Pack light, dive comfortably
Aruba Dive Gear
Aruba dive gear is simple to pack because the water is warm all year. Here's the wetsuit to bring, what's worth carrying from home, what to rent on the island, and the sunscreen rule that catches visitors out.
Exposure protection: what wetsuit for Aruba?
Aruba's water is warm all year, so you won't need a thick suit. Most divers are comfortable in a 3 mm wetsuit, either a shorty or a full suit. A full-length suit protects your arms and legs from scrapes, stings and sunburn, which is worth having on shore dives with rocky entries. If you feel the cold easily, or you plan to do three or four dives a day for a week, a full 3 mm suit with a thin hood or vest will keep you comfortable longer.
Some divers in the warmest months dive in a rash guard alone. That works for one shallow dive, but over several dives the steady loss of heat adds up. A thin suit is a safer choice for most people.
What to bring from home
Dive centres in Aruba rent full sets of equipment, but a few items are personal and worth bringing:
- A mask that fits your face
- Snorkel
- Dive computer
- Your own wetsuit, if you have one
- Open-heel fins and boots
- Certification card and logbook
A mask is the most important item to own. A rented mask that leaks or fogs can spoil a dive, while one that fits stays comfortable. A dive computer is the next most useful buy: it tracks your depth and no-stop time on every dive and makes repetitive diving safer. Open-heel fins with boots are a good choice for Aruba because the boots protect your feet on rocky shore diving entries.
What to rent in Aruba
Tanks and weights are always provided by the dive centre. A buoyancy control device (BCD) and regulator are bulky to travel with, and renting them is easy. If you rent, check the gear before your first dive: try the BCD inflator and dump valves, breathe from the regulator and the alternate air source, and check the pressure gauge. Ask the dive centre to swap anything you aren't happy with.
Sunscreen: the Aruba rule
Aruba has banned sunscreens that contain oxybenzone, a chemical linked to coral damage. Before you pack, read the ingredients on your sunscreen and choose one without oxybenzone. Many divers go further and use a mineral sunscreen based on zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, and cover up with a rash guard or long-sleeved shirt on the boat instead of using lots of lotion.
Reef-friendly habits matter more than any product. Put sunscreen on well before you get in the water so it has time to absorb, and cover up with clothing where you can. Good buoyancy, keeping your fins off the coral and not touching anything protect Aruba's reefs far more. See our Aruba reef dive sites guide for where you'll be using them.
Safety extras worth packing
These small items take up little space and make every dive safer, especially on shore dives and in boat traffic:
- Surface marker buoy (SMB)
- Whistle or audible signal
- Small dive light
- Cutting tool
- Spare mask strap and O-rings
- Anti-fog for your mask
A dive light is useful on the wrecks, where light fades in the holds and under the hull. It brings back the real colour of corals and sponges at depth. Find out where you'll use it in our Aruba wreck diving guide.
Looking after your gear on the island
Salt, sun and sand are hard on dive equipment. Rinse everything in fresh water after each day of diving, including your computer, mask and the inside of your BCD. Most dive centres have rinse tanks you can use. Dry wetsuits and BCDs in the shade, because Aruba's strong sun breaks down neoprene and fades straps quickly. Keep your mask in its box between dives so it doesn't get scratched in a crowded gear bag, and rinse any sand from your fin buckles and boot zips before it wears them out.
For the surface interval
Aruba is sunny and dry, so bring a hat, sunglasses, a reusable water bottle and a light layer for the boat ride back. Seasickness tablets are worth packing if you are prone to it, even though the west coast is usually calm.
Aruba dive gear FAQ
What thickness wetsuit do I need in Aruba?
A 3 mm wetsuit is right for most divers, as a shorty or full suit. Choose a full suit if you feel the cold or plan several dives a day.
Can I rent all my scuba gear in Aruba?
Yes. Dive centres rent complete sets, and tanks and weights are always provided. Many divers bring their own mask and dive computer for comfort and safety.
What sunscreen can I use in Aruba?
Use a sunscreen without oxybenzone, which Aruba has banned. Mineral sunscreens based on zinc oxide are a popular choice with divers.
Gear packed? Plan the rest of the trip
When to go, flights, entry paperwork and the fly-after-diving rule.