Barcadera Reef - Aruba Leeward Coast

Coralie Bay, over on the eastern side of the Great Mercury Islands, is one of those places we often forget about but always remember fondly once we’re there. It's an easy dive, a perfect spot to just chill out and explore without battling any big currents. You drop in and find this classic New Zealand kelp forest, huge fronds swaying back and forth, filtering the sunlight into green shafts. We love drifting through those kelp tunnels; it feels like you're in a secret underwater garden. Look closely among the holdfasts for little blennies and triplefins, often camouflaged so well you'll swim right past them if you're not paying attention. The sandy patches between the rocky reefs are great for spotting rays settled on the bottom, and if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of an orca cruising through the bay – it’s happened to us a few times. Visibility usually sits around 8 metres, which is decent enough for exploring the reef’s contours and the numerous crayfish hiding in the cracks. It’s a solid pick for divers who want a relaxed experience and a good chance at spotting some larger visitors.

Location
Aruba Leeward Coast, Aruba, Caribbean
Coordinates
12.478300, -70.004000
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Zuidkust

Best Time to Dive in Aruba Leeward Coast

The warmest water temperatures in Aruba Leeward Coast occur in January, averaging 27.7°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 27.7°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 27.7°C (air: 26.7°C)
  • February: 27.7°C (air: 26.5°C)
  • March: 27.7°C (air: 26.8°C)
  • April: 27.7°C (air: 27.5°C)
  • May: 27.7°C (air: 28.0°C)
  • June: 27.7°C (air: 28.4°C)
  • July: 27.7°C (air: 28.4°C)
  • August: 27.7°C (air: 28.9°C)
  • September: 27.7°C (air: 29.5°C)
  • October: 27.7°C (air: 29.0°C)
  • November: 27.7°C (air: 27.7°C)
  • December: 27.7°C (air: 27.4°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Aruba Leeward Coast

Nearest Dive Centres to Barcadera Reef

Marine Life in Aruba Leeward Coast

Home to 92 recorded species including 55 reef fish, 7 sea snails & nudibranchs, 7 hard corals, 6 crabs & lobsters, 4 other, 4 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Barcadera Reef

Based on average water temperature of 27.7°C.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories