Snorkeling or scuba diving is available through Pelican Watersports or Unique Sports of Aruba.  They provide the equipment and bring you to the great spots for snorkeling.  You can also bring your own equipment and drive to some great spots yourself.  Malmok beach, Mangel Halto, and DePalm Island are great snorkeling spots.

Below is a reprint from Rodale’s Scuba Diving magazine

Major airlines offer multiple daily flights to Aruba because the island is home to all the distractions you'd expect of a top Caribbean destination: casinos, nightlife, gourmet dining, shopping and water sports. Although these popular Caribbean draws may tempt you, you'd be missing out on some premier wreck dives in shallow, crystal‑clear water if you were to forgo diving.

DIVE OPTIONS Topping out in 6o feet of water, the 4oo-foot Antilla is one of the Caribbean's largest and most popular wreck dives. Farther north, not far from Plonco Reef, lies the 250-foot Jane Sea, an eerie, coral-studded freighter sitting upright at go feet. In addition to the wrecks, shallow reefs interspersed along the southern shore slope down to 100 feet and are popular hangouts for barracudas, morays and schooling fish. The recently sunk Star Garren freighter is only now being colonized by coral, but operators have begun regular trips.

WEATHER Dry and sunny all year long with temps rarely below 75F in the winter or above 85F in the summer. Trade winds keep it cool and comfortable year-round.

AVERAGE WATER TEMP Low 80Fs in the summer to upper 70Fs in winter.

AVERAGE VISIBILITY Vis is typically in the 50-to 100-foot range, but can top out at 125 feet on good days.

TRAVEL SAVVY Whether its low-rise or high-rise, accommodations in Aruba, along either southern strand, arc as lavish as you choose. Proof of citizenship and return ticket are required for U.S. and Canadian citizens. DESTINATION LINKS www.aruba.com, www.arubatourism.com, www.arubaexperience.com.

READER COMMENTS

"Beautiful water, abundant variety of fish. Snorkeling around Aruba was the best I have seen in a while." K.H., SEMINOLE, FLA., SEPT. '01.

"The wrecks were fabulous. It is often said that the wreck of the Antilla is one of the best wrecks to dive in the Caribbean. I would agree. I also liked the variety of fish and eels." D.G., DOLLARD DES ORMEAUX, QUEBEC, DEC. '01.

"Aruba has something for everyone under water or topside; it's clean and safe and economically priced." T.R., BEAVER CREEK, ORE., OCT. '01.

DIVE SHOPS

Aruba Pro Dive (011) 2978-25520 fax: (011) 2978-77722 e-mail: dive@arubapro­dive.com web: www.arubaprodive.com

Mermaid Sport Divers (011) 2978-35546 fax: (011) 2978-35546 e-mail: mermaid@setarnet.aw web: www.scubadiversaruba.com. We are a small, family-owned company that does not run cattle boats. Personalized service. package: Unlimited diving package for one week (7 days, up to 20 dives), $360 p.p. including all diving equipment; $260 p.p. with tanks and weights.

Native Divers Aruba (011) 2978-64763 fax: (011) 2978-68515 e-mail: nativedivers@setarnet.aw web: www.nativedivers.com. Small groups of five divers; customers make schedule.

Pelican Adventures (011) 2978-72302 fax: (011) 297-872315 e-mail: pelican-aruba@setarnet.aw web: www.pelican-aruba.com. More than 15 years experience on Aruba, service and professionalism, the island's largest fleet, own marina with facilities, located on the premises of major resorts on Aruba. package: 3-tank dives, includes lunch at the Pelican Nest, $110 with equipment, $90 without equipment.

Red Sail Sports Aruba (877) 733-7245, (011) 2978-61603 fax: (011) 2978-66657 e-mail: info@redsail.com web: www.redsail.com. package: 2002 "Dive, Dive and More Dives" Package: 5 tanks for only $150. Choose your tanks in any combination that you wish. Designed to fit your schedule, "Dive, Dive and More Dives" is flexible and affordable. Package valid through Dec. 31, 2002. accommodations: Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino, Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, Sonesta Beach Resort.

SEAruba Fly 'n Dive (011) 2978-78759 fax: (011) 2978-52023 e-mail: searuba.fly.n.dive@setarnet.aw web: www.visitaruba.com/searuba. We're the only dive company on Aruba that organizes dive trips to Bonaire. Aruba's most personalized PADI dive resort and more. Wreck, reef, night, drift, boat and shore dives. Lessons and certifications. package: A 20 percent discount for Rodale's readers. Unlimited diving for 7 days, $325. accommodations: Caribbean Town Resort, Montana Apartments, Seabreeze Apartments, Malmok Apartments.

e-mail us at info@arubavacationhouse.com