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Barcadera Reef

Barcadera Reef on Aruba’s Leeward Coast is our pick for a really relaxed drift dive. At a maximum depth of 19m, it is super accessible, meaning you can really stretch out your bottom time and soak it all in. We love how the reef here is broken up; you'll drift over stretches of bright white sand, then suddenly find yourself gliding past big, healthy coral formations that rise up like miniature cities. Keep your eyes peeled in those sandy patches, we often spot Bigtooth Cardinalfish tucked away, and the occasional Eyed Flounder perfectly camouflaged. But it’s the drift itself that makes Barcadera special. The current usually pushes you gently along, giving you a smooth ride past schools of Herring and Atlantic Bumper, so dense they sometimes block out the light for a second. It is an ideal spot if you're keen on an easy dive with plenty to see without having to kick too hard. We’d suggest going in the morning before any wind picks up, the visibility is usually at its best then.