Dive Aruba: I should have listened to my gut!
Written: Nov 04 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Free transportation from hotel; nice divemaster
Cons: Junker van picked us up; very small older dive boat; windy conditions
The Bottom Line: I didn't like the looks of the dive boat: too small, too old, and had difficult access. The divemaster was very nice, but the overall transportation was below par.
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| diverpam's Full Review: Dive Aruba |
Every time I don't listen to my gut instinct, I end up regretting it. Dive Aruba was no exception.
Bought a Dive Package Sight Unseen
When we signed up for diving at our condo following some tour operator presentations, we actually dealt with a representative from another company. We bought a sunset sail and two dives at a package price. The lady we spoke with was very nice.
When I asked if they ever canceled dives if they didn't have enough people she assured me they never did that. "We always go out, even if only with one diver." We'd had a bad previous experience with another dive shop that canceled an early morning dive on us, so this assurance made me feel better.
Yes, folks, we purchased a couple of dives from a dive operation -- dive boat and facilities totally sight unseen --because it was convenient and they were offering a deal (not to mention the free t-shirts). Would I do that again? No.
Wait a Minute, That's Not our Dive Operation
The morning of our dive a raggedy shuttle bus stopped to pick us up. Hmm... I looked down at the free t-shirt I was wearing. It didn't say "Dive Aruba" so we approached the driver. He advised us that this was indeed our dive operator. He was there to pick us up. After he loaded our gear, he asked for our receipt. I pointed to my dive gear squeezed into the back. (He later collected it when we arrived.)
The van looked like it had seen its better days about 10 years earlier. The driver had to reach inside to open the door. The inside was threadbare to put it nicely. We might as well have been sitting on crates. Of course, there was no air conditioning. I began to wonder what the dive boat would look like.
When we arrived to pick up the next divers, the door wouldn't open. The driver asked us, "You didn't lock that door did you?" We didn't lock it, I swear we didn't!
The door refused to open. Luckily there was another door on the other side, but we were forced to crawl in the very back to allow the other couple to enter on our side.
It Gets Worse
I was already not feeling too good about this experience. Then, when we pulled up to a dive facility behind the Bushiri Beach Resort and I saw a very small dive boat on a trailer, I was really getting a sick feeling in my stomach.
The dive flag painted on the side had almost completely faded away. It was a very small boat -- 21 feet. (My living room is longer than that!)
I told my husband I didn't like the looks of it. I really, really wanted him to say, "Forget it, let's take a taxi back." Unfortunately, he didn't.
I was wondering how in the world eight people could fit on that boat. I inquired as to how many divers there would be. It seems the people we picked up weren't going diving with us, but there was one other diver.
This gentleman soon came over and introduced himself. He had dived with Dive Aruba several times before and said he wouldn't want to go with one of those big dive outfits. He liked Dive Aruba a lot.
That made me feel a little better, so I didn't fake food poisoning or a sudden earache and cancel out on the dive. Believe me, I had been considering all options up until this point.
Rather Primitive
We met our captain/divemaster Patrick and were given a tank on which to hook up our gear. Then we were expected to carry our tank with fully attached gear to the boat for loading. I allowed my husband to do that for me.
After the boat was launched I precariously picked my way over the rotten boards on the dock to get to the boat. Oh boy, was I in for a treat!
I have never seen so much naked fiberglass in my life. This boat was the equivalent of the old junker car my son used to own that had more bondo than metal and more primer paint than finish. Yes, this was a virtual floating Pinto!
There were two small built-in benches at the bow, one very wobbly plastic chair under a canopy, and no seat for the captain.
This was the most primitive dive boat I had ever seen. I opted for one of the front benches and hoped for the best. It had been my choice to dive the Jane Sea, a nice wreck at about 90 feet deep. We had never seen her and she sounded interesting. I kept reminding myself of this throughout the long trip to the dive site.
Unfavorable Dive Conditions
Did I mention it was very windy that day in Aruba? Aruba is usually windy, but that day it was very windy. What about the fact that the Jane Sea is pretty much out in open sea? Are you feeling uncomfortable yet? I certainly was.
Huge Swells
I was soaking wet before we ever got to the dive site. Salt water in the face and contacts are not a good combination. I felt like I was battered and bruised before we ever got started.
There was a large dive boat moored when we arrived, so our captain threw a line to the other boat and he tied us on to them. Bouncing around on a little boat in 5-6 foot swells attached to a big boat is no fun.
I really think we should have been given the option of another, more protected dive site because of the windy conditions. Apparently, I was the only one with that idea. I didn't suggest it, but I probably should have.
No Easy Dive Access
There was no dive platform on this jewel of a boat. Getting in and out of the water required maneuvering around the engine. The boat was getting bounced around and I was terrified of gashing open an arm or leg if I lost my footing.
Patrick steadied me as I put on my buoyancy compensator -- no easy feat sitting on the side of a slippery, bouncing boat. Luckily, I was able to catch the wave right and made it into the water in a giant stride without hitting anything. My regulator and mask were intact. So far, so good.
Too Rough For Me
After bouncing around in the water about five minutes or so waiting for everyone to get in, I managed to inhale a snorkel full of salt water. (Never listen to someone who says, "Don't waste your air on the surface, use your snorkel.") I should have kept my regulator and gotten below the surface to wait for them so I could have avoided the pounding waves.
Yes, the waves were pounding and I was coughing. I finally listened to my gut and signaled the divemaster I wanted out. I have never aborted a dive before, but I had ignored many warning signals that made me feel uncomfortable.
A snorkel full of aspirated salt water was enough for me to realize I had reached my limits. I used every hand signal I could remember from dive training when Patrick asked if I was sure I wanted out.
What a Struggle to Get Back In!
The part of diving I always dread is getting back into the boat. This was certainly no exception. I had to fight my way back to the boat and grab for the ladder. There were a couple of steps which were quite tricky to maneuver under the sea conditions. I could barely hold on to the ladder.
Once I got most of the way up I just hurled myself over and fell into the boat. So much for grace and dignity. I was very happy to be back in the boat. (Later I found some very interesting bruises and scratches. I got all the pain of diving that day and no gain!)
Patrick made sure I was okay, gave me some fruit juice, then he commenced the dive with my husband and our fellow diver. I sat on the boat and coughed almost non-stop for 20 minutes. The salt water had done a number on me.
The Jane Sea was a "No See" for Me
My husband told me it was a nice dive with lots of colorful coral. I don't actually think I would have enjoyed the dive, worrying about how I was going to be able to fight the waves and get back into the boat. The conditions were just not good for diving the Jane Sea that day. At least not for me.
I Also Missed a Nice Drift Dive
Because of the continuing windy conditions, high swells and my persistent cough, I opted to stay on the boat and let the guys have the next dive all to themselves. It was a drift dive along a reef, where my husband was lucky enough to see an octopus. Patrick and I stayed in the boat and he kept a pretty good eye on their bubbles. I never could spot them. Patrick was very nice and friendly and didn't make me feel like an idiot for aborting the dive that day. I was very thankful for that!
A New Boat on Order
Patrick told me there was a new 27-foot boat on order. That's nice, I told him, thinking how glad I was I didn't need to use the head, since there wasn't one on the ugly little boat I was bouncing around in. Hopefully, the new boat will be there in a few weeks and other divers can benefit from it.
Overall Thoughts
If you prefer a very small operation and you don't mind roughing it, then you might want to check out Dive Aruba. However, if you prefer a larger operation and appreciate more comforts and ease of access, then Dive Aruba is definitely not for you!
Recommended:
No
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diverpam
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Member: Pam
Location: Collierville, TN
Reviews written: 263
Trusted by: 351 members
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~~~~So many oceans...so little time!~~~~
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