The history of navigation spans thousands of years, filled with stories of real-life pirates and groundbreaking inventions. No wonder shipwrecks occasionally appear in unexpected places, offering glimpses of human achievements. Aviation follows a similar pattern, with skilled pilots soaring through the skies at unimaginable speeds. Yet, remnants of this pursuit also rest on the seabed. Once symbols of agility, precision, and fearlessness, these wrecks now attract snorkelers seeking pieces of the past among colorful fishes and thriving turbinaria gardens.
Diving in Aruba often centers around colossal ships like the SS Antilla, a German freighter from the 1940s, or the SS Pedernalis, an oil tanker that frequently visited Venezuelan refineries in the past. However, few realize that the island’s calm waters also conceal wrecks of a different kind; machines that once reigned above. Hence, the brief mention of wings, cockpits, and landing gear in the previous paragraph. Curious? Keep reading to uncover their stories and locations.
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Diving in Aruba: Historical wrecks and a thriving marine ecosystem
Diving in Aruba comes along with surprises such as colorful tropical fish and imposing aircraft from the last century. Credit: Karl Callwood/Unsplash
Aruba’s territorial waters hold the wreckage of not one, but two aircrafts. Unlike what many might expect, these vessels are not tied to a sad, tragic ending. In fact, both were deliberately sunk! According to the local tourism office, the goal was to contribute to the creation of a “coral reef” and establish new diving spots… And considering the success of this industry in recent years, they certainly succeeded!
The DC-3 and the YS-11, your new favorite attractions in Aruba
At this point, you are probably wondering about the backgrounds of these enigmatic flying vehicles. Well, we can tell you they are as curious as they are exciting. First, we have the DC-3 (Convair 240), which measured 66 feet in length and could carry up to 40 passengers in its golden days. The SV Sugar Shack website explains that it was “confiscated in the late 1980s during a drug bust” and then “sunk by local authorities”. Some sources claim the latter occurred in shallow waters, but Hurricane Lenny split the fuselage in 1999 and carried it to greater underwater levels.
You can now find the DC-3 in the Sonesta Coral Reef zone. Conveniently, this is right in front Palm Beach, a renowned spot for diving in Aruba. The island’s tourism office notes that the people in charge dismantled “pilot’s cabin” and removed all the doors. But far from taking away its charm, these modifications make it easier to enter and exit comfortably while admiring the sponges and soft corals swarming its walls.
Second, but not least, is the YS-11. Though it was manufactured in Japan, this aircraft “was part of the Air Aruba fleet” before the company’s bankruptcy in 2004. Afterward, the Aruba Water Sports Association received it as a donation and was responsible for its sinking. It now rests in front of Renaissance Island, where its 45-foot length creates the illusion that it is just about to take off. We turn again to the SV Sugar Shack website because it clarifies that the cockpit remains “intact,” making it the ideal spot for unique and interesting photographs.
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Tips for a successful adventure
Although you can reach them on your own, the best way to discover these planes is with the guidance of an expert. Credit: Vlad Tchompalov/Unsplash
Whether it is your first or your tenth Caribbean vacation, we always recommend adding diving in Aruba to your itinerary for an memorable experience. All in all, note that, if you are new to this activity, visiting these spots with local experts is essential. They will not only teach you the proper techniques and safety procedures but also provide fascinating facts about each site that you might not find online.
The advice above is especially relevant to this article’s topic. Why? Because some travelers have reported difficulty finding these aircrafts, as their moorings have broken off in the past, leading to drift dives (exciting, but better suited for experienced divers). Companies like S.E. Aruba Fly & Dive offer different courses to master the hobby and tours to explore Aruba‘s most popular wrecks.
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