Submarine showed up, cool! vis: 40­65 ft. water: 74­78°." Unique Sports of Aruba/Aruba Palm Beach, July 1995, Cathy McMullen, Lewisville, TX. "As experienced diver it is not challenging. Interesting wrecks, but diving repetitive. South end of island much better, but the operators did not like to go there because of long and rough boat trip; dive staff helpful and safety conscious. Aruba Palm Beach was convenient with friendly staff. " Previous Year's Chapbook Entry Following Year's Chapbook Entry Copyright 1997 by DSDL, Inc.Publishers of Undercurrent. All rights reserved. No portions of this report may be reproduced in any way, including photocopying and electronic data storage, without prior written permission from the publisher. For more information, contact Elephant Socks Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 1658, Sausalito, CA 94966.