EL GUAIQUERI - Aruba Leeward Coast

El Guaiqueri is one of our favourite shallow wrecks, perfect for a long, relaxed dive or even a snorkel if the conditions are calm. This isn't a deep plunge; the wreck sits in just 4 metres of water, so you get incredible light penetration, painting the scene in blues and greens. She ran aground back in '83, a victim of a navigational error and then some serious pillaging, but what's left is a substantial, easily explored shell. We love finning slowly over her 75-metre length, peering into the open holds where schooling grunt and snapper often hang out, feeling the slight sway of the water around us. The superstructure is particularly fun to navigate, with plenty of swim-throughs and crevices for moray eels and lobsters. Look closely at the hull plates for the small stuff – blennies peering out of holes, tiny crabs scuttling across the growth. The visibility here is usually excellent, making it a brilliant spot for photographers, especially when the sun is high. If you're looking for a low-stress wreck dive with plenty to see without the pressure of depth or complex navigation, El Guaiqueri is a real winner.

Location: Aruba Leeward Coast, Aruba, Caribbean
Coordinates: 12.445000, -71.543335
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 4m

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 EL GUAIQUERI

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 EL GUAIQUERI

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