CLAUDIA - Aruba Leeward Coast

The Claudia wreck on Aruba's Leeward Coast is one of our favourite shallow dives, especially if you're into that classic Caribbean wreck vibe without the big depths. She’s a motor vessel, a decent size at over 100 metres, which means there’s plenty to explore. We love that she sits upright, mostly intact, letting you trace her outline easily. You’ll find her draped in soft corals, particularly the vibrant orange cup corals that really pop against the hull. Look for the schools of sergeant majors weaving through the deck fittings and the occasional green moray eel peeking out from the darker corners. The max depth of 10m means long bottom times are a given, perfect for photographers or anyone who just wants to take their time soaking it all in. We’d suggest going in the morning; the light rays cutting through the water and illuminating the wreck are spectacular, and visibility tends to be at its best. It’s a gentle dive, really, suitable for newer divers looking for their first wreck experience, but with enough character to keep experienced divers happy too.

Location: Aruba Leeward Coast, Aruba, Caribbean
Coordinates: 12.363334, -71.294170
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 10m

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)

Nearest Dive Centres to CLAUDIA

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

Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
Bay Whiff (Citharichthys spilopterus) - Reef Fish
loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
killer alga (Caulerpa taxifolia) - Seagrass & Algae
Yellowline Arrow Crab (Stenorhynchus seticornis) - Crabs & Lobsters
Hieroglyphic Cone (Conus hieroglyphus) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
Elegant Brittle Star (Ophiolepis elegans)
Sea lettuce (Ulva lactuca) - Seagrass & Algae
West Indian Alphabet Cone (Conus spurius) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
Orca (Orcinus orca) - Whales & Dolphins
Blackspot Grenadier (Coelorinchus caelorhincus) - Reef Fish
Atlantic Midshipman (Porichthys plectrodon) - Reef Fish
Common Atlantic Grenadier (Nezumia aequalis) - Reef Fish
Sand Dollar (Clypeaster subdepressus) - Sea Urchins
Pacific Spotted Scorpionfish (Scorpaena plumieri) - Reef Fish
Eyed Flounder (Bothus ocellatus) - Reef Fish
Shortnose batfish (Ogcocephalus nasutus) - Reef Fish
Lesser Starlet Coral (Siderastrea radians) - Hard Corals
Finger Coral (Porites porites) - Hard Corals

Recommended Packing List for CLAUDIA

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