Learn how to dive on Aruba
Clear, warm water
Although one can learn how to dive in a swimming pool, it is a lot more pleasant to have your first experience in a tropical underwater paradise. The corals, fish, seahorses, rays, shrimp and crustaceans: they all look a lot more attractive in the crystal clear water. And as Aruba is just north of the equator, the water is also delightfully warm. Aruba boasts a large number of dive schools and anybody who is willing to invest a little of their time will benefit for the rest of their life. It only takes a few days to become a certified diver with one of the 2 largest dive organizations in the world, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) and Scuba Schools International (SSI). There is not much of a difference between these 2 certificates and the facilities on Aruba comply with strict safety regulations. The most important factor in the learning process is usually the dive instructor.
First stop: the pool
From trial to certification
A dive course often begins in the hotel swimming pool. Aruba’s better hotels offer their own courses or can recommend a good diving centre – these courses are often referred to as a ‘resort course'. After a session in the swimming pool to become familiar with the diving equipment, you go on your first dive. In PADI terminology this dive is called a Discover Scuba Diving (DSD). Many fall in love with diving and then decide to become a certified scuba-diver.
