A first round of research on Aruba’s top snorkeling spots usually highlights the famous SS Antilla, Mangel Halto, Boca Catalina, and, at times, the airplanes near Renaissance Island. Many travelers stop there, and that is completely fine. Our vacay selves don’t always have to channel Magellan, right? Still, digging deeper always pays off. It reveals off-the-beaten-path shipwrecks draped in coral, framed by algae, and wrapped in mystery. One of them is the Jane Sea, also known as the Jane Cocaine.
Did you keep reading because that nickname caught your attention? We felt the same when we first heard it. Apparently, the Jane Sea was a European vessel originally used to transport cement, later found with illegal cargo on board. Curious about what happened next? Here is the full story behind this intriguing shipwreck in Aruba (plus details on how to see it in person!).
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The Jane Sea: From misty shipyards to a watery grave
Eerie and enigmatic. Those are the first words that come to mind when we see the few existing photos of the Jane Sea online. Today, its wreck stands as a testament to the decades since it was deliberately sunk and to how nature slowly reclaims its space. Nevertheless, like other shipwrecks in Aruba and the Caribbean, it stirs curiosity. We can almost see the paint on its hull gleaming with promise, ready to sail from Europe all the way to the Americas.
The original name of the Jane Sea (not pictured here) was Blackthorne, perhaps referring to some of its physical characteristics. Credit: Olga ga/Unsplash
As with the photographs, records of Jane C‘s past, also going by that name, remain scarce. According to Willem Submerged, construction began on December 30, 1959, at the Westerbroek SW Shipyard in northern Netherlands. Builders completed it in just three months and its first departure took place in the United Kingdom. It sailed under the British flag, managed by S. William Coe. & Co. Ltd. At that time, “Blackthorn” measured between 170 and 190 feet long and weighed around 750 tons.
The same website explains that the freighter became “Rudyard” in 1976 after its conversion “into an aggregates carrier”. In 1980, S&D Shipping Ltd. acquired it and registered under the name we now associate with this shipwreck in Aruba. That happened in the UK… So, how did it end up in the Caribbean Sea? With only tales to go on, we may never be certain.
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Locals claim that, in the late 1980s, the Jane Sea carried cement from Venezuela to Aruba. As we mentioned earlier, one of its shipments also included a peculiar and illicit white powder. Naturally, this discovery led authorities to seize the vessel. Its owners never bothered to claim it, prompting a “group of divers” to scuttle it on September 4, 1988. Their goal was to create an artificial reef near De Palm Island, located about a 15-minute drive from Oranjestad.
Today, the Jane Sea is one of the top spots for experienced divers on the island. Resting about 100 feet below the surface, its once jet-black exterior hosts thriving coral, including gorgonians, sponges and clusters of vibrant orange cups. As for marine life, expect to encounter a wide variety of species, such as octopuses, groupers, moray eels, and, most notably, barracudas.
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How to go snorkeling in the Jane Sea?
You will find several Aruban companies that list the Jane Sea as one of their dive stops. Credit: Leonardo Lamas/Pexels
Since Aruba is surrounded by beautiful turquoise waters, there are plenty of companies that provide snorkeling and diving classes, as well as tours to its top aquatic attractions. However, finding one that includes the Jane Sea in its offers can be tricky. Not because this shipwreck in Aruba lacks appeal, but because it rarely appears in tourist guides or on platforms such as TripAdvisor (and can only be accessed by boat). We looked into it and, sure enough, luck was on our side.
The website Upon Arriving states that JADS Dive Center Aruba offers tours to the Jane Sea wreck. Every Monday at 9 a.m., their guides visit this location and also explore Barcadera Reef, which lies just off the port. The company also runs trips to Sponge Reef, Barrel Gardens, the Topaz wreck, and other sites, plus courses and equipment rentals. Meanwhile, S.E. Aruba Fly n Dive includes the Jane Sea in its 2-tank diving excursions for small groups. Mermaid Dive Center, on the other hand, promotes its 1.5-hour outings as a good opportunity for photography lovers.
Before you book an excursion, keep in mind that those who have already explored this shipwreck in Aruba say it suits advanced divers. That is due to its depth and the occasional mix of strong currents. Once there, stay along its perimeter; the tilted hull will eventually collapse to one side. Now that you know the full story, you can picture yourself swimming around the Jane Sea, and glimpsing its early days on the British shores.
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