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local Wednesday 24 september 2025
Up for a snorkeling adventure in Aruba? Top 3 shipwrecks to

explore

(ORANJESTAD) – Aruba is many visitors throughout went by and no one came
not only the perfect vaca- the years. forward to claim the ship,
tion destination to sit back so dive operators decided
and relax on the sandy Pedernales lies on the to sink her as an artificial
beaches but also has great north-west coast of Aruba, reef. This happened in 1988.
snorkeling spots for pas- and is no more than 10 feet Jane Sea earned the nick
sionate adventurers to ex- under water, making it an name Jane C, because of
plore. On the coast of the ideal site for snorkelers and the illicit white powder dis-
island, there are various divers of all levels. covered on board.
shipwrecks that have be-
come fan-favorites over Jane Sea Wreck Jane is now beautifully
the years. Here are the top The Jane Sea Wreck lies overgrown with coral and
3 shipwrecks you should tage of a delay caused Like the Antilla, the story near Palm Island at 100 feet is home to a diverse set of
explore. by an anticipated armed of SS Pedernales dates to underwater. Jane’s story is marine life, like turtles, octo-
resistance, the Germans WWII. Pedernales was used heavily speculated, mak- pus, crabs and sometimes
SS Antilla started scuttling the ship, as a lake tanker between ing her origin a tale of leg- even nurse sharks.
Dubbed “The Ghost Ship”, opening her seacock and Venezuela and Aruba, and ends.
SS Antilla is the biggest and setting her ablaze. sailed under British Flag. At The stories behind these
most visited shipwreck site this time, The US and Britain Launched in 1959, the shipwrecks enriches their
off the coast of the island. Eventually, the crew was ar- were using Aruba and Cu- 190-feet ship was initially exploration and offers snor-
Located in Malmok, this rested, but SS Antilla could racao as fuel stations for called “Blackthorn”. Her kelers and divers a glance
400-foot ship’s story is one not be saved by the Dutch the war ships. last owner, S&D Shipping into the past, as well as the
of capture and sabotage forces. The Dutch fired two Ltd. named her Jane Sea. beautiful marine life that
during WWII. rounds of their 35mm gun Under operation Neuland Jane was a cement freight- have molded these wrecks
aboard the ‘Aruba’ at SS (disruption of British and er between Venezuela and into their home. So, grab
After Germany invaded Antilla and left her to sink. American oil sources), Ger- Aruba. your equipment and dis-
The Netherlands, Dutch many fleets bombed Ped- cover another side of what
authorities ordered the The shipwreck can only be ernales. The ship was later The story goes that the Aruba has to offer!
confinement of the ship’s reached by boat. The ship cut into three sections, two Jane Sea arrived one day
German crew, who were is visible from the surface of which were taken to at the Barcadera Harbor, We highly recommend you
ported in Aruba because and during your snorkeling the US for reconstruction. where Aruban customs dis- embark on your adventure
it needed to find a neutral trip you’ll be surrounded by The remaining part stayed covered several tons of co- with the guide of a profes-
port. The Dutch ordered hundreds of tropical fishes, in Aruba and was used as caine. The ship was confis- sional and be sure to take
the ship to be confiscated, but the shipwreck alone is target practice. Eventually, cated and petitioned went of yourself and Aruba’s pre-
but the German crew had already impressive enough. the ship became a snorkel- out for her owner to claim cious nature.
other plans. Taking advan- SS Pedernales ing site that has attracted her. However, several years
Know more about the Town Hall Eloy Arends building

The Monuments bureau
shares some essential facts
about the Town Hall known
as the Eloy Arends building.
The aim is to educate the
community about the man-
sion’s construction, history,
and preservation.

The Doctor Eloy Arends
building is located at the
Wilhelminastraat 8 and was
the home of the Arends of the roof and different Adriaan Lacle, who is main-
family. It was the first build- decorations on the edges ly known for the boulevard
ing that the Monuments bu- of the walls and facade. that bears his name), the
reau, and the Government construction of the man-
of Aruba, restored in 1997. This is a stunning building sion began in 1922 and was
Mr. Medardo ‘Dada’ Picus, full of beautiful details that completed in 1925 when
was the architect of this the columns, there are ground level but at approx- resemble its beauty and the couple got married.
Aruban-Caribbean build- decoration details made imately 1.5 meters above transform into a history of
ing. The building sits on a out of wood. The elabo- ground level. This mansion love. Aruban tradition for The Office of the Civil Reg-
1.545 m² plot of land and is rately detailed embellish- elevation created storage “well-to-do” families dic- istry is located in the adja-
a typical Aruban mansion. ment is known as ginger- below the wooden floors tates that before a man cent building, whereas the
It is an open home with bread trim and the triangu- and allowed proper venti- gets married, he has to mansion hall is used exclu-
false walls that allow the lar decorative wall surface lation. present his future wife with sively for civil wedding cer-
connection of the rooms over the columns is called a newly built and fully fur- emonies.
with each other. the tympanum. The building has lots of win- nished house. It was cer- The Monuments bureau
dows which allow plenty of tainly the case with this will continue to contribute
The entrance has large The top of the doors and light inside, as well as good building. and educate the commu-
doors and columns sup- windows have stained ventilation. Due to the engagement nity about the history of our
porting the floor of the up- glass. It has dormer windows and between Eloy Arends and monuments with significant
per balcony. In between The building is not built on crowns on the outside part Monica Lacle (daughter of value for Aruba.