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Dive Review of S.E.Aruba Fly 'n Dive/N/A in
Aruba

S.E.Aruba Fly 'n Dive/N/A: "Another week of great diving", Jul, 2021,

by Ms Lynda Durfee, VA, US (Top Contributor Top Contributor 49 reports with 24 Helpful votes). Report 11647.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations N/A Food N/A
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation N/A Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 3 stars
Comments This is my 13th year of diving with this company. I missed 2020 due to COVID restrictions, back problems, and started new job, and this was my first time diving since a major South Pacific month-long trip in May-June 2019. I emailed them in advance to get assurance I'd get help getting in and out of the water. Crew helped me off with BCD unit in the water, taking fins off, and getting back up the ladder. We only had 5-7 guests on my 3 days of diving, so we dove reefs and a wreck (Jane C) not more than 30-40 minutes from dock. Can't beat the price of about $45 per tank. Paula and Erwin have done a great job since buying the operation in 2013. They relocated in the past year to a purpose-built shop with dock south of the airport and will pick you up from your hotel (mine was at the north end of Palm Beach) and bring you back. I have my own gear, but their rental gear is mostly new. They only rent shorties, so if you get cold (I wore a 5 mm in 82 degree water), bring your own. Snacks (fruit, juice boxes, finger sandwiches, water) are provided. Very safety conscious. You probably don't think of Aruba as a scuba destination, but I had been going there since once or twice a year since 2004 (timeshare) and always see more fish than at the East End of Grand Cayman. Same species you will find off Bonaire. Plus there is plenty to do topside and your non-diving traveling companions won't be bored. Beautiful beaches, hardly ever rains. Visibility a little less than usual because of stronger than usual winds (strong is usual!) Govt has been vigilant with COVID restrictions, easying up at times, and dialing back when necessary. As a courtesy, bring a mask to put in when going in shops; most shopkeepers have a sign on their front door requesting that you do. Lots of restaurants of every cousine, many with early bird (5-7) specials and locally-caught fish (way offshore) featured. Go online to fill in your Aruba entry card and your 72-hour test results. Still required for entry even if you are fully vaccinated; I don't know of anyplace in the Caribbean (except USVI) that doesn't require a pre-arrival test. Grand Cayman has been shut down since March 2020. Larger resorts have onsite test centers for your US-required test 72 hours before your return flight. Yes, I Love Aruba!
Websites S.E.Aruba Fly 'n Dive   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience Over 1000 dives
Where else diving All over Caribbean, all Hawaiian islands, Fiji, Palau, Maldives, Red Sea, Solomon Islands
Closest Airport Aruba Getting There non-stop flights from NY, Boston and major hubs from Philly to Atlanta. Easy connections from EC hubs.

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, windy, dry Seas choppy
Water Temp 80-82°F / 27-28°C Wetsuit Thickness 5
Water Visibility 70-90 Ft/ 21-27 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Dive your profile, but on drift dives follow guide and do safety stop and surface at same time.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 3 stars Tropical Fish 3 stars
Small Critters 2 stars Large Fish N/A
Large Pelagics N/A

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 3 stars Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's N/A Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments I'm not a photographer. Separate barrel for cameras and they will assist you in/out of water.
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Subscriber's Comments

By report author: Ms Lynda Durfee in VA, US at Sep 23, 2021 20:06 EST  
My reports are about 1/3 of those posted for Aruba. I wouldn't relay on any reports older than 2019. Owners change, guides change operators or leave the island and some are just cattle boats. Any questions on Aruba, feel free to ask.
By Andrew Falconer in Bunbury, AU at Jun 09, 2023 20:34 EST  
Hi Lynda, I am flying to Aruba tomorrow from Colombia with wife, son and his partner. My son and me only are divers, me experienced, my son much less so. I have not booked any dives, but I have made enquiries with 3 dive operators. We will probably only dive for a couple of days as for us it seems quite expensive. If you could recommend what you consider the top 1/2 dozen dives including wrecks that would be great. Thanks Andrew
By Andrew Falconer in Bunbury, AU at Jun 09, 2023 20:37 EST  
Hi Lynda, I am flying to Aruba tomorrow from Colombia with wife, son and his partner. My son and me only are divers, me experienced, my son much less so. I have not booked any dives, but I have made enquiries with 3 dive operators. We will probably only dive for a couple of days as for us it seems quite expensive. If If you could recommend what you consider the top 1/2 dozen dives including wrecks that would be great. Thanks Andrew
By Andrew Falconer in Bunbury, AU at Jun 09, 2023 20:42 EST  
Hi Lynda, I am flying to Aruba tomorrow from Colombia with wife, son and his partner. My son and me only are divers, me experienced, my son much less so. I have not booked any dives, but I have made enquiries with 3 dive operators. We will probably only dive for a couple of days as for us it seems quite expensive. If you could recommend what you consider the top 1/2 dozen dives including wrecks that would be great. Thanks Andrew
By report author: Ms Lynda Durfee in VA, US at Jun 09, 2023 21:07 EST  
Click on the link to the website for SE above. Click on the contact us to send them an email ASAP. The best dives are south of the airport, and SE goes to those reefs most days, so you save a lot of boat time over leaving from Palm Beach area. They go to the wrecks on the north end one day a week. Ignore COVID info. You will need to provide your diver certification cards. Google "15 best dives in Aruba". I can't post a web link per moderator rule.
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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