Curacao - so tell me how it works?

[rayaa3]

Alright - Bonaire in March didn't work out, but got to hit up Roatan instead. I've been looking for a good way to spend the hotel points and airline miles I've earned on work trips and I think I found a good one. I can get really good bang for my buck on airline miles going to Curacao in October.

So this October I'm taking the family to Curacao. We are staying at the Hilton (I have a lot of points, so it's free...so, good or bad - it's where I'll be, but if you know something negative about it, please let me know - better to be prepared).

So, how's this game played in Curacao. I've looked online at some of the dive shop prices for boat dives - $100 for 2 tanks is pretty common it seems...kind of pricey. It looks like a lot of the diving is shore accessible, though maybe not quite as easy as Bonaire. I don't see much online in the way of "truck+unlimited tanks" packages. Do people just rent the number of tanks they'll need? I've looked around and seen a post where at least one person said "I go to the a shop in the area of the dive site and rent from them, for that dive" - I'm not really keen on bouncing around looking for tanks near each site, but there might be a reason it's done this way.

Ideally we'll rent a trunk, load it up with 6 tanks (2 each diver) every AM - head out, and come back after lunch. It looks like tanks+weights will cost $15 a tank - much cheaper than boat diving, but still more expensive than I expected.

Are there concerns in Curacao around theft?

Would I need to worry about tanks being taken out of the truck when parked at dive sites while we are diving or otherwise around the island?

Anything else you would tell a first time visitor?

Food looks a bit pricey but I'm basically flying and staying for free - so I won't fuss too much over food price. Same for the diving - it seems silly to pay $15 per tank for 30 tanks - but how much can I complain given the nut on the rest of the trip?

As usual, appreciate any input.
Ray

 

[diversteve]

I've read comments about the Hilton not being one of the best in their chain of hotels. I didn't stay there but did visit twice since we stayed across the street for a week. I ate once at "Aqua" - average food, nice outdoor dining and won a little money in their casino. They also have a decent outdoor bar. The main hotel building looks like it dates from the 70's. I didn't see/go into a room. http://hilton-hotels.com.br/en-us/assets/img/hotels/Hilton Curacao/curacao-full-01.jpg Should you want groceries/alcohol, Centrum Market is a bout a mile away. You'll pass it on the right driving from the airport.

I've recently read that Caribbean Sea Sports took over dive operations at the Hilton. They're also next door at the Marriott and at the time I was there - kept their boats there. They have one that's a jet boat so no possibility to get hit by a prop. They rent tanks for shore diving also. There's actually a decent shallow dive there also but the reef is a decent swim out. There's a man-made breakwater out there as well to keep the Marriott's beach in place.

It's not Bonaire since the two "dive resorts" have closed in the past couple years but it's very similar - many resort hotels have their own shop - 3-4 of them are Ocean Encounters.

Just about every good shore dive has two things Bonaire doesn't - a beach entry and an on-site operator. So getting tanks/weights isn't a problem. Most entries are off a sandy beach - unlike Bonaire where you contend with ironshore. At the few sites where there is ironshore at the waters edge, the operator has built a dock.

It's like the reef off Curacao is 100' or so farther offshore - sometimes there's a small cove you surface swim out from to the start of the reef. Same low-current diving as Bonaire. Same fish also, at one site I told my buddies they'd just been to Bonaire also...lol.

Most beach dive operators charge a small usage fee in guilders ($3-5) for use of their lockers (not all have them), showers, dive dock (not all have one either) and various other facilities.

One of the nicest is Go West Diving in Westpunt, they have lockers, showers, a changing room, a 70' dive dock, etc. They're also on arguably the best shore dive - Alice in Wonderland. Worth the drive there. From the Hilton it's about 35mins.

Some operators offered to watch our vehicle also while we were gone. Almost every site also has some sort of on-site food, from a snack shop up to a decent waterfront restaurant.

The only sites that are questionable from a theft possibility are the farther "Gnip" sites (according to our apt. mgr) and Playa Jeremi - the beach is down a hill so you don't see the truck - it's one site in that area with no onsite facility. It's actually referenced on shorediving.com.

We rented a truck and hauled tanks since we knew we were diving 2-3 uninhabited sites. A couple times we used our tanks at sites with on-site operators instead of theirs. Once because lack of cleanliness might've extended to compressor maintenance. If you rent tanks at any site, they waive/include the usage fee.

One substantial difference is that the sites are farther apart than Bonaire. In south Bonaire, they run adjacent - at some you see 3-4 sites away. On Curacao almost all require a 5-15 min. drive in from one of two main roads. Turn-offs/minor roads are not well-marked either so get a good dive map - or even a GPS. Scuba Shore Diving Site Listing for: Curacao, ABC Islands - has GPS coordinates for each site. We rented from Budget at the airport - about the same price but open the longest - 6AM-10PM.

I don't really remember what we paid for tank rentals. I always received change back from a $20 for two tank dives. Seems like a lot of times it was about $12. Once we bought an unlimited all day package for $22. Even took those tanks to a nearby site with a different on-site operator - a shop worker helped us load them.

Relaxed Guided Dives is on the main road heading west - they have a tank fill. One of few operators not on the water.

About theft, we never experienced any. Both places we stayed at were gated/fenced - one even had night watchmen. The Hilton has a guarded gate but I'm pretty sure you could walk onto the property from the beach next door - it's shared by a couple resorts - including our condos. We left tanks in the back of the truck everywhere - except if we went downtown - there's some indigent looking people around the port/container port. I have a "Chicago" radar and never felt unsafe anywhere we went at night.

 

[rayaa3]

Thanks very much for the info!

 

[RJP]

I have zillions of Hilton points. Been to Curaçao three times. I've paid good money to stay at the Marriott each time. The Hilton is a dump. There is no beach. The pools are both disgusting. My kids were creeped out by the dilapidated putt-putt golf course. If not for the people obviously staying there you would swear the Hilton had been abandoned a few years ago.

 

[rayaa3]

Yes, but I'm a cheap bastard...and cheap bastards can't be choosers!

Seriously, thanks for the heads up. Always good to go in eyes open. Most dissatisfaction can be resolved with proper expectations.

 

[Bas Harts]

The Hilton is a dump.

The marriot is indeed a nicer hotel, but the Hilton is not a dump.

The building is old, but the rooms have just been renovated. The beach and pools are pretty nice imo.

If you can stay for free at the Hilton its a good option.

 

[dfx]

If you're unsure about the diving, you can always book a guided shore dive with one of the dive ops on the island. That way you can get first hand experience of how it works over there.

 

[rayaa3]

Well as to the hilton...it's where I'm staying. Really if you told me the roof leaks I would still go. I would just bring a bucket. It is helpful to know that I'll need to pack a bucket, hence the solicitation of feedback. I could do guided shore dives but I would rather reach out to the community and figure out what to expect.

When you travel some place new whether for work or fun, research can really shorten the learning curve. Ultimately that's what I am doing

Appreciate the suggestion, and if I don't feel confident that's what I may do.

Ray

 

[drrich2]

It's not Bonaire since the two "dive resorts" have closed in the past couple years but it's very similar - many resort hotels have their own shop - 3-4 of them are Ocean Encounters.

Interesting. I wonder why the 'dive resort' model hasn't been working out well on Curacao? On Bonaire it appears to dominate, with quite a number of them. Perhaps on Curacao, where tourism isn't nearly so scuba-dominated if I understand correctly, the hotel+dive shop model is 'better' somehow?

Richard.

 

[irie1029]

Hey, I go to Curacao every year for 2 weeks. I always book with a dive master. Curious to Dive shore dives is my favorite.. and Dive West (Boat)is the other. It is well worth it as they know the spots and weather. the only dive with a lot of kicks was the Anchor. And cheap bastard jsut so you know I agree with you that the room is the least of your worries. Your are pretty much deadnuts center of the Island to go East and West. I like to eat local and Sol on west side is my favorite for pizza steak hospitality and view. Also the little lunch bar at Dive West has good fried fish. East my new fave is Pinchos Garden at night which is skewers and also Golden Star. As far as security DO NOT LOCK CAR and do not bring valuables. This is my rule for any island. Have a blast!