This dive site, known as Blue Reef / Debbie II, offers a fantastic combination of natural reef beauty and an artificial attraction. The site is characterized by its vibrant reef teeming with life and a 120-foot fuel barge, the Debbie II, intentionally sunk in 1992 to enhance the underwater experience. Divers can explore both the natural coral formations and the intriguing wreck, which has become a thriving artificial reef, providing shelter and sustenance for numerous species. Navigation is straightforward, allowing divers to easily explore the reef and the wreck.
The marine life at Blue Reef / Debbie II is abundant and diverse. Divers frequently encounter huge lobsters hiding in crevices and stingrays resting on the sandy bottom. Giant barrel sponges, in striking purple, orange, and green hues, dot the landscape. The wreck itself attracts schooling fish, barracudas, nurse sharks, and reef sharks. Other notable residents include potential eagle rays, turtles, snapper, angelfish, grunts, anemones, and grouper, making for a rich and varied animal encounter.
The best time to visit this dive site is generally year-round, as Aruba offers consistent warm waters and good visibility. The site's diverse offerings, from photogenic lobsters and rays to the atmospheric wreck and its inhabitants, make it ideal for underwater photography, particularly wide-angle shots. For both freedivers and scuba divers, the relatively shallow depth and varied marine life provide an engaging and accessible experience, suitable for all skill levels.
