Private First-Time Dive in Aruba. Reef, Wreck or Turtle site
Recommended by 97% of travelers
Aruba
- 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Why travelers loved this
·
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
What's Included
- Use of Scuba equipmentUse of SCUBA equipment
- Pick up service for max 8 persons
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
What To Expect
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- Must have basic swimming skills
- Please keep at least 18 hours between your dive and any flight.
- Must fill out the medical questionnaire we’ll provide over the messaging board.
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Frank_P
AWESOME experience. Group of 3, pickup was right on time, location of the dive was fantastic. Instructor was thorough, friendly, and alleviated any fears of our first dive. Dive was incredible - around the boat & the reef. Definitely repeat next time in Aruba!
Reviews
4.9
based on 257 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Sheila_J, Jul 2026
Excellent experience with an even more excellent tour guide. Some beautiful views and fun for divers of all levels. Simply excellent!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
We really appreciate you choosing to dive with us and hope to welcome you back for another underwater adventure the next time you're in Aruba!
Emmalee_B, Jul 2026
Ray was an amazing instructor! He took time to explain and make sure we had everything we needed to feel safe and ready for our dive!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thanks so much for your wonderful review! We're so happy to hear that Ray made you feel safe, confident, and well prepared throughout your dive. We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to him, he'll really appreciate them. Thanks for choosing to dive with us, and we hope to welcome you back for another underwater adventure soon!
Dorothy_B, Jun 2026
Alan was fabulous! Great instructor, very attentive and super personality! Plan to dive with him again next year!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words!
We're exited to hear you had such a great dive with Alan. We'll be sure to pass along your compliments, he'll really appreciate them! His enthusiasm, attention to detail, and passion for diving make every experience special.
alicia_v, Jun 2026
alan was a great teacher he made sure i was good the whole time down and made me feel comfortable to ask questions and for help he took amazing pictures and he was really funny we went pretty far down and saw cool fishes and crabs 10/10 experience
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for the awesome review!
We're thrilled to hear that you had such a great experience with Alan. Making sure our divers feel comfortable, confident, and able to ask as many questions as they need is a huge part of what we do, so we're happy to hear he helped make the dive enjoyable from start to finish.
It sounds like you had some great underwater encounters too!
Austin_F, Jun 2026
Our instructor was phenomenal. We had such a good time and cant wait to do it again. Alan was a blast! He made us feel very at easy and comfortable with our 1st ever dive.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
We're thrilled to hear that you had such a great first diving experience. Helping new divers feel comfortable and confident underwater is one of our favorite things, and we're glad Alan was able to make the experience both fun and relaxing.
We really appreciate you choosing to dive with us, and we'd love to take you back underwater whenever you return to Aruba!
Sarah_R, May 2026
I don't think I could have had a better instructor for my first dive. Alan is both patient and peaceful, and has a beautiful way of projecting that even (actually I should say especially) underwater. He's so comfortable beneath the surface I think he might be part fish himself! For anyone who has yet to dive, you realize very quickly that the person guiding you plays a huge role in how your experience unfolds. I'm extremely grateful for Alan and Underdog Divers creating a beautiful first experience for me. It is one that in turn will create the desire to go back many more times. Thank you so much!
Response from Host, May 2026
Wow, thank you so much for this incredibly thoughtful review. Reading words like these truly means the world to us.
We are so happy to hear that Alan was able to make your very first dive such a beautiful and comfortable experience. You are absolutely right, your instructor plays a huge role during those first moments underwater, and creating a calm, patient, and pressure free environment is exactly what we believe diving should be about. We had a big smile reading the part about Alan possibly being part fish himself!
One of the reasons we only offer private experiences is because it allows us to fully adjust to each person's pace and comfort level. We truly believe that when people feel relaxed and supported underwater, it opens the door to falling in love with diving for life.
Braden_K, May 2026
Incredible experience, including the thorough explanation of how to operate everything beforehand from the very sweet Pauline. Awesome wildlife viewing and even got to see a very cool shipwreck. Couldn’t have started off vacation in Aruba any better
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re so happy to hear you had such an incredible experience with us, and that the briefing beforehand helped you feel comfortable and ready for the adventure ahead. Seeing amazing marine life and exploring a shipwreck really does make for a special start to a vacation!
It was a pleasure having you with us, and we hope the rest of your time in Aruba was just as memorable.
Victoria_B, May 2026
Overall wonderful experience! Highly recommend using Google for WhatsApp number the one through viator gave me trouble to contact but super easy after that. Alan was our instructor and he was amazing. As a first time diver he was attentive, hands on, and made this the highlight of our trip!
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you so much for this amazing review! We’re really happy to hear that Alan made your first diving experience such a special one. Creating a safe, comfortable, and personal experience for first time divers is exactly what we aim for, so it means a lot to hear that it became the highlight of your trip.
We also appreciate you mentioning the WhatsApp contact issue through Viator, that feedback is very helpful for future guests as well.
We hope to welcome you back underwater again someday!
Evgeniy_S, May 2026
Private lesson: one on one experience, very relaxing, no pressure learning. 5 min shallow water skills then 10meters dive around sunken boat and nearby coral reef. Pauline is the best! Will do it with a spouse next time since no prior training required.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you so much for the amazing review! 😊
We are really happy to hear that you enjoyed the private one on one experience and felt relaxed and comfortable throughout the dive. That is exactly the kind of experience we aim to create, no pressure, just taking things step by step and enjoying the underwater world at your own pace.
It sounds like you had an awesome first dive
And thank you so much for the kind words about Pauline! We would absolutely love to welcome you and your spouse for another adventure together in the future.
addison_r, May 2026
It was awesome!! Can’t wait to dive again. Even though it was my first time I felt super comfortable. Thanks Alan 🧜♀️
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you so much for the awesome review! 😊
We absolutely love hearing that you felt super comfortable, especially on your very first dive. That is always one of our biggest goals, making sure everyone feels safe, relaxed, and able to truly enjoy the experience.
We’ll definitely pass your kind words along to Alan, he’ll be really happy to hear this!
Hopefully this was just the beginning of many more dives to come 🌊🐢
Courtney_C, May 2026
Our instructor, Alan, was amazing. He was able to instruct us to learn the basics. My husband had some anxiety with learning to breathe with the regulator but he was able
To teach him techniques to learn to breathe normally. Got to see a turtle!!
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! 😊
We are really happy to hear that you had such a great experience with Alan. Learning to breathe comfortably through a regulator can feel a little unusual at first, so it’s great to hear he was able to help your husband work through the anxiety and build confidence underwater.
And seeing a turtle always makes the experience even more special 🐢
Thank you again for choosing to dive with us, and we hope to welcome you both back for more underwater adventures in the future!
Taylor_R, May 2026
This was a fantastic first diving experience for my husband and I. Pauline was so friendly and knowledgeable. She was patient and easygoing. We can't wait to book our next excursion with her again on our next visit.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you so much for this, it really means a lot to us.
We love hearing that your first diving experience was such a great one, that’s always something special to be part of. We are super happy to hear you felt comfortable and at ease, that’s exactly what we aim for.
We’d absolutely love to have you back in the water with us next time you’re on the island.
Jaime_I, May 2026
Dive was great, saw lots of sea life and felt safe and prepared. Our instructor, Alan, was knowledgeable and informed us every step of the way. There was a miscommunication with the transportation, but was rectified.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for your awesome review, we really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.
We’re very happy to hear you had a great dive, saw lots of marine life, and felt safe and well prepared throughout. That’s exactly the experience we aim to create, and Alan will be happy to hear your kind words about his guidance.
We also appreciate you mentioning the transportation miscommunication. While we’re glad it was resolved, we’ll take this as a learning point to keep improving and make everything as smooth as possible from start to finish.
Hope to welcome you back again for another dive in the future.
Mike_G, Apr 2026
This was so much fun. Underdog was very communicative before the trip and responded quickly to the few questions we had. Pauline picked us up at the hotel and took us to the dive spot. It was gorgeous. She explained everything and instructed us on the equipment and what to expect. Then we got started. It was so awesome! One of my favorite excursions on a vacation yet.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you so much for taking the time to share this!
It is great to hear that everything came together smoothly, from the first contact to getting in the water. Creating a relaxed and comfortable experience is exactly what we aim for, so it really means a lot to hear that came across.
That location truly never disappoints, and we are glad you got to enjoy it the way it is meant to be experienced.
We would love to welcome you back anytime for another unforgettable dive!
Frank_P, Apr 2026
AWESOME experience. Group of 3, pickup was right on time, location of the dive was fantastic. Instructor was thorough, friendly, and alleviated any fears of our first dive. Dive was incredible - around the boat & the reef. Definitely repeat next time in Aruba!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you so much for this awesome review, we really appreciate it!
We’re so happy to hear you had such a great first dive experience and felt comfortable throughout, that’s exactly what we aim for 😊
Nice that you got to explore both the reef and the wreck, always such a cool combination!
And great to hear everything went smoothly with the pickup and planning as well.
Thanks again for diving with us, and we’d absolutely love to have you back in the water next time you’re in Aruba!
Gary_M, Apr 2026
For experienced divers to first timers diving. Pauline was very knowledgeable of the sea life. She explained what to expect on the dive. We saw tons of colorful fish around the reef. We got a close up video and photo of a sea turtle and ship wreak. It was an incredible experience. I would recommend Underdog divers for the rental equipment, knowledge of Aruba's sea life, ship wreck and mainly safety. Plus Pauline made a video with music of our discovery dive, which was awesome. I am so thank full that we chose Underdog divers for our dive experience in Aruba.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Wow, thank you so much for this, it really means a lot to us!
We’re so happy to hear you had such an incredible experience and got to see so much, colorful reef life, a turtle, and even a wreck, that’s the full Aruba combo 😊
It’s great to hear you felt well prepared and safe throughout the dive, that’s always our top priority. And Pauline will absolutely love reading this, especially that you enjoyed the video as well!
Thank you again for choosing us and for taking the time to share this, we’re really grateful. Hopefully we’ll see you back in the water with us again someday!
Shauna_G, Apr 2026
A+ Instructor had a medical situation prior to our scheduled arrival. Paulina and her team were able to find another one so we could still dive. Alan and Albert were fantastic. Alan made everyone in the group feel safe, comfortable, and confident. We were here for a day on a cruise. Alan picked us up at the cruise terminal. 10-20 minute ride to where we dove. We completed our padi confinement skills and first open dive with him. Will 100% be booking again and requesting Alan.
Thanks for being so accommodating.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
A+ Instructor had a medical situation prior to our scheduled arrival. Paulina and her team were able to find another one so we could still dive. Alan and Albert were fantastic. Alan made everyone in the group feel safe, comfortable, and confident. We were here for a day on a cruise. Alan picked us up at the cruise terminal. 10-20 minute ride to where we dove. We completed our padi confinement skills and first open dive with him. Will 100% be booking again and requesting Alan.
Thanks for being so accommodating.
Debra_W, Mar 2026
This was a great way for my teens to experience scuba. They are excited to get certified! Thanks Ray for the great dive!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
That’s awesome to hear. Getting teens excited about diving is always a win.
Ray will be happy to hear they enjoyed the dive. A first scuba experience is something people usually remember for a long time, so it’s great that it sparked their interest in getting certified.
We’d love to see them back in the water when they’re ready for the next step.
Norman_C, Mar 2026
Very safe and a hell of a time. Pauline knows what she's doing and made the dive experience fun. Bring your underwater camera!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for the awesome review.
Safe and a hell of a time is pretty much the perfect combo for a dive, so I am really happy to hear you had such a great experience. It was a lot of fun diving with you and I am glad you enjoyed it.
And yes, bringing an underwater camera is always a good call, you never know what you are going to run into down there.
Hope to see you back underwater with us next time you are in Aruba.
Jason_T, Mar 2026
Ray was amazing. He did an excellent job of explaining how everything worked and what to expect. We would definitely recommend.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words.
I am really happy to hear that Ray made everything clear and easy to understand, and that you felt comfortable during your experience. It’s always great when guests leave feeling confident and ready to enjoy the water.
Thanks again for joining us, and we would love to welcome you back on another tour in Aruba!
Amanda_W, Mar 2026
My husband and I are PADI certified and experienced, but our friends are not. They have dove one other time. Alan did a great job tailoring to the comfort level of all of us! Equipment all worked well and was in good shape.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for diving with us and for taking the time to share this. It was really great having your group in the water with us.
We always enjoy dives where there’s a mix of experienced divers and people who are newer to it. It gives us the chance to slow things down where needed and make sure everyone feels comfortable while still keeping it fun for the more experienced divers. Alan will be very happy to hear you appreciated that, he’s great at reading the group and adjusting the dive so everyone can enjoy it.
Also glad to hear the gear treated you well. We try to keep everything in good shape so our guests can just relax and focus on the underwater part.
Hopefully we’ll get to take you diving again next time you’re in Aruba.
Todd_D, Mar 2026
Alan was a great instructor. Gave us all the info we needed for a safe first dive. First ever dive was great.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for the kind words. We’re really happy to hear you had such a great first dive with Alan. He loves introducing people to the underwater world and making sure everyone feels comfortable, relaxed, and safe during the dive.
We hope this was the first of many dives for you and would love to welcome you back underwater anytime.
Ursula_H, Mar 2026
Our introduction to SCUBA first dive was life changing! We felt completely safe with our very experienced, knowlegeable and calm instructor/guide, Pauline. She is a true professional with a wonderful demeanor and is a great teacher. She clearly and calmly reviews the basics of equipment use, safety processes and theory with you in a way that is not rushed and ensures that you understand before moving on. She and her assistant Ray are both so experienced that we never had any worries! They monitored us every moment we were in the water and we felt completely at ease. Once in the shallow water she has you practice what she taught you on land until you are comfortable and then you move on to an actual dive. She and Ray were always by our side and checking with us on how we were doing so it was very comfortable. They made sure it was enjoyable too and seeing the shipwreck was amazing. My husband and I were so thoroughly amazed by this experience we will definitely continue on to get certified! We could not have asked for a better instructor or a better location!
Do not hesitate to book your intro dive with Pauline!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Hi Ursula!
Thank you so much for this amazing review. It really means a lot to us to hear that your first dive had such an impact.
Introducing people to scuba diving is always something special for us, and we are really happy to hear you felt comfortable and well taken care of throughout the whole experience. Taking the time on land and in the shallow water to make sure everything feels comfortable is such an important part of the process, so it is great to hear that made a difference for you.
We would absolutely love to see you back for your certification in Aruba. The underwater world only gets bigger from here.
Amy_B, Mar 2026
This experience was well worth the time and money spent for first time divers. Alan, our dive coach, was so knowledgeable and patient. He spent time talking with us about the island, himself, and got to know us as well before we went into the water. It was my husband and myself, and although I didn’t complete the dive (I just couldn’t get myself to exhale and stay below the water and breath comfortably), I did get out there with the gear on, try, and like I said Alan was VERY helpful and patient. I went back to shore and he took my husband out for the rest of the dive—which I hear and see by video was amazing! If you are looking to try diving and want to do it privately without a tour group, this is definitely the way to go. I do plan to try again and will be asking for the same coach!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for such a thoughtful review, we really appreciate you sharing your experience.
Trying scuba diving for the first time can be a big step, and honestly just getting in the water and giving it a try already says a lot. Diving is an amazing activity, but it is also not everyone’s cookie, and that is completely okay.
Alan will really appreciate the kind words as well. He loves taking the time to get to know people before getting in the water and making sure everyone feels comfortable and supported. We are glad your husband was still able to continue the dive and enjoy the underwater world, and that you got to see some of it through the video.
If you ever feel like giving it another shot, you are always welcome to come back and we will happily pair you up with Alan again.
Miriam_D, Mar 2026
Alan is an awesome teacher. We learned a lot and had an exciting experience scuba diving. We felt very safe.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thanks for the great feedback. We are really happy you enjoyed scuba diving with us and that Alan did such a good job teaching you and making you feel comfortable. Learning the basics and having a safe, exciting first dive is what we aim for.
It is awesome to hear you felt confident in the water and had a memorable experience. We love introducing people to diving in a relaxed way so they can enjoy it and build skills at their own pace.
Thanks for choosing to dive with Underdog Divers, we really appreciate it.
Joncy_T, Feb 2026
Alan did a great job! Our entire group felt very safe and we are glad we chose to scuba dive with this company!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
That is so great to hear, thank you! We are really happy your whole group felt safe and had such a good time in the water with Alan. That is exactly how a dive day should feel, comfortable, fun, and stress free.
We truly appreciate you choosing to dive with us. Hopefully this was just the first of many underwater adventures together.
Henry_M, Feb 2026
My instructor was Alan and he was awesome. He explained the dive before we entered the water and guided me every step of the way. Excellent experience and planning to return!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you so much for the awesome words. We are so glad you had such a great time with Alan.
He always makes sure everything is clear before we even touch the water, and once we are in, it is all about staying calm, comfortable, and enjoying the dive step by step. That confidence underwater makes all the difference.
Daniel_G, Feb 2026
OMG!!!!!! This was one of the best adventure excursions I have ever experienced in all of my travels..... Pauline from Underdog Divers was AMAZING! I had signed up for this cruise excursion once before when I was visiting Aruba, but it was unfortunately canceled.
However, this time no cancellation was necessary, and for a first-time ever with a scuba tank on my back, it was an absolutely fantastic experience. Pauline (owner of the company) met me at the pier and brought me to a wonderful beach and coral reef site.
I was instructed on shore first on all of the details for a first dive, and of course, SAFETY was the most important part. I learned about breathing with a tank (you just breathe normally-hey!), and hand signaling to your partner for good communication. Instruction continued about being in the water, what the expectations of what we will do and see, and the opportunity to ensure a successful dive. We wore wet suits and flippers, and honestly, the tank was quite heavy on land.....practice your squats!
Once we were ready for more instruction in the water, we went through several safety checks, including what happens when water is in the mask, etc.... We then plunged into a dive, and thankfully, I am a quick learner and had a wonderful time exploring the ocean floor and following Pauline's directions. We visited a fishing boat wreck and saw all kinds of sea creatures and fish.
Pauline, videotaped the dive, and I will tell you, I cannot wait to go back to Aruba to begin the certification process for deeper sea diving.
If you are looking for adventure and wanted to learn scuba, do not pass up this opportunity and experience.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Wow… thank you so much for this incredible review.
Reading this truly means the world to me. First time scuba diving is a big step, and the fact that you trusted us with that experience makes it even more special. I am so happy everything felt clear, safe, and comfortable from the very first briefing on shore to the moment we explored the reef and the wreck together.
You absolutely crushed it for a first dive, and yes, the tank on land is always the real workout. Once underwater, it is pure magic.
It was such a pleasure guiding you, and I love that this sparked your excitement to continue with certification. When you are ready to take that next step, we will be here and I would be honored to continue your scuba journey.
Thank you again for choosing Underdog Divers and for sharing your adventure so beautifully.
Saskia_T, Jan 2026
My first time scuba diving and my partners refresher. Ray was a patient and effective teacher and guide. This was a beach dive with interesting wreck and fish to look at.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
We’re so glad you had your first scuba dive with us and that your partner got a refresher. Ray is fantastic at being patient and making sure everyone feels confident in the water, and it’s great to hear that you enjoyed the beach dive with the wreck and all the marine life. Thanks for diving with us!
Heidi_T, Jan 2026
Ray and Alan are amazing! They made it so relaxing and easy to learn for our 1st time ever scuba diving. Ray was our guide and went above and beyond to make sure our experience was perfect. We will definitely be doing more scuba diving in the future! Underdog Divers is a company I would use again and recommend to everyone! We did snorkeling too and it was perfect.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
This makes us so happy to read. First scuba dives are a big deal, and we love that Ray and Alan made it feel relaxed, easy, and fun from the start. Ray definitely has a habit of going the extra mile, and we are glad your first experience set the bar high for many more dives to come. Stoked you also enjoyed the snorkeling, sounds like you really got the full Underdog experience. Thanks a ton for the trust, the kind words, and the recommendation, we would love to have you back in the water with us anytime.
Likely to Sell Out
From $120.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Likely to Sell Out
Private First-Time Dive in Aruba. Reef, Wreck or Turtle site
257
2 hours 30 minutes
Free Cancellation
From
$120.00
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Explore Similar Things to Do
Attractions in Aruba
- Arashi Beach Tours & Tickets
- Arikok National Park Tours & Tickets
- Philip's Animal Garden Tours & Tickets
- Baby Beach Tours & Tickets
- Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins Tours & Tickets
- Malmok Beach Tours & Tickets
- Andicuri Beach Tours & Tickets
- De Palm Island Tours & Tickets
- Ayo and Casibari Rock Formations Tours & Tickets
- Natural Pool Tours & Tickets
- Guadirikiri Caves Tours & Tickets
- Palm Beach Tours & Tickets
- Aruba Aloe Factory & Museum Tours & Tickets
- California Lighthouse Tours & Tickets
- Alto Vista Chapel Tours & Tickets
- Boca Catalina Tours & Tickets