Curacao - Shore Or Boat?

[ronski101]

We are going to Curacao next month and having never been there are looking for input. What is the cost of a tank for shore diving at the various beaches? Does that include weights? Are there entrance fees to get to the beaches? Is the crime situation similar to Bonaires? Are all the boat operations cattle boats or is there a mix like in Cozumel? Is there lots of overhead boat traffic at the shore dives? Are floats required? Is there a marine park fee? Is there a marine park? What is the avg water temp in May? Thanks in advance for any useful input.....

 

[Bas Harts]

What is the cost of a tank for shore diving at the various beaches? $10/15

Does that include weights? some do some dont

Are there entrance fees to get to the beaches? Some yes, but its worth it. Couple of bucks for bathroom, shower and security

Is the crime situation similar to Bonaires? No not at all, but you need to know where to park your car and where not.

Are all the boat operations cattle boats or is there a mix like in Cozumel? This depends on the season, cant blame them for filling up their boats.

Is there lots of overhead boat traffic at the shore dives? No

Are floats required? Alot of people will tell you otherwise, but as far as i know they are not required, but they are recommended. (for all the non-existing boat traffic at most sites)

Is there a marine park fee? There is no marine park, other than an area named marine park on the map. So yes its free.

Is there a marine park? see previous question.

What is the avg water temp in May? around 81/82

Most important: THE DIVING IS BETTER THAN BONAIRE

 

[drrich2]

"Are all the boat operations cattle boats or is there a mix like in Cozumel? This depends on the season, cant blame them for filling up their boats."

At some destinations, like the Florida Keys, there are so-called '6-pack' boats, where they don't go out with over 6 divers, or I've heard in some places boats limit passenger load even if the boat could technically hold more. Any idea if any boat op.s in Curacao do that?

IIRC from other threads, some dive sites have onsite businesses, which may include the perk of a more secure place to park your car, but for those sites that don't, does conventional wisdom still recommend the windows down, doors unlocked, leave nothing of value in the rental vehicle at dive sites, as is the case with Bonaire?

If Bonaire is a frame of reference for you, check out this late 2013 thread, Curacao vs. Bonaire, where some people discussed it.

Richard.

 

[diver0008]

Most important: THE DIVING IS BETTER THAN BONAIRE

That is debateable.

 

[diversteve]

Is there a marine park?

Curaçao Underwater Park | DCNA

 

[Bas Harts]

At some destinations, like the Florida Keys, there are so-called '6-pack' boats, where they don't go out with over 6 divers, or I've heard in some places boats limit passenger load even if the boat could technically hold more. Any idea if any boat op.s in Curacao do that?

Most dive boat operations run out of hotel locations. They fill up depending on the demand. They only other boat op I can think of is "Dive Charters Curacao". They go out with with small groups in a RIB.

IIRC from other threads, some dive sites have onsite businesses, which may include the perk of a more secure place to park your car, but for those sites that don't, does conventional wisdom still recommend the windows down, doors unlocked, leave nothing of value in the rental vehicle at dive sites, as is the case with Bonaire?

This really depends on the site. There are some that are known for break ins. Like Directors Bay, Jeremy or Hundu. Most others sites are safe imo. Some of the public sites even have security now. Plus a lot of dive sites are shared with beach people or snorkelers, so there are more people around.

We lock our cars at all sites we go to and leave the windows up.

 

[Bas Harts]

That is debateable.

and the debate will never end.

 

[gert7to3]

RE: "At some destinations, like the Florida Keys, there are so-called '6-pack' boats, where they don't go out with over 6 divers'.."

The so called 6 pack is a USCG minimum licensing level for commercial boat operation. The license is an OUPV (Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels) license. For the purpose of the OUPV endorsement an uninspected passenger vessel is a vessel of less than 100 GRT (about 65 feet) carrying six or fewer passenger for hire.