SS Antilla Shipwreck in Aruba: History & Tours

Aruba’s rocky coastline has been known to be dangerous with rocky outcroppings and gusty winds. Over the years, this has resulted in a number of shipwrecks around Aruba’s coast. Today, this graveyard of ships is great for diving and snorkeling around Aruba. The most popular shipwreck in Aruba is the Antilla Shipwreck – just off the coast of Boca Catalina Beach and Tres Trapi Beach.

If you’re interested in history or snorkeling, you should learn more about the SS Antilla cargo ship which met its fate here in Aruba. And – you’re in the right place to do it! Let’s find out more about the ship, its sinking, and how you can visit the SS Antilla in Aruba.

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History of the Antilla Shipwreck

The SS Antilla was a German cargo ship that became one of the most famous shipwrecks in the Caribbean, just off the coast of Aruba. Here’s a brief history of this intriguing ship and how it met its doom.

Pre-War SS Antilla Service

The SS Antilla was built in 1939 by Deutsche Werft in Hamburg, Germany. This made it a Hamburg America Line cargo ship. It was approximately 400 feet long and primarily designed to carry refrigerated cargo. The ship was equipped with advanced technology for its time, including diesel engines designed to give it a long cruising range for transatlantic voyages.

The Outbreak of World War II

At the outbreak of World War II, the SS Antilla was in the Caribbean and like many German ships in foreign waters, it found itself in a precarious position. The ship was in the Dutch Caribbean, and as the Netherlands was neutral during the early stages of the war, the SS Antilla was not immediately seized.

The Sinking of the SS Antilla

The situation changed drastically in May 1940 when Germany invaded the Netherlands. Following the invasion, Dutch authorities in the Caribbean were required to detain German ships in their harbors. On May 10, 1940, the same day as the invasion, the Dutch government ordered the seizure of all German ships in its colonies.

The SS Antilla, which was anchored off Aruba, was approached by Dutch officials. However, the captain of the Antilla received orders not to allow the ship to be captured. In the early morning of May 10, 1940, the crew of the SS Antilla scuttled the ship to prevent its capture.

They opened the seacocks and set fires in the engine room and holds. The crew then abandoned ship and surrendered to the local authorities. The ship burned fiercely for several days before it finally sank off the shore of Aruba.

The Aruba Antilla Wreck Today

The SS Antilla remains one of the largest shipwrecks accessible to divers in Aruba and all of the Caribbean. The wreck lies in shallow waters, with depths ranging from 20 to 60 feet, making it suitable for both novice and experienced divers.

Over the decades, the wreck has become an artificial reef encrusted with coral. It’s also become home to a number of tropical fish making it a great place to spot marine life in Aruba. This makes it the ideal place to snorkel and scuba in Aruba and a popular attraction for those visiting the island.

Where is the Antilla Shipwreck Located

While we’ve talked about the SS Antilla being burned into the Caribbean Sea back in 1940, the exact location may still be of interest. Let’s take a look at a map of the Antilla in relation to Aruba and its coastline.

Map of the Antilla Shipwreck

How to Visit the Antilla Shipwreck in Aruba

Due to its convenient location just off the coast, you’ll definitely want to visit the SS Antilla. In fact, several dive shops and tour operators on the island offer trips to the SS Antilla wreck. These tours are suitable for various skill levels.

Scuba Diving the Antilla Shipwreck

If you are a certified diver, open water or advanced, you will want to join a guided dive to the wreck. This will allow you to fully inspect the wreck at both the top and the bottom. The top of the wreck starts at about 20 feet (6 meters) below the surface, while the bottom lies at around 60 feet (18 meters).

The shallow depth makes it accessible to all certified divers, whether you are a beginner diver with basic Open Water certification or a diver with hundreds of dives under your weight belt… (see what I did there?!)

Check out this amazing scuba diving tour to the Antilla Shipwreck where you’ll be limited to a small group of divers. Alternatively, you can go with a cheaper tour option, but you may have a lot of divers around the shipwreck.

Snorkeling the Antilla Shipwreck

If you are not a diver, snorkeling is a fantastic option. Parts of the wreck are shallow enough to be enjoyed with just a snorkel and mask. In fact, the SS Antilla is one of the most popular snorkeling destinations in Aruba. This means you’ll find plenty of tour operators offer snorkeling trips to the SS Antilla.

I highly recommend taking this snorkeling trip to the Antilla Shipwreck. Another amazing option is to do one of the ever popular Jolly Pirates trips as they also stop at the Antilla Shipwreck for snorkeling.

Remember that the SS Antilla is not only a historical site but also part of the marine ecosystem. Be mindful to avoid touching or taking any part of the wreck or coral. This can cause damage to the fragile environment.

Seabob the Antilla Shipwreck

A slightly more interesting option to get to the Antilla is taking what is in essence an underwater scooter tour with a Seabob. The Seabob F5 S jet will take you to the depths of the SS Antilla shipwreck quickly and safely, and I’m guessing it may be a first for most visitors to Aruba!

Not sure if you’re ready for this adventure, check out this Seabob tour on Viator to learn all about how it works. Best of all, it also includes hotel transportation and drinks as you explore multiple beaches and reefs around the Antilla shipwreck.

FAQs about the Aruba SS Antilla