Mangel Halto - Aruba Leeward Coast

Mangel Halto is one of those spots we always point people towards when they ask about easy shore diving in Aruba. You’ll gear up right there on the small beach, then walk through a narrow channel in the mangroves. It’s a bit silty at first, but once you hit the open water, the reef wall drops away gently, starting at just a few metres. We love dropping in around midday when the sun hits the top of the wall just right, illuminating the crevices. We’ve spotted countless colourful nudibranchs tucked into the sponges, and often see schools of Atlantic bumper shimmering off the main wall. Keep an eye out for spotted goatfish rooting around in the sand patches. Our favourite part has to be the calm, shallow sections where the coral gardens are just packed with life, making it perfect for new divers or those who just want a relaxed, long bottom time. Max depth is around 20 metres, so it’s a site you can really explore without feeling rushed.

Location
Aruba Leeward Coast, Aruba, Caribbean
Coordinates
12.460000, -69.970000
Type
reef
Maximum Depth
3-20m
Difficulty
Beginner

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 Mangel Halto

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 Mangel Halto

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