First time to Curacao, A few questions for those "in the know"

[handben]

I'll be headed alone to Curacao the last week of October 2010 to attend a medical conference. Having been 3 times to Bonaire, I expect a lot of similarities and some differences. I've got the room and a dive package with around 11 or so boat dives already set up. But I'd like to do some shore diving as well. Is it the norm to rent a car (as opposed to a truck like Bonaire)? I'd prefer to have as small a car as possible - if the rental agents don't mind me driving to dive sites. Will I catch a lot of flak for diving solo? (I am solo certified, btw and will bring all the necessary redundant gear). Do the shops require an "orientation" as they do in Bonaire? This always bums me out when I get there and have to wait and wait for their orientation. It probably cuts 2 dives off of my trip. Lastly are there any good resources for getting around Curacao such as the "Bonaire Shore Diving Made Easy" for Bonaire? Thanks so much. Ben

 

[Damselfish]

As far as solo diving, if you're shore diving someplace remote obviously no one will know. If you're diving at one of the developed sites - unlike Bonaire there are a decent number of beaches that charge a small fee for entry and have some facilities including sometimes dive shops - I don't know. In my experience Habitat is fine with it, it's sort of part of their tradition to not tell you what to do, though I don't know about the latest incarnation. Ocean Encounters from what I've seen would probably mind. Ocean Encounters West I'm not sure about - when I was last there they seemed more laid back about this sort of thing than the main Ocean Encounters, but that was awhile ago and it may depend a lot on who's there and their opinion of you. Other shops I have no idea. I'm sure someone will jump in here and add/correct me.

Renting a car is more the norm. I'm sure there are occasional places a truck would be a benefit but a car is fine for most places.

Where are you staying? There may be some sort of orientation, depends where you are, but even if there is it's unlikely to be a big deal and annoyingly scheduled thing like Bonaire. More like wander down to the dive shop and check in, someone shows you around - here's the lockers, tanks, emergency stuff, be nice to the reef, and if you're on the water with shore diving then they point to the water and tell you to get the heck off the dock. A big difference is unlike Bonaire, much of Curacao is not marine park. So while the ops tend to treat everything as marine park, there's not as much for official rules.

 

[Curacao Sunshine]

Pleased don't be "bummed out" by an orientation dive. Here in Westpunt - Ocean Encounters West, dive op, they ask so divers can reacquaint themselves with their equipment, check their weights, etc before getting on a boat and either not diving because of a malfunction or holding up the group while adjusting weights. My favorite shore dive is Alice In Wonderland so I see no reason not to enjoy a free tank of air while "checking" your gear. Some places, Bonaire (?) require a divemaster to accompany you and the whole take off your mask exercise. Here, OEW just requires a check out DIVE. I'm not sure of the other dive ops but really, this one particular check out dive is extremely enjoyable. Most places will frown on solo diving but there are usually divers around who would gladly allow you to join their dive.

 

[handben]

I should have mentioned, I'll be staying at the Marriott Beach Resort and Emerald Casino. I know that they have an on-site dive op that will be handling our boat dives and "unlimited shore dives". I'm not sure if they'll allow me to take their tanks off the property though. It would be a lot easier to not have to deal with tanks and weights at each dive site. Thanks for the info guys.

 

[diversteve]

The Marriott diveop is Caribbean Sea Sports:

Curacao is famous for its excellent shore diving and our own house reef at Caribbean Sea Sports is no exception, just gear up and walk right in to see a excellent reef full of tropical fish! If you are unsure of diving on your own, or have no dive buddy we can provide an experienced Dive master to guide you. Alternatively you can simply rent your tanks and equipment from us and explore the island by yourself. We are happy to give you our expert advice on the best spots and sell Drive and Dive maps in our shop to help you find your way.

Doesn't sound like it will be a problem...Get the map, there's a noticeable lack of street signs west of town. Every site we dove (except Lagun) required a short drive in off the main road. Most weren't marked especially well. Sometimes there's a "red" rock. Mostly they seemed to be larger than the small yellow ones used on Bonaire. And set further back off the road.

What's different about Curacao vs. Bonaire is that there's often an on-site dive operator who will collect a small usage fee (a few guilders) for using their facilities, dive dock etc. I even had a beach operator want me to pay him to use a plastic chair late one afternoon at Lagun. (yeah right - he closed 2 minutes later)

At some sites you don't have access without going past/thru the operator - at others it's a public beach.

Places we paid some sort of usage or rental fee:

The Tugboat
Varsenbaai
Habitat (Nos Kas)
Playa Lagun
Porto Mari (I think - we brought tanks over from Habitat)
Sunset Waters (now closed/demolished)
Playa Kalki (Ocean Encounters West)

If you dive Playa Jeremi, bring everything, there's no facilities there at all. You may be the only person there also.

Except for Tugboat, all the above sites are west of the Marriott.

At Habitat and OEWest they have a locker room, showers etc. - nice facilities. Most of the above sites at least had a shower - most a dive dock also to get you a little closer to the reef. And some sort of snack bar.

Except for Habitat ($25 all day - unltd. tanks) we mostly brought ours with. One consideration about bringing tanks - at Habitat it's down 3 flights of stairs to the dive-dock. At OEWest it's about 15-20 uneven rock stairs down from the parking lot. Just seemed easier to rent on-site.

 

[Diver OnLu]

Just one additional info for those interested in solo diving on Curacao: At Ocean Encounters West we don't accept any solo diving from our facilities (or using our rental equipment), no matter what certification a diver might show up with. If you come with all your own gear, and access the water at Playa Kalki from the public beach outside our facilities - well, then it is exclusively your responsibility...

But as Sunshine already mentioned - it is not that difficult to find a decent dive buddy

Greetings from Westpunt, Curacao
Andreas

 

[handben]

Just one additional info for those interested in solo diving on Curacao: At Ocean Encounters West we don't accept any solo diving from our facilities (or using our rental equipment), no matter what certification a diver might show up with. If you come with all your own gear, and access the water at Playa Kalki from the public beach outside our facilities - well, then it is exclusively your responsibility...

But as Sunshine already mentioned - it is not that difficult to find a decent dive buddy

Greetings from Westpunt, Curacao
Andreas

I appreciate the "heads up" regarding not allowing solo diving from your facility or with your gear. I suppose I'll just go down the public beach if I'm up that way by myself. I may also buddy up with someone down there and this will be a non issue. I just want to have a back up plan and not be dependent on finding a buddy to dive. I'll bring a redundant air supply either way.