Airplane Wrecks

Airplane Wrecks is another fantastic dive site in Aruba that you won't come across very often. This one-of-a-kind dive site features the wrecks of two planes that were deliberately sunk to create an artificial reef. Hurricane Lenny split the DC-3 in two and dragged it to 80 feet of water in 1999. Other parts of the DC-3 can be found on a reef at a depth of 45 feet. This dive site is an exciting opportunity for any diver to see coral reefs growing on manmade objects that used to soar from the sky.

S-11 was sunk in 2004 and is still intact, with the exception of a shattered nosecone that allows easy access to its interior. Some marine life has been able to seek refuge as a result of this. Have your diving camera handy and capture the stunning corals bordering the planes. An underwater drone would also make it easier to capture those sea creatures that are hiding in the nooks and crannies on the film.

What you'll see: Aside from the unusual sight of planes lying on the seafloor, these metal structures have become somewhat overgrown with coral polyp colonies. Entire ecosystems have formed, and you can easily swim around the planes, taking your time to observe the bat fish, angelfish, eels, crabs, shrimps, and other creatures scuttling around.

• Type: Airplanewreck
• Depth: 61-70ft/19-21m.
• Location: Sonesta reef just off the coast, Aruba