Arashi (Wreck)
Protected Area
Westpunt
Why dive here
With 82+ marine species recorded in the area - including orcas, sea turtles, whale sharks, frogfish and lionfish - Arashi (Wreck) offers some of Aruba Leeward Coast's richest wreck diving. Water sits around 28°C.
The Arashi wreck is one of our favourite beginner-friendly dives in Aruba. It’s a Lockheed Lodestar, scattered across a 15-meter sandy bottom, and while it might not be a huge intact vessel, its broken sections offer plenty to poke around in. You’ll weave through metal ribs and plating, now encrusted with sponges and soft corals, feeling the gentle surge pull you along. We love seeing the way the reef has completely enveloped parts of the plane. Schools of snapper and grunts hover in the shade of the larger pieces, and we’ve often spotted hawksbill turtles slowly munching on algae near the landing gear. Keep an eye out for the cherub pygmy angelfish flitting in and out of the crevices. The visibility here is usually great, around 18 metres, making it perfect for photographers or anyone wanting a relaxed, shallow wreck dive without the need for advanced skills. It’s a great introduction to wreck diving, letting you get up close without any tight squeeze-throughs.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Arashi (Wreck) Wreck History
Vessel Type
aircraft
Cause
unknown
Just off the beautiful Arashi Beach on Aruba's leeward coast lies a unique underwater attraction-not a ship, but the scattered remains of a Lockheed Lodestar aircraft. The exact story of how this twin-engine transport plane ended up on the seabed is shrouded in local legend, but its presence has created a fantastic dive site. Resting in just 35 feet (11 meters) of clear, calm water, the Arashi wreck is perfect for beginner divers, snorkelers, and underwater photographers.
The aircraft is broken into several pieces, with the cockpit and tail sections being the most recognizable features. Over the years, the wreckage has transformed into a vibrant artificial reef. Hard and soft corals have colonized the metal fuselage, providing a home for a dazzling array of Caribbean marine life. As you explore the site, you'll be surrounded by colorful schools of parrotfish and angelfish, while moray eels often peek out from crevices within the plane's structure. Its shallow depth and abundant sea life make it one of Aruba's most popular and accessible wreck dives.
Nearest Dive Centres to Arashi (Wreck)
Dive shops near Arashi (Wreck)
Aqua Windies
Fly and Dive
Nautilus Dive Center Aruba
Aruba Watersafety Institute
JADS Dive Center
Reviews for Arashi (Wreck)
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Arashi (Wreck)
Arashi (Wreck) Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Arashi (Wreck), sourced from NOAA buoy data - nearest station: Open-Meteo grid (12.54, -70.04) (0km away)
August Averages
Sea Temperature
27.72°C
82°F
Air Temperature
28.9°C
84°F
Wind Speed
8.6 m/s
16.7 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1011.4 hPa
Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC
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