Community Forum

margeka · 08-10-2009, 11:42 PM

Hi, We are staying at Occidental in November and would love to book a diving package. We last were in Aruba 10 years ago and did our diving with Red Sail Sports. We are not interested in using them again as they still take up to 24 divers on a boat. We would like to dive with smaller groups. Could you give me a recommendation of a dive op that uses smaller boats, takes small groups of 6 or less. Also, location matters. We don't want long van rides to where the boats are leaving from. Thank you.

*Arubalisa* · 08-10-2009, 11:59 PM

I have not used them but I believe http://www.private-diving.com may be something you would be interested in. Otherwise http://www.se-aruba.com/

Unique, Pelican (owned by Unique) and Red Sail are THE major players on Palm Beach. Imo, if you were not happy with Red Sail, Unique will be a repeat.

margeka · 08-11-2009, 10:51 PM

Thank you for the referral to SE Fly and Dive. I have e-mailed them asking for a package rate. Their web site states they are located on Havana Beach. I can't find that beach on any map. Would you know where they are and if it is close to Occidental. Thank you again. Marge

*Arubalisa* · 08-12-2009, 12:26 AM

http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=12.5087745&lon=-70.0292373&z=17&l=0&m=b Havana Beach is located between the airport and downtown Oranjestad. It is about a 15 minute ride from the Occidental. Unfortunately they are the closest operator who would probably fulfill your requirements.

Aruba Watersports right there between the Occidental and Radisson is a PADI facility, however I do not reccommend them but for Discover scuba. They were terrific with our then 10 yo, but for certified divers, their inflatables don't really cut it.

Chadd · 08-12-2009, 03:30 AM

I've only had more than six divers on a boat once in more than a dozen trips with red sail and never on the south coast dives.

PeterdeHoop · 08-12-2009, 10:22 AM

HI, great to read that you are returning to Aruba for vacation. I just wanted to let you know that we at Red Sail's have reduced the maximum # of divers on our vessels to 20. This decision was taken after receiving feedback from our dear guests that the trips at times were too full. Hope you will great time above and below the water. Peter

DANNYO · 08-12-2009, 11:39 AM

For the last two years I have used Red Sail and they had 6-8 divers on the boat,I go to Aruba in late October.On previous trips I have used Dive Aruba.Clive the owner has been diving for more than 25years and has a small boat and only takes a max of 6 divers.The difference in companies is more convince for me,My wife doesn't dive and Dive Aruba's dives are much longer than Red Sail.Both IMO are great.Enjoy your dives.

margeka · 08-12-2009, 09:38 PM

Thank you for your responses. Also, I appreciate your response Peter. We prefer small dive boats with less than 8 divers and lots of bottom time. We are going to look at all of our options.

margeka · 08-12-2009, 09:43 PM

What I would like to avoid is the schlepping of our gear in vehicles to get to the dive boats. We would really prefer to be able to walk out to the shore and get on a boat and go dive, not having to get picked up and driven to the boat. That's the tough part I guess. Convenience or smaller groups. We're hoping it will be less crowded in November when we arrive.

*Arubalisa* · 08-12-2009, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by margeka

We would really prefer to be able to walk out to the shore and get on a boat and go dive, not having to get picked up and driven to the boat.

Red Sail or Unique are the only two operators who operate their boats from that specific area.
Unique from De Palm Pier between the Radisson and Riu and Red Sail the Hyatt pier.

08-10-2009, 11:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
margeka Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 24	scuba diving operators Hi, We are staying at Occidental in November and would love to book a diving package. We last were in Aruba 10 years ago and did our diving with Red Sail Sports. We are not interested in using them again as they still take up to 24 divers on a boat. We would like to dive with smaller groups. Could you give me a recommendation of a dive op that uses smaller boats, takes small groups of 6 or less. Also, location matters. We don't want long van rides to where the boats are leaving from. Thank you. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

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08-10-2009, 11:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
Arubalisa Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Boca Catalina Posts: 10,108 Images: 167	I have not used them but I believe http://www.private-diving.com may be something you would be interested in. Otherwise http://www.se-aruba.com/ Unique, Pelican (owned by Unique) and Red Sail are THE major players on Palm Beach. Imo, if you were not happy with Red Sail, Unique will be a repeat. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Aruba Bound! ~ Blogging to Aruba ~ Cat Resource Directory ~ Our-Cruises ~ Pictures of Aruba

08-11-2009, 10:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
margeka Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 24	THank you Thank you for the referral to SE Fly and Dive. I have e-mailed them asking for a package rate. Their web site states they are located on Havana Beach. I can't find that beach on any map. Would you know where they are and if it is close to Occidental. Thank you again. Marge Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

08-12-2009, 12:26 AM	#4 (permalink)
Arubalisa Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Boca Catalina Posts: 10,108 Images: 167	http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=12.5087745&lon=-70.0292373&z=17&l=0&m=b Havana Beach is located between the airport and downtown Oranjestad. It is about a 15 minute ride from the Occidental. Unfortunately they are the closest operator who would probably fulfill your requirements. Aruba Watersports right there between the Occidental and Radisson is a PADI facility, however I do not reccommend them but for Discover scuba. They were terrific with our then 10 yo, but for certified divers, their inflatables don't really cut it. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Aruba Bound! ~ Blogging to Aruba ~ Cat Resource Directory ~ Our-Cruises ~ Pictures of Aruba

08-12-2009, 03:30 AM	#5 (permalink)
Chadd Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Arikok Antilla Natural pool Posts: 1,157	I've only had more than six divers on a boat once in more than a dozen trips with red sail and never on the south coast dives. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________

08-12-2009, 10:22 AM	#6 (permalink)
PeterdeHoop Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2	HI, great to read that you are returning to Aruba for vacation. I just wanted to let you know that we at Red Sail's have reduced the maximum # of divers on our vessels to 20. This decision was taken after receiving feedback from our dear guests that the trips at times were too full. Hope you will great time above and below the water. Peter Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

08-12-2009, 11:39 AM	#7 (permalink)
DANNYO Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Marriott Surf Club Posts: 1,564 Images: 1	For the last two years I have used Red Sail and they had 6-8 divers on the boat,I go to Aruba in late October.On previous trips I have used Dive Aruba.Clive the owner has been diving for more than 25years and has a small boat and only takes a max of 6 divers.The difference in companies is more convince for me,My wife doesn't dive and Dive Aruba's dives are much longer than Red Sail.Both IMO are great.Enjoy your dives. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________

08-12-2009, 09:38 PM	#8 (permalink)
margeka Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 24	Thank you for your responses. Also, I appreciate your response Peter. We prefer small dive boats with less than 8 divers and lots of bottom time. We are going to look at all of our options. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

08-12-2009, 09:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
margeka Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 24	What I would like to avoid is the schlepping of our gear in vehicles to get to the dive boats. We would really prefer to be able to walk out to the shore and get on a boat and go dive, not having to get picked up and driven to the boat. That's the tough part I guess. Convenience or smaller groups. We're hoping it will be less crowded in November when we arrive. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook