Aruba: Certified Scuba Diving with Gear & Boat Dives

Summary

Scuba dive Aruba’s reefs and shipwrecks with all gear included

You’ll gear up and board a dive boat in Aruba with a local guide, then drop into warm Caribbean water for certified scuba diving. Explore reefs and famous shipwrecks like Antilla, spot turtles and eels, and share laughs with fellow divers before heading back salty-haired and smiling.

What’s the experience like?

I still laugh thinking about how nervous I was waiting at the dock in Aruba, clutching my certification card like it might fly away. The sun was already high, but there was this salty breeze that made everything feel lighter. Our guide, Carlos, checked our papers and cracked a joke about “not feeding the eels”—I think he’d seen enough anxious divers to know how to break the ice. The boat wasn’t fancy, but it smelled of sunscreen and neoprene, which I guess is just how these mornings start.

We rolled backwards off the side—honestly, that part always gets me—and suddenly everything went quiet except for my own bubbles. I didn’t expect the water to be so clear. Down at about 60 feet, we drifted past a chunk of the Antilla shipwreck. Fish darted everywhere—yellowtail snappers flashing by so close I could’ve touched them (didn’t). At one point a turtle glided over the sand below us; someone behind me let out a muffled “whoa” through their regulator. It’s funny what sticks with you—like how cold the metal of the wreck felt under my glove or the weirdly sweet smell of my mask defogger.

Carlos pointed out a green moray eel poking out from some coral—he tapped his tank and did this little wiggly hand motion that made us all smile underwater (I probably looked ridiculous trying to copy it). We surfaced after about 45 minutes, salty hair everywhere, laughing about who used up their air fastest. There was no rush to get back on board; we just floated for a bit, listening to nothing but waves slapping against the hull. I keep replaying that silence in my head sometimes when things get loud back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Certified scuba diving in Aruba

• Check in at the desk
• Complete paperwork
• Show certification card
• Receive diving gear
• Board boat for dive
• Enter water with back roll

Top questions

Do I need to be certified to join this scuba dive in Aruba?

Yes, you must show proof of dive certification to participate in this certified scuba diving tour.

Is scuba gear included on this Aruba dive trip?

Yes, use of scuba gear is included if you select that option when booking.

Where do we check in for the Aruba scuba diving tour?

You’ll check in at the operator’s desk before gearing up and boarding the boat.

Are all dives from a boat or can we shore dive?

All dives on this tour are done from a boat using a back roll entrance.

What marine life might I see while diving in Aruba?

You may see turtles, moray eels (green and spotted), stingrays, yellowtail snappers, and more.

Can pregnant travelers join this certified scuba dive?

No, this activity is not recommended for pregnant travelers.

Is hotel pickup included for this Aruba diving tour?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; public transport options are nearby.

Are there any health restrictions for joining?

This tour isn’t recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health; good physical fitness is required.

What’s included

Your day includes use of scuba gear if you choose that option when booking, all local taxes covered, plus guidance from experienced local crew before your boat dives among Aruba’s reefs and shipwrecks—just remember to bring your certification card along for check-in.