Aruba is one of the southernmost islands in the Caribbean, with excellent living conditions for the multitude of nationalities that inhabit the place, added to the fabulous climate that it receives throughout the year. The friendly nature of its residents is one reason many tourists return again and again, but the wonderful water sports opportunities are also a main draw. Sailing and snorkeling are very popular, but for many the opportunity to scuba dive in Aruba is the main factor in revisiting.
Dive sites are numerous, the vast majority located off the south and west coasts in protected areas, offering divers the chance to swim among a wide variety of magnificent marine life. However, without a doubt, what people look forward to more than anything else when diving in Aruba is the guarantee of exploring one of the half dozen shipwrecks that can be found near the island.
There is so much history on the shoreline of the little Caribbean paradise, much of it dating back to World War II. An oil refinery in the area was considered to be of strategic importance at the time so it became a target and this led to a lake tanker named Pedernales becoming the first ship to be torpedoed. The two end sections were saved, but the middle section sank; this attracts a constant flow of people to explore what is known as the Phoenix of Aruba.
Another famous wreck is the Jane Sea, which many Aruba divers have commented bears an eerie resemblance to the bow of the tragic ocean liner The Titanic. The ship was deliberately scuttled after a major engine failure and has become a top diving attraction. The Star Gerran is another ship that has been purposely sent to the bottom of the waters, this one lies in front of the high-rise hotel zone. However, this particular wreck has earned a rather unfortunate label as the Cinderella of all Aruban wrecks, due to her German origins and the fact that she only attracts a fraction of the divers.
There is a very good reason for this, as many tourists are drawn to the largest cargo ship in the entire Caribbean, El Antilla. No Aruba diving adventure feels complete without a visit to this monstrous ship, which is over 400 feet long and another that was intentionally scuttled, this time by its captain, to ensure it never falls into the possession of allied forces. . People travel from all corners of the world to catch a glimpse of this historic ship, which sits about a mile off the northwest coast and is now apparently home to some of the area’s most spectacular marine life.