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local Monday 21 July 2025

Up for a snorkeling adventure in Aruba?

Top 3 shipwrecks to explore

(ORANJESTAD) - Aruba is not ing advantage of a delay
only the perfect vacation caused by an anticipated Under operation Neuland
destination to sit back and armed resistance, the Ger- (disruption of British and
relax on the sandy beaches mans started scuttling the American oil sources), Ger-
but also has great snorkel- ship, opening her seacock many fleets bombed Ped-
ing spots for passionate and setting her ablaze. ernales. The ship was later
adventurers to explore. On cut into three sections, two
the coast of the island, there Eventually, the crew was ar- of which were taken to the
are various shipwrecks that rested, but SS Antilla could US for reconstruction. The re-
have become fan-favorites not be saved by the Dutch maining part stayed in Aruba
over the years. Here are the forces. The Dutch fired two and was used as target prac-
top 3 shipwrecks you should rounds of their 35mm gun tice. Eventually, the ship be- her Jane Sea. Jane was a grown with coral and is home
explore. aboard the ‘Aruba’ at SS came a snorkeling site that cement freighter between to a diverse set of marine life,
Antilla and left her to sink. has attracted many visitors Venezuela and Aruba. like turtles, octopus, crabs
SS Antilla throughout the years. and sometimes even nurse
Dubbed “The Ghost Ship”, The shipwreck can only be The story goes that the Jane sharks.
SS Antilla is the biggest and reached by boat. The ship Pedernales lies on the north- Sea arrived one day at the
most visited shipwreck site is visible from the surface west coast of Aruba, and is Barcadera Harbor, where The stories behind these ship-
off the coast of the island. and during your snorkeling no more than 10 feet under Aruban customs discovered wrecks enriches their explo-
Located in Malmok, this trip you’ll be surrounded by water, making it an ideal site several tons of cocaine. The ration and offers snorkelers
400-foot ship’s story is one hundreds of tropical fishes, for snorkelers and divers of ship was confiscated and and divers a glance into the
of capture and sabotage but the shipwreck alone is all levels. petitioned went out for her past, as well as the beautiful
during WWII. already impressive enough. owner to claim her. However, marine life that have molded
Jane Sea Wreck several years went by and no these wrecks into their home.
After Germany invaded The SS Pedernales The Jane Sea Wreck lies one came forward to claim So, grab your equipment
Netherlands, Dutch authori- Like the Antilla, the story of near Palm Island at 100 feet the ship, so dive operators and discover another side
ties ordered the confinement SS Pedernales dates to WWII. underwater. Jane’s story is decided to sink her as an ar- of what Aruba has to offer!
of the ship’s German crew, Pedernales was used as a heavily speculated, making tificial reef. This happened in
who were ported in Aruba lake tanker between Vene- her origin a tale of legends. 1988. Jane Sea earned the We highly recommend you

because it needed to find zuela and Aruba, and sailed nick name Jane C, because embark on your adventure
a neutral port. The Dutch under British Flag. At this time, Launched in 1959, the 190- of the illicit white powder dis- with the guide of a profes-
ordered the ship to be con- The US and Britain were using feet ship was initially called covered on board. sional and be sure to take
fiscated, but the German Aruba and Curacao as fuel “Blackthorn”. Her last owner, of yourself and Aruba’s pre-
crew had other plans. Tak- stations for the war ships. S&D Shipping Ltd. named Jane is now beautifully over- cious nature.q

Enjoy one of the best views on Aruba at the top of the Hooiberg Hill

(Oranjestad)—If you are a regu- island: The Hooiberg Hill. Accom-
lar hiker, or maybe want to spice panied with a 600-step staircase,
up your morning work out session, this hill overlooks a great part of
then you might enjoy one of the the island, the Caribbean sea, and
most popular climbing sites on the sometimes even the Santa Anna
mountain located in the coastal
state of Falcon in Venezuela, pro-
viding one of the best views you
can get on Aruba.

located at the center district of
the island, Santa Cruz, the Hooi- Mr. Eduardo Tromp constructed it. is now a gazebo placed halfway
berg Hill is the second highest At that time, the staircase consist- up the stair for a little rest. The view
point on the island at 165 meters ed of 900 steps. Over time, as the at this resting stop is also a sight to
above sea level (or about 540 feet steps faced erosion, the govern- see.
above sea level). The highest point ment decided to renovate these
is Jamanota Hill at 189 meters (620 stairs in 1991. This new project de- The best time to climb the hill
feet), located in the Arikok Nation- livered the newer staircase with would be early in the morning or
al Park. only 587 steps. However, don’t be right before sunset, as it may not
The staircase that run on the side of fooled—it may still be a work out be as hot. However, the hill is of
the hill was first built in 1951, when to get on top. In addition, there course open all day, every day.q