Diving with… Luis Pinheiro, ScubaCaribe, Aruba, Caribbean
In this ongoing series, we speak to the people who run dive centres, resorts and liveaboards from around the world about their businesses and the diving they have to offer…
What is your name?
Luis Pinheiro
What is the name of your business?
ScubaCaribe
What is your role within the business?
Dive Center Manager.
How long has the business operated for?
Since 1992 (location Aruba since 2014).
How long have you dived for, and what qualification are you?
Since 2014. I’m an PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor
What is your favorite type of diving?
Photography.
If you could tell people one thing about your business (or maybe more!) to make them want to visit you what would it be?
Aruba is a perfect spot for wreck diving, as we have some treasures of the Second World War. We even have two passenger planes that were intentionally sunk for the diving community.
What is your favorite dive in your location and why?
Jane Sea wreck, as it’s a wreck covered in corals, providing the opportunity for small and big marine life to hide and rest in the wreck.
What types of diving are available in your location?
From PADI Discover Scuba Diving programs all the way up to Rescue Diver courses. For certified divers there are several wrecks, and we have some nice areas that are fantastic for underwater photography.
What do you find most rewarding about your current role?
The possibility of exploring all the underwater life, from wrecks to all the fauna and flora.
What is your favorite underwater creature?
As I like photography it’s difficult to choose. My all-time favourite has always been the octopus and all the Mollusca group.
Are there any exciting changes / developments coming up in the near future?
Yes, we are growing as a dive centre and Aruba is a destination with a lot of potential regarding diving. There are some possibilities of working with local companies to help turtles, lionfish hunting or even coral restoration.
As a center what is the biggest problem you face at the moment?
We are quite new in the Aruban market, so I would say the time that it takes to put the ideas into practice.
Is your center involved in any environmental work?
We are globally involved, yes.
How do you see the SCUBA / Freediving / snorkeling industry overall? What changes would you make?
The industry must insist, emphasize, educate and practise environmental awareness and sustainability. I see a lot of divers including professionals that make “exceptions” and touch certain animals or plants.
What would you say to our visitors to promote the diving you have to offer?
Aruba is a gem for the dive industry, that is being polished. A lot of opportunities for wreck diving andthe possibility to see healthy corals and diverse marine life.
Where can our visitors find out more about your business?
@ScubaCaribe
