Life began in the sea. Today, warm, shallow tropical waters still provide the quintessential environment for life on earth. Aruba has an underwater wilderness so rich in diversity that it must be seen to be believed. Many inshore waters, only three to five feet deep, swirl with dazzling fish of every color and description. Surrounding sands, corals and rocks house an unforgettable community of bizare invertebrate life. If you love nature, this is something you have to see.

Fortunately, little equipment, skill or training is necessary to visit these sunlit wonderlands. Many sites provide easy access and safe conditions for anyone with the desire to become an underwater explorer.

Some of the wonderous creatures you can see when you go snorkeling are parrotfish, angelfish and from time to time octopus, while on another spots you might see a variety of colorful tropical fish such as parrotfish, blue tangs, and schools of chromis. Also several species of corals, including star, brain and willowy sea rods can be found here. But when you go diving a whole other world opens for your eyes. Aruba is famous for the spectacular shipwrecks and interesting coral formations that dominate Aruba’s underwater realm. Most of Aruba’s dive sites lie along the protected western and southern coasts, a short distance from the hotels on Palm Beach.

Aruba’s waters are rich in exotic marine life, including stingrays, moray eels, manta rays, barracudas and yellow tail. A large, shallow sand plateau surrounds Aruba making boat travel the most convenient method of reaching the off-shore reefs. Interesting coral formations are found from shallow water depths of 20 to 100 feet, with little or no current and flat surface conditions. Over twenty more dive sites are shared by the dive operators on the island, and many watersports companys offers a weekly dive boat scheduled to the best of these sites.