Is Aruba a good holiday destination?

Aruba is consistently ranked among the top Caribbean destinations — beautiful beaches, year-round sunshine, very safe, excellent food and activities. Great for couples, families and solo travellers.

What is Aruba most famous for?

Aruba is famous for Eagle Beach (regularly voted one of the world's best), constant trade winds, year-round sunshine outside the hurricane belt, water sports, and the iconic divi-divi trees.

How many days do you need in Aruba?

5–7 days is ideal — enough to visit the top beaches, do a catamaran cruise and jeep tour, explore Oranjestad and relax. 4 days works for a shorter focused trip.

Is Aruba safe for tourists?

Yes — Aruba is one of the safest Caribbean islands. Tourist-targeted crime is very rare. The main precaution is standard awareness in quieter Oranjestad streets at night.

Aruba Antilla Shipwreck 2026: The Caribbean's Largest...

Aruba antilla shipwreck is one of the most popular topics for visitors planning a trip to Aruba. This guide covers everything you need to know.

Antilla shipwreck Aruba coral reef underwater diving snorkeling site — The Antilla Shipwreck — the largest in the Caribbean, accessible by snorkel

The Antilla is a 400-foot (122-metre) German cargo ship that was scuttled in 1940 during World War II — and it is the largest shipwreck in the Caribbean. Lying on its side in 18–27 metres of water off Aruba’s northwest coast near Malmok, the Antilla has become an extraordinary artificial reef. It’s the centrepiece of diving in Aruba and one of the most compelling dive and snorkel sites in the entire Caribbean.

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The Antilla Shipwreck — History

The Antilla (also spelled Antília) was a 400-foot German freighter. When war broke out between Germany and the Netherlands in May 1940, the Antilla was in Aruba’s harbour. The Dutch gave the German crew an ultimatum; rather than surrender the ship, the crew scuttled it — deliberately sinking it to prevent its capture. The ship went to the bottom on May 11, 1940, where it has remained ever since.

Over 85 years, the wreck has been completely colonised by coral, sponges, and marine life. It lies on its side, with the hull, masts, cargo hold openings, and engine room all accessible to divers. The sheer scale of the ship — 122 metres — means divers can spend multiple dives exploring different sections.

Diving the Antilla

The Antilla is a multi-dive experience. The shallowest sections reach to within 5–8 metres of the surface, making portions accessible to snorkellers. The hull sits in 18 metres and the deepest sections reach 27 metres — within recreational diving limits but requiring a reasonable comfort level.

What you’ll see: enormous coral heads covering every surface, black coral in the deeper sections, sponges in every colour, large barracuda patrolling the hull, moray eels in every crack, schools of glassy sweepers inside the cargo holds, sea turtles resting on the wreck, and occasional reef sharks in the deeper sections. The scale and biodiversity are genuinely impressive.

Snorkelling the Antilla

The shallow sections of the Antilla (5–8 metres) are accessible to snorkellers. Guided snorkel tours depart from Palm Beach and take approximately 45 minutes each way by boat. At the surface you can see the top of the hull in clear water. Several operators offer snorkelling specifically at the Antilla — it’s one of the most unique snorkelling experiences in Aruba even for non-divers. $45–65/person for a guided snorkel tour.

Getting to the Antilla

The Antilla is offshore in open water and is not accessible from any beach. All visits are by boat. Every dive operator on Palm Beach runs regular Antilla trips (typically two departures daily). Snorkelling tours are also available from several catamaran and tour operators.

What is the Antilla shipwreck in Aruba?

The Antilla is a 400-foot German cargo ship scuttled in 1940, lying in 18–27 metres of water off Aruba’s northwest coast. It is the largest shipwreck in the Caribbean and one of the best dive sites in the region, entirely covered in coral and marine life after 85+ years underwater.

Can you snorkel the Antilla wreck in Aruba?

Yes — the shallowest sections of the Antilla are 5–8 metres below the surface, accessible to snorkellers. Guided snorkelling tours to the Antilla depart from Palm Beach and cost approximately $45–65/person.

How deep is the Antilla wreck in Aruba?

The Antilla wreck lies in 18–27 metres of water, with the shallowest sections of the hull reaching within 5–8 metres of the surface. This makes parts of it accessible to snorkellers while deeper sections require scuba certification.

Is the Antilla worth diving?

Yes — the Antilla is the standout dive in Aruba and one of the Caribbean’s great wreck dives. The sheer scale (122 metres), the 85 years of coral colonisation, and the abundant marine life make it exceptional. Most divers need 2–3 separate dives to explore it fully.