Aruba?

Am staying at the Radisson in April and am looking for some info on dive
operators. The Radisson web site says they have a PADI dive center at the
hotel, but no other info - anyone have any direct experience with the
outfit? Dive sites in shallow to intermediate (30-100')?

Thanks in advance

"Stumpy" <pdion@swfla.rr.com> wrote in message news:<bi9Ub.16051$rj7.149369@twister.tampabay.rr.c om>...
> Am staying at the Radisson in April and am looking for some info on dive
> operators. The Radisson web site says they have a PADI dive center at the
> hotel, but no other info - anyone have any direct experience with the
> outfit?

I never saw a dive shop at the Radison (at least on the water).
most all the hotels there have some sort of dive "tour operator"
desk to sign you up for dives that all leave from some central
location.

Located on the property line between the Radisson and the
Aruba Grand is Unique Watersports. Maybe that's who
they are referring to.
http://www.visitaruba.com/uniquesports/
They have a small shop and onsite boat at a pier at
that same location. Their webpage says they are located
at the Aruba Grand, but they are actually on the side of
the hotel almost on the property line with the Radisson.

As for using them, I have heard good reviews about them.

Another boat operator, Pelican is about a 10 minute
walk down the boardwalk. I was happy with them.


> Dive sites in shallow to intermediate (30-100')?

I only saw one dive site that was shallow. that's
the Pedernalis, a WWII wreck in about 20 feet of water.
Some people like this dive and other hate it because
it is "beginner" shallow. But I liked it because the
shallowness allowed good light for picture taking and
there were tons of fish eager to have their picture taken
because they thought you were from one of the snorkle
boats that give them fish food.

Most of the dives on the west coast are in about 50-60'.
The Antilla is the "big dive". It's a 400' freighter sunk
by it's german crew at the the start of WWII to keep it
out of the Dutch Marines hands. it sits intact mostly
in about 55 feet of water and it's cargo holds are easily
pentratable.

There are a few other wrecks and reefs in the 60-70 foot
depth on the west side.

the south side of the island has better reefs and deeper
ones (80-100' average)

on average, 2 tanks with tanks/weights boat dive was
about $55.

hope that helps some. drop an email if you have questions.
>
> Thanks in advance

On Thu, 05 Feb 2004 14:40:09 -0800, Michael Sutton wrote:

> http://www.visitaruba.com/uniquesports/
> They have a small shop and onsite boat at a pier at
> that same location. Their webpage says they are located
> at the Aruba Grand, but they are actually on the side of
> the hotel almost on the property line with the Radisson.
>
> As for using them, I have heard good reviews about them.

I used them. They were fine. There's a trip report on my website and some
underwater shots.

The Antilla is the must do dive, but there are other interesting wrecks
and I found the plane dive interesting too. The reefs aren't bad either.

Jason

--
See http://www.scuba-addict.co.uk/ for UK diving reports including
trips to Plymouth, Weymouth, Falmouth, Exmouth and Scapa Flow

There is a Red Sail Sports shop on the beach about two hotels to the North
(right as you are facing the sea) of the Radisson. Definitely a cattle boat
operation.

I have not used them but I have heard good things about Pelican divers.
They work out of a couple locations on the island.


"Jason" <jason.usenet.nospam@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
newsan.2004.02.06.19.43.10.699968@ntlworld.com.. .
> On Thu, 05 Feb 2004 14:40:09 -0800, Michael Sutton wrote:
>
> > http://www.visitaruba.com/uniquesports/
> > They have a small shop and onsite boat at a pier at
> > that same location. Their webpage says they are located
> > at the Aruba Grand, but they are actually on the side of
> > the hotel almost on the property line with the Radisson.
> >
> > As for using them, I have heard good reviews about them.
>
> I used them. They were fine. There's a trip report on my website and some
> underwater shots.
>
> The Antilla is the must do dive, but there are other interesting wrecks
> and I found the plane dive interesting too. The reefs aren't bad either.
>
> Jason
>
> --
> See http://www.scuba-addict.co.uk/ for UK diving reports including
> trips to Plymouth, Weymouth, Falmouth, Exmouth and Scapa Flow
>