JADS Dive Center
JADS Dive Center
5
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
About
By working in small groups this allows us the flexibility to adapt to our guests experience a/o needs. Most of our guests are boat diving from our 36' vessel conveniently docked behind the airport.We make scuba diving on your Aruba vacation convenient and enjoyable.Once you arrive at JADS you are more then a guest; you become family. On property: Bar & Grill, rinse area, washrooms...All experience levels are welcomed.
San Nicolas, Aruba
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Awards
Travellers' Choice
2022
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
1,398 reviews
Excellent
1,309
Very good
68
Average
7
Poor
7
Terrible
7
Brammeier
1 contribution
Jan. 2023 • Solo
A friend of mine on the island recommended I contact them for diving. I emailed them from their website. They then sent me a list of available dives and prices. Once i picked what i wanted, paying and confirmation were very easy. I booked 2, 2 tank dives and had some great diving! They did not disappoint and i would definitely recommend and use them again!
Written January 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Norman B
2 contributions
Jan. 2023
Group of 3 couples. We arranged for a private excursion. One couple did scuba diving while the other 2 couples snorkeled. We visited two sites -- both were spectacular.
The JADS team was easy to work with. One important item: they actually answered emails and answered their phone!! So many of the other diving operations I contacted on Aruba simply could not be reached at all or were extremely slow to respond. They provided all of the documents in advance. We signed, scanned and returned the documents the week before the trip. This meant there was no paperwork to be done before we started. We just jumped on the boat and took off! Who wants to do paperwork when you are excited to go!?
We had rented a van for our trip, so drive to the marina. There was plenty of parking and there were no other cars there when we arrived at 8:15 AM. JADS will arrange for pickup and dropoff at your hotel if you want that.
They provided a scuba guide, a snorkeling guide and a boat captain for this custom excursion. They also provided soft drinks (we told them we did not consume alcohol -- so don't know what they normally provide), sandwiches and other snacks.
The boat is not fancy (no dive boats are fancy -- don't expect a luxury cruise). There is no bathroom on the boat. Make sure you go before you go! There were bathrooms in the marina.
The boat was well equipped, well organized and the crew were ready for every eventuality. The scuba tank "snaps" on the sides of the boat were extremely helpful for getting into and our of the scuba gear.
We spent about 10-15 mins at the pier getting ready, then about 15-20 minutes boating to our first site. We spent about an hour at the first site then boated about 15-20 mins to the second site, where we spent another hour, followed by a return trip of about 15 minutes. They chose sites close to their marina to maximize our time in the water. We had arranged for more time, to visit a third site, but one of the group was not feeling well and we decided not to stretch ourselves any more.
The two scuba divers were recently certified and this was their first ocean dive. The scuba master was helpful, informative and fun. They had a GREAT time on their dives.
The four snorkelers also had a great time and saw many types of coral and a wide variety of sea life. The snorkel guide was extremely informative, pointing out the various types of coral and fish. We were hoping to see a sea turtle, but alas, they were not in the area.
If you go snorkeling and you are not an excellent swimmer and in good physical shape, I strongly recommend that you use the snorkel vests. I wore myself out on the first snorkel site because I did not wear the vest. I enjoyed the second dive much more because I used the snorkel vest and could concentrate on what I was seeing versus working to stay afloat and stay up with the group. Alas, because I had worn myself out on the first stop, I was not able to stay in the water very long on the second snorkeling stop.
To our delight, both the scuba master and the snorkel guide took underwater cameras on the excursions and provided downloads of the shots. We were concerned because none of us had a way to take underwater pictures. We will certainly treasure the many, many pictures they took.
One of the guides, Sue, also makes jewelry and other trinkets out of lion fish shells. The lion fish is a non-native predator fish that does a lot of harm. There are lion fish hunts conducted regularly on the island in an attempt to eradicate them as much as possible. Sue participates in these hunts, eats the delicious white meat and then turns the shells into jewelry. We had been looking for local artists for souvenirs (rather than the "made in china" stuff you find in tourist shops all over the island). Make sure you take some cash with you to buy items from her!!
After the dive, we drove down to Baby Beach where JADS has an office and store. There was no one manning the store at that time, but there was a sign saying the restaurant staff would open the store for us, which they did. We purchased a few more shirts and some of us bought their top-end snorkel gear. They also allowed us to exchange the t-shirt they gave us on the boat for different colors and prints.
All-in-all, this was an EXCELLENT experience and highly recommended. It was a true highlight of our week-long trip to Aruba.
The JADS team was easy to work with. One important item: they actually answered emails and answered their phone!! So many of the other diving operations I contacted on Aruba simply could not be reached at all or were extremely slow to respond. They provided all of the documents in advance. We signed, scanned and returned the documents the week before the trip. This meant there was no paperwork to be done before we started. We just jumped on the boat and took off! Who wants to do paperwork when you are excited to go!?
We had rented a van for our trip, so drive to the marina. There was plenty of parking and there were no other cars there when we arrived at 8:15 AM. JADS will arrange for pickup and dropoff at your hotel if you want that.
They provided a scuba guide, a snorkeling guide and a boat captain for this custom excursion. They also provided soft drinks (we told them we did not consume alcohol -- so don't know what they normally provide), sandwiches and other snacks.
The boat is not fancy (no dive boats are fancy -- don't expect a luxury cruise). There is no bathroom on the boat. Make sure you go before you go! There were bathrooms in the marina.
The boat was well equipped, well organized and the crew were ready for every eventuality. The scuba tank "snaps" on the sides of the boat were extremely helpful for getting into and our of the scuba gear.
We spent about 10-15 mins at the pier getting ready, then about 15-20 minutes boating to our first site. We spent about an hour at the first site then boated about 15-20 mins to the second site, where we spent another hour, followed by a return trip of about 15 minutes. They chose sites close to their marina to maximize our time in the water. We had arranged for more time, to visit a third site, but one of the group was not feeling well and we decided not to stretch ourselves any more.
The two scuba divers were recently certified and this was their first ocean dive. The scuba master was helpful, informative and fun. They had a GREAT time on their dives.
The four snorkelers also had a great time and saw many types of coral and a wide variety of sea life. The snorkel guide was extremely informative, pointing out the various types of coral and fish. We were hoping to see a sea turtle, but alas, they were not in the area.
If you go snorkeling and you are not an excellent swimmer and in good physical shape, I strongly recommend that you use the snorkel vests. I wore myself out on the first snorkel site because I did not wear the vest. I enjoyed the second dive much more because I used the snorkel vest and could concentrate on what I was seeing versus working to stay afloat and stay up with the group. Alas, because I had worn myself out on the first stop, I was not able to stay in the water very long on the second snorkeling stop.
To our delight, both the scuba master and the snorkel guide took underwater cameras on the excursions and provided downloads of the shots. We were concerned because none of us had a way to take underwater pictures. We will certainly treasure the many, many pictures they took.
One of the guides, Sue, also makes jewelry and other trinkets out of lion fish shells. The lion fish is a non-native predator fish that does a lot of harm. There are lion fish hunts conducted regularly on the island in an attempt to eradicate them as much as possible. Sue participates in these hunts, eats the delicious white meat and then turns the shells into jewelry. We had been looking for local artists for souvenirs (rather than the "made in china" stuff you find in tourist shops all over the island). Make sure you take some cash with you to buy items from her!!
After the dive, we drove down to Baby Beach where JADS has an office and store. There was no one manning the store at that time, but there was a sign saying the restaurant staff would open the store for us, which they did. We purchased a few more shirts and some of us bought their top-end snorkel gear. They also allowed us to exchange the t-shirt they gave us on the boat for different colors and prints.
All-in-all, this was an EXCELLENT experience and highly recommended. It was a true highlight of our week-long trip to Aruba.
Written January 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Glenn D
Morristown, NJ1 contribution
Jan. 2023 • Solo
Great experience & great crew! I learned a lot from the guide about the wreck we saw 👍 I had a great time & can’t wait to dive in Aruba again!
Written January 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
catherinesky2014
Washington DC, DC16 contributions
Dec. 2022 • Family
JADS did a fantastic job of providing private training for my husband and daughter to get certified…easy to work with remotely. They communicated well and the training itself was excellent. They then led two excellent group dives. Highly recommend!
Written January 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
McSparkin19
Brooklyn, NY8 contributions
Nov. 2022
I have been diving with JADS for several years. I always send them an email in advance of my trip and the set me up with a schedule of where they will be diving for the week. They are also very flexible and will bring you to various places depending on the weather or if the group is small and has a preference. The equipment is in great shape, prices are reasonable, snacks and water is available. The dive masters, pilot are amazing, and will show you the best underwater places in Aruba. I will be diving with JADS for years to come, they are the perfect mix of friendly and professional, plus, I have never run out of air! lol
Thanks again Sue and the gang! See you next year!
Thanks again Sue and the gang! See you next year!
Written January 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
G4959AYjeffg
London, Canada1 contribution
Dec. 2022
My daughter and I did 7 dives with JADS over the Christmas holidays, Susan was great from the first email. She made booking easy and sent clear instructions about where to meet the boat and what to expect. The equipment was in good condition and properly sized. Her dive briefings were short but complete. The groups were small and well organized from getting in the water until back on the dock.
We did a night dive with Rudolph so have to add that he was a great guide as well. He is very knowledgeable and entertaining.
I would recommend them for a great dive experience.
We did a night dive with Rudolph so have to add that he was a great guide as well. He is very knowledgeable and entertaining.
I would recommend them for a great dive experience.
Written January 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Chris Trunnell
1 contribution
Dec. 2022 • Family
Rudolph was great it was the first time diving for myself and my 3 kids. He was knowledgeable and patient. He used humor to relax us throughout our training and dive. What an amazing experience!
Written December 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Heather L
8 contributions
Dec. 2022 • Family
I wish I could rate higher than 5 stars! We dove with JADS while in Aruba. Leading up to our trip we had a lot of coordinating to do as 2 of us needed to do resort dives, 2 of us needed to do referral dives and 1 of us was already certified. Susan did an AMAZING job and was so responsive with all of our questions. Our diving went off without a hitch! All of the guides were awesome and our dives were enjoyable. We did 3 reef dives and 1 wreck dive and had a great time on all of them! Eric guided and trained me through my referral dives and was incredibly insightful and helpful. I would highly recommend JADS to anyone visiting Aruba! We will be back for sure.
Written December 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
TropicalMik
Chicago, IL20 contributions
Dec. 2022 • Friends
Back from 3 years again had a great time diving with Susan and the gang. Solid operation and always good shooting the S$&T with all on board during the times on the surface. They’ll be used regularly on my return trips.
Chicago Michael
Chicago Michael
Written December 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jack R
2 contributions
Nov. 2022 • Family
Most relaxing dive to date! Sue and her crew really go above to ensure a great day with lots of memories! Highly recommend! Full dive shop, check out their gear too!
Written December 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jschwerz
Stony Brook, NY2 contributions
Hi, I've read in the reviews that instructors will pick you up from your hotel and take you to your dive site. Does that mean any hotel, or one specific area? Thanks in advance!
joernp13
Forest Row, UK5 contributions
As fare as I know it could be anywhere. I was picked up at the Cruiseship terminal.
Jill T
South Royalton, VT10 contributions
My wife and I are travelling to Aruba and staying at La Cabana Beach Resort and Casino. We are not certified in Scuba diving but would like to get certified and dive. We will be arriving June 29 and staying for five days. Do you have classes and are available to take us rookies? What is the cost? THANKS!
BTidball
14 contributions
We had travelers with us who went through their certification course while on vacation. They took great care of everyone in our party. I think you’ll be pleased with them.
Obiewankenobi
Key Largo, FL60 contributions
I am a certified diver but it has been a while since I have dived. I could use a little patience and hand-holding to get up to speed. Would that be a problem? Also I have no equipment (zero).
Karen K
Nanaimo, Canada96 contributions
I have gone with JADS dozens of time. Just let Sue or any of the team know that you are a bit rusty ahead of your dive date so they can factor that in. They have always been very accommodating from what I've seen. They also offer refreshers if you prefer that route. That said, I have gone with them and seen everything from newbies to experienced divers work with the group. They can provide any equipment you need and I have found much of it to be better than other places I have gone. The only thing is a wetsuit of your own is really nice if you can swing it. 3mm full or shorty is fine as water is so warm.
mkenn363
Michigan City, IN2 contributions
we dove with you last year on your boat near the airport. . Do you ever do the southern reefs drift dives. Most of our dives last year were near the dump, and heard we would see more reefs if we can dive near your shop. Do you have 2 boats at different places?
Steve T
1 contribution
Hi mkenn
I was a visitor diver , but i think i can answer that question.
They do dives on different locations on different days, so if i'm correct the Wednesdays is near their shop and its one boat that move from location.
For correct information please send them an email :P
lhsartin
White Lake, NC
Do they offer beginner lessons?
JADSDIVEARUBA
2 contributions
Yes, we do. Trip advisor does not allow me to send my email and website information to you. Please google JADS Dive Center Aruba and then send us an email and I will send you all the information that you need.
Barry W
Fort Worth, TX42 contributions
We be coming by ship would like to dive with you. looks like late afternoon. will this be problem?
clayrufus
San Diego, CA10 contributions
Just email them directly at Jads (just go to their website for email address). They're very good about a prompt response. I suspect they may do a charter.
giuntamom
Boston, MA25 contributions
We are staying at the Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino in October. Tried diving in deep water once but could not do. Would like to walk in off beach. Is that possible up near our hotel? Where are you located? What is the cost?
Thank you.
Crazy_Bill_Florida
Florida53 contributions
Yes. One day they picked up at the dock in front of your hotel. We had a reef dive a 30 feet and a wreck dive at 40 feet right off shore. The wreck is called Antilla. Both of these are easy. Just talk to them about wanting a shallow dive and your reservations. Tell them you are interested in shallow dives. They are super cool about accommodating their guests.
AlanH1
Morton Grove, IL285 contributions
Hi, thinking about diving the week of Thanksgiving this year. We have dove all around the Caribbean and Central America/Mexico and I was wondering what people thought of the diving in Aruba? Thanks all!
Alan
bevsensualparty
Pompano Beach, FL190 contributions
LOVED EVERY DIVE I TOOK IN ARUBA.
I was there this past christmas, the people at JADS dive shop was on point for everything. Totally recommend them.
I will be diving with them next time I'm in Aruba, maybe even for thanksgiving!
84NancyP
Gulf Shores, AL234 contributions
My husband and I are stopping in Aruba for one day of our Princess cruise on October 29. We are only scheduled to be in port from 1:00-7:00. Would it be possible to make arrangements for a 2-tank dive for that afternoon? We are both experienced divers, but we do not want to haul our gear aboard the ship for one afternoon of diving during the cruise.
Thank you,
Nancy
bevsensualparty
Pompano Beach, FL190 contributions
I know you probably have the answer to your question already.
Like everyone said earlier, contact them directly, they will make the accommodations, including picking you up from the port. If memory serves me correctly, they did a boat dive from the pier behind the holiday inn. Which is closer than where the regular boat dives leaves from. In any case, all your diving needs are met and will be waiting for you on the boat. Contact Sue directly, you won't be disappointed.
Have a great time
Beverly