ORANJESTAD - Aruba Leeward Coast

The Oranjestad wreck isn't just a dive, it's a history lesson playing out at 41 metres. This steamship, torpedoed by a German U-boat in 1942, lies upright and remarkably intact on the sand. We love the sheer scale of it, nearly 100 metres long, making for a truly impressive silhouette against the deeper blue. Descending, you feel the water cool as the light fades, enhancing the wreck’s dramatic presence. Penetration here is possible for experienced wreck divers, with plenty of entry points into the cargo holds – just watch your buoyancy in the tighter spots. Our favourite detail has to be the huge boilers, still discernible amongst the coral growth. Schools of horse-eye jacks often swirl around the mast, and we’ve seen barracuda hanging motionless off the bow, eyeing us with casual indifference. This isn’t a shallow reef full of colour, but a deep, moody dive perfect for those who appreciate the quiet majesty of a sunken titan and the solemn beauty of history reclaimed by the sea. Expect cooler thermoclines down here, so a 5mm suit is a good call.

Location: Aruba Leeward Coast, Aruba, Caribbean
Coordinates: 12.408778, -69.895330
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 41m

Marine Protected Area: Oostpunt

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 ORANJESTAD

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 ORANJESTAD

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