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#34
Dive buddy wanted for Aruba Xmas week.
Trucha - 12/06/2013 2:31 PM
Category: Buddy Wanted
Replies: 3

I’ll be in Aruba Xmas week and I am looking for a buddy. I am a new diver as I just got my dive cert level one (padi). So I am a new diver but I have done a few dives on my own now.
#45
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Frogman371 - 12/07/2013 7:45 AM
Gonna be there the week before Xmas. So won’t be able to help. However, check out Mermaid Scuba. That’s who I use when I dive there. They are a pretty good outfit. No problem being a single with them. The owner (Carlos) can be a bit grumpy, but he loosens up. His wife Wendy is great. They run a boat out of ornastad (downtown) but they pick you up at your hotel. Make sure to pickup one of the coupon books as you leave the airport. Mermaid Scuba usually has a 15% off coupon in there. As far as dives go, I recommend the airplanes. There is often a current there. But worth seeing/swimming through planes underwater. Good luck and have fun!
#1686
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bronxdiver - 12/08/2013 4:40 AM
Have been going to Aruba since 2004, got certified there in 06’, Depending on where ur staying should determine who u dive with. IMO. You have Aruba watersports, Unique, and Red Sail in the high rise area mermaid, dive with clive and flyn dive in the downtown area. You are a recently certified diver so some boats may not want to take you to the South Coast first time out. Thats where Jane Sea (90’), and the airplanes are (65’-80’), as well as a few other good spots. Water is rougher and way more current. Alot of shops want Advanced certification or for you to have dove it with them before or be familiar with south coast sites. The Antilla, Debbie 2, Morning star, arashi reef and pendernales are all good dives off the high rise area where current is less and depths are 25’-70’ give or take. I use Aruba watersports, raft boat with twin engines and u dive ur bottom time. Large shops with large groups its usually 30-40min and thats it regardless how much air u have left. I have used Unique in the past, they just got too big and boats are crowded and bottom time was like i stated before. Old boats that kept breaking down was also a big factor. My wife doesnt dive so i cant be gone from 8:30-2. I stay in the high rise area so i use a shop within walking distance of my hotel.