SOFIA M - Aruba Leeward Coast
The Sofia M, a large tanker that met its end in 1968, sits upright in just 8 meters of water, making it a great option for newer divers or those looking for a long, shallow bottom time. At 148 meters long, she’s a substantial wreck, even if time and the elements have taken their toll. You’ll spend your dive exploring what remains of the hull and superstructure, which have become home to schools of snapper and grunt. Look closely and you might spot a moray eel peeking from a crevice or a barracuda gliding past. It's a relaxed dive, perfect for a slow exploration of a historical vessel.
- Location
- Aruba Leeward Coast, Aruba, Caribbean
- Coordinates
- 12.470833, -71.663890
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 8m
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
- Airplanes (Wreck) (cave)
- Airplanes (Wreck) (wreck)
- Antilla (Wreck) (wreck)
- Antilla (Wreck) (reef)
- Antilla Wreck - 5-18m (wreck)
- Arashi Reef - 5-15m (reef)
- Arashi (Wreck) (wreck)
- Arashi (Wreck) (reef)
- Aruba (wreck)
- Aruba (reef)
- Barcadera Reef (reef)
- Barcadera Reef (reef)
- Blue Reef / Debbie II (Wreck) (wreck)
- Blue Reef / Debbie II (Wreck) (wreck)
- BORBURATA - 22m (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to SOFIA M
- Aqua Windies
- Aruba Watersafety Institute - SSI
- Fly and Dive
- JADS Dive Center - ["PADI"]
- Nautilus Dive Center Aruba - ["PADI"]
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 SOFIA M
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