Aruba Certified Scuba Diving
4.8
LIKELY TO SELL OUT*
Aruba Certified Scuba Diving
By Aruba Watersports Center
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About
Discover the waters of Aruba on this scuba diving excursion designed for PADI-certified divers. Go as deep as 140 feet (42 meters) along with an expert instructor and a small group with a maximum of six people. Spot local marine life like stingrays, moray eels, and yellow-tail snappers. Plus get the chance to explore the famous SS Antilla shipwreck.
Free cancellation • Full refund if cancelled up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time).
Reserve now & pay later • Secure your spot while staying flexible.
Lowest price guarantee • Find a lower price online? Get the difference refunded!
Ages 10-99, max of 4 per group
Duration: 3h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English, Dutch, Spanish
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Highlights
- Explore the waters of Aruba with the help of a guide
- This scuba diving excursion is for PADI-certified divers only
- There’s a maximum of six divers per instructor for a personalized experience
- Scuba gear is available for use, if option is selected
- Local taxes
- Use of scuba gear (if option selected)
What's not included- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities
- Start:
- Aruba Watersports Center, J.E. Irausquin Blvd 81-B, Noord, ArubaLocated between Hilton and Barcelo Resorts on the beach in a big building facing the ocean. Same premises as The Breadbasket & Dazzling Turtle souvenir shop.
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 8936P3- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Evidence of dive certification is required from all divers wishing to participate in a certified dive
- Not recommended for travellers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travellers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travellers should have a strong physical fitness level
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 4 travellers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 8936P3
From
AU$94.43
per adult
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About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- V1650CFjessicaf0 contributions10 minutes ride10 minutes in the air is what you pay for. They claim 30 minutes but that is not even close we got on the boat at 11:55 and the next group of 5 were back ashore at 1235. It was fun; font get me wrong but it's a bit of a scam to tell you 30 minutes when it's not even close with boating time evenWritten 25 March 2025
- jeffreywD1403HG0 contributionsSecond time on this trip. Both were great!Great experience. This was our second time on the same boat and same crew. Everything was excellent. The 2 snorkel spots are perfect. One is a deep water sunken ship and the other is in shallow water just off the beach. Both are very cool and lots to see. The crew is nice and very helpful. Highly recommend.Written 24 March 2025
- Shannog20190 contributionsGreat excursion!The crew was awesome and boat was great! Such a fun day at sea. Lots of fish to see. Definitely worth the price! Would recommendWritten 23 March 2025
- MomOfWillDaBeast0 contributionsGreat snorkeling tripThis was a great trip! The crew of our boat was so much fun. Some of us went back the next day to do parasailing with the same company, which was also excellantWritten 21 March 2025
- K2603JGkatrinap0 contributionsGreat ExperienceLove this smaller group, as we only had 8 people total, including my husband and I. There was plenty of space on the boat to spread out, the staff was very nice & accommodating, and there was plenty of drinks and snacks. I loved the first snorkeling spot with the ship wreck, and we saw a turtle. The second snorkeling spot is just okay.Written 19 March 2025
- Kelli P0 contributionsGreat catamaran/snorkeling tourGreat crew…fun excursion! Drinks were flowing, lite snacks were tasty Catamaran was well maintained I highly recommendWritten 19 March 2025
- Al B0 contributionsFun crew, great adventureBeautiful weather and sites crew was delightful, knowledgeable, courteous funny, very informative and safe. I would definitely recommend this to any others looking for a great day outWritten 18 March 2025
- R430NFks0 contributionsNo handrailsIf you have any difficulty with walking up or down high steep steps without the use of a hand rail this is not for you! They help you up when you get on the boat but no help to get in or out of the water. Not enough seats for everyone either.Written 16 March 2025
- B8235OGstevel0 contributionsGreat fun and great valueFast on and off, lots of water and alcohol drinks included (and chicken salad wraps). Equipment was good. Staff was excellent. Boat is excellent. Highly recommend.Written 14 March 2025
- michelle o0 contributionsThe Neon CrewThe staff was very professional and Wonderful! This excursion was worth the money. We will definitely be back! Absolutely wonderful views snorkeling to be able to see the wreck which was a great piece of history to the reef area the views were spectacular, great for all agesWritten 13 March 2025
- T5717EHdoreenl0 contributionsAmazing day of snorkelingGreat time with the family snorkeling! The crew was amazing. They care about safely and everyone having the best experience possible. Would highly recommend this place!Written 11 March 2025
- alexeP5356OX0 contributionsGreat experience! Great crew!The shipwreck snorkeling experience is very unique even if you have Done many snorkeling excursions before. The crew is very friendly and helpful. The boat is nice and comfortable. Would recommend!Written 8 March 2025
- suerC4885KV0 contributionsGreat time!The captain and crew were so nice and so much fun! Snorkeled over a WW2 sunken ship that was amazing! We saw so many beautiful fish, would definitely book again the next time we come to Aruba!Written 8 March 2025
- rachelhW7842BR0 contributionsNice dayNice trip, maybe not best if it’s your first snorkel experience, but if you’ve gone at least once before you’ll be golden! They take you to a ship wreck, you snorkel about 30-40 mins, then another spot for about an hour. There was free booze and chicken salad wraps. Really nice day and a nice boat!Written 5 March 2025
- karencP6661GT0 contributionsA nice outingSnorkel ant are locations - the Antilles shipwreck and a remote beach. The water was rough so couldn’t see the shipwreck. The beach was like swimming in an aquarium. So many fish in the shallows! The boat was great and the captain and the first mate were really nice. Drinks and wraps were really good. Well worth the price!!Written 4 March 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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4.8
140 reviews
Excellent
127
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5
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Terrible
7
Troy B
1 contribution
Mar 2023 • Couples
Dive Master Allen was full of entertaining personality and brought a welcome sense of humor to the dives. He was very knowledgeable, professional, patient and safe, helping all levels of divers present enjoy their time. We saw many turtles, a moray eel, sting rays, lion fish, and countless other fish on reefs and a huge wreck.
Captain Nelson did a great job piloting and picking up divers safely in some challenging dive spots. I will definitely charter with them again on our next visit. Thanks Guys!
Captain Nelson did a great job piloting and picking up divers safely in some challenging dive spots. I will definitely charter with them again on our next visit. Thanks Guys!
Written 27 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brendon T
12 contributions
Feb 2022
Fantastic dive masters and instructors working here. Our two instructors Orsi and Alan were amazing. It was our first time scuba diving and they made it so easy. They gave the right amount of instructions and helped calm our nerves. We did a dive at the Padernales wreck which was about 25 ft deep. The team was extremely kind and professional. Our boat driver Pascal was hilarious. I would recommend having Alan take photos and video for you. He did a great job and we were able to explore the wreck and fish without having to worry about taking our own photos.
If it is your first time diving I highly recommend doing the discovery class with Aruba Watersports Center. Because of this experience my wife and I are now getting scuba certified.
Can't wait to come back and dive with this team!
If it is your first time diving I highly recommend doing the discovery class with Aruba Watersports Center. Because of this experience my wife and I are now getting scuba certified.
Can't wait to come back and dive with this team!
Written 23 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David D
3 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Absolutely top notch. Equipment is in great condition. Alan Marin is a great instructor. My boys had never been diving. He made them feel comfortable and also made my wife and feel comfortable with them diving. He also takes great photos which you can get for a cheap price. Thank you for a great time Alan!!
Written 18 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Iris K
2 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
We were really excited to go scubadiving on our last day in Aruba. I called ahead and had contact through WhatsApp as well to confirm the dive, and we were supposed to go by boat. In the morning we arrive at the shop and they said they did not know we were coming and nothing was prepared. I explained I had contacted them and confirmed the reservation, but the desk manager Lisa answered it must’ve been someone else on the phone, laughing it off and not apologizing. We were supposed to ‘relax’ because there was somebody who would take us out anyway. She kept making sarcastic jokes (‘sign your life away!’, while handing us our wavers, I get the joke, but not a great way to make you feel safe to go diving with them, especially when you’re already so disorganized..) and she was saying we were ruining her morning with our disappointment.
When I wanted to pay with my Aruban bankcard, there was confusion, because the girl on the phone said there was no local discount, but this desk manager did want to see my personal ID number, so is there local discount or not? In the end she claimed; still no local discount. Instead she said we did have to pay 6% extra on an already very expensive dive, because we were paying with card. I pressed on the point it was an ARUBAN card, meaning in AWG, so eventually indeed I didn’t have to pay for it. A lot of confusion about a great sum of money, know your stuff guys..
When I eventually asked if it was indeed a boat dive, she started laughing and said sarcastically; no you’re just gonna walk into the water from the beach. Apparently this last comment was also a sarcastic joke, but this is when we lost all our trust and decided not to pursue the dive.
When I wanted to get my money back, she didn’t know how and also had no cash. We were not allowed to speak to the manager, but she was. She tried to do some refund in dollars, because awg was not possible, but I don’t see the refund yet on my bank account.
Very disappointing, we were really excited. We’re quite experienced divers, so this is not our first rodeo, but I’ve never been treated like this. Aside from being friendly, it’s important for a dive shop to make customers feel respected and secure, since you’re about to start a potentially risky thing; scuba diving.
A appreciated her apology and promise to change her attitude; here’s hoping Lisa.
When I wanted to pay with my Aruban bankcard, there was confusion, because the girl on the phone said there was no local discount, but this desk manager did want to see my personal ID number, so is there local discount or not? In the end she claimed; still no local discount. Instead she said we did have to pay 6% extra on an already very expensive dive, because we were paying with card. I pressed on the point it was an ARUBAN card, meaning in AWG, so eventually indeed I didn’t have to pay for it. A lot of confusion about a great sum of money, know your stuff guys..
When I eventually asked if it was indeed a boat dive, she started laughing and said sarcastically; no you’re just gonna walk into the water from the beach. Apparently this last comment was also a sarcastic joke, but this is when we lost all our trust and decided not to pursue the dive.
When I wanted to get my money back, she didn’t know how and also had no cash. We were not allowed to speak to the manager, but she was. She tried to do some refund in dollars, because awg was not possible, but I don’t see the refund yet on my bank account.
Very disappointing, we were really excited. We’re quite experienced divers, so this is not our first rodeo, but I’ve never been treated like this. Aside from being friendly, it’s important for a dive shop to make customers feel respected and secure, since you’re about to start a potentially risky thing; scuba diving.
A appreciated her apology and promise to change her attitude; here’s hoping Lisa.
Written 14 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travelbee1990
Hamburg, Germany33 contributions
Mar 2022
Worst Diving experience I had so far. My girlfriend did a discover suba dive where 1 guide was responsible for 5 people, of course it did not work. The woman at the reception is extremely unfriendly and rude right from the beginning.
However, the worst of this PADI 5-Star dive centre (no idea how they even got certified) is the completey disrespect for any underwater life and any rule you get teached when doing you certification.
On one dive a guide pulled a handicapped one-armed turtle out of a hole to show to the tourists, just to see the scared animal taking off. On another dive around the Antilla Wreck (18m) the guide just went spearfishing and disappeared put of view. Later he found a huge lobster and catched (!!!) it and stowed it under his BCD "for dinner".
What the F***, I pay these guys to show me this stuff and you just catch and remove it from the reef for your dinner? On the way back they just grumped abput the recurring Padi trainings and how boring and useless this would be.
By the way, we lost a massive plastic buoy on our way which was not towed correctly. But instead of just catching it back, they let it "flow to Colombia".
So they don't give anyway about the animals nor the reef they make their living from nor polluting the ocean with their plastic scraps.
Well... better take any other dive centre for your Aruba dive, I don't think it can get much worse.
However, the worst of this PADI 5-Star dive centre (no idea how they even got certified) is the completey disrespect for any underwater life and any rule you get teached when doing you certification.
On one dive a guide pulled a handicapped one-armed turtle out of a hole to show to the tourists, just to see the scared animal taking off. On another dive around the Antilla Wreck (18m) the guide just went spearfishing and disappeared put of view. Later he found a huge lobster and catched (!!!) it and stowed it under his BCD "for dinner".
What the F***, I pay these guys to show me this stuff and you just catch and remove it from the reef for your dinner? On the way back they just grumped abput the recurring Padi trainings and how boring and useless this would be.
By the way, we lost a massive plastic buoy on our way which was not towed correctly. But instead of just catching it back, they let it "flow to Colombia".
So they don't give anyway about the animals nor the reef they make their living from nor polluting the ocean with their plastic scraps.
Well... better take any other dive centre for your Aruba dive, I don't think it can get much worse.
Written 13 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jim b
Chicago, IL14 contributions
Feb 2024 • Solo
Terrible organization-avoid at all costs. I purchased a confirmed dive, they took my money then when I showed up at 8:30 a.m. on 2/3/24 place was deserted. Finally somebody at the adjacent restaurant told me “they do this all the time and probably are not going to show up”. Another person showed up and was livid, same thing. Too late to schedule with another group, day was shot.
Written 3 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gypsystarrs
Roswell, NM49 contributions
Feb 2023
We had such a great time! This was our first set of dives after getting certified and we could not have asked for a better experience. Over the course of the vacation we did 8 dives with Alan and Captain Monkey and every single time was amazing. These gentleman were professional and funny and did their best to make sure everyone on the boat had a good (and safe time).
Over the 4 different trips we had age range from 13 to 70s and experience range from new diver to dive instructor. Each trip there was smiles and laughter from all on board.
A drift dive, two different reefs, 4 different wreck dives; all amazing. We are so ready to go back.
Over the 4 different trips we had age range from 13 to 70s and experience range from new diver to dive instructor. Each trip there was smiles and laughter from all on board.
A drift dive, two different reefs, 4 different wreck dives; all amazing. We are so ready to go back.
Written 16 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura S
9 contributions
Dec 2020 • Solo
Splendid time becoming PADI certified with the team at Aruba WaterSports.
Pauline was my main instructor, and I must admit I was slightly nervous/had a bit of a time with some of the equipment for the first time and she made me feel totally comfortable and relaxed enough to work myself through it and overcome that anxiety. She was so pleasant, fun and knowledgeable and a very talented instructor.
I also really enjoyed diving with the other dive masters, Alan and Pascal. These two were so much fun and helped me feel totally safe. They both gave me excellent tips to better enjoy my time in the water. Truly great people. Alan is a great dancer and DJ and Pascal will leave you rolling with laughter.
The whole team was totally professional and accommodating to the many different divers they escorted over the week. I saw them dive and work with young kids to the elderly.
I must not end this review without mentioning Lisa at the shop. She really helped make the experience extra special and was a pleasure to chat with each and every morning.
10/10 would recommend this company because of the exceptional talent and personalities they have on the team.
Thank you all so much and can’t wait to meet again
Pauline was my main instructor, and I must admit I was slightly nervous/had a bit of a time with some of the equipment for the first time and she made me feel totally comfortable and relaxed enough to work myself through it and overcome that anxiety. She was so pleasant, fun and knowledgeable and a very talented instructor.
I also really enjoyed diving with the other dive masters, Alan and Pascal. These two were so much fun and helped me feel totally safe. They both gave me excellent tips to better enjoy my time in the water. Truly great people. Alan is a great dancer and DJ and Pascal will leave you rolling with laughter.
The whole team was totally professional and accommodating to the many different divers they escorted over the week. I saw them dive and work with young kids to the elderly.
I must not end this review without mentioning Lisa at the shop. She really helped make the experience extra special and was a pleasure to chat with each and every morning.
10/10 would recommend this company because of the exceptional talent and personalities they have on the team.
Thank you all so much and can’t wait to meet again
Written 27 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
05Dusty1988
United States24 contributions
Great dive guide both in terms of safety review and fun.
We were the only 2 signed up to dive that morning so the company probably didn't make any money taking out the boat for 2 of us. I've seen companies cancel dives if they don't get certain numbers so I'm really grateful they took the boat out for just 2 of us. Dove the Antilles wreck and a reef. Saw rays, Moray eel, turtle, many fish.
We were the only 2 signed up to dive that morning so the company probably didn't make any money taking out the boat for 2 of us. I've seen companies cancel dives if they don't get certain numbers so I'm really grateful they took the boat out for just 2 of us. Dove the Antilles wreck and a reef. Saw rays, Moray eel, turtle, many fish.
Written 13 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BBH5858
Fairfield, CT8 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
The dive master, Alan, was very good and I really enjoyed the history lesson about the ships off the coast of Aruba during WWII. And the skills review in the water was good after not diving for a couple years.
The negative is that this we booked a dive for certified divers and one in our group of 5 had never dived before. I don’t know if the couple with the non- diver knew that we had booked a certified dive; there was some confusion with our reservation at the desk. Although we did see a couple turtles, a small ray and some colorful fish, the underwater experience was not very good because we were instructed to stay near Alan, but he had to assist the non-diver almost all the way through the dive. It wasn’t her fault, and she did pretty well for a first dive. Just not what we thought we booked.
The negative is that this we booked a dive for certified divers and one in our group of 5 had never dived before. I don’t know if the couple with the non- diver knew that we had booked a certified dive; there was some confusion with our reservation at the desk. Although we did see a couple turtles, a small ray and some colorful fish, the underwater experience was not very good because we were instructed to stay near Alan, but he had to assist the non-diver almost all the way through the dive. It wasn’t her fault, and she did pretty well for a first dive. Just not what we thought we booked.
Written 4 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I'm interested in fairly shallow dive say 45 feet .I'm padi cert to 60.i would be coming alone and would like an experiencd dive buddy
Written 5 March 2019
will this course certify my daughter who already went through the course but did not finish the last part of her open water test?
Written 6 January 2019
will this course certify my daughter who already went through the course but did not finish the last part of her open water test?
Written 6 January 2019
Jazz6857
Ottawa, Canada
Are you close to the cruise port area... we will be arriving on February 09 and would like to plan a dive???
Written 26 October 2018
How far are you from the Tamarijn? There will be 4 of us certified divers visiting Aruba Nov 25th-Nov 30th and looking for a place to dive at least 1 day, maybe 2
Written 5 October 2018
We would be traveling to your area in late Feb. what are the dive conditions for Feb? What would be the cost of a 10 dive package? Do you do night dives?
Written 17 July 2018
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