Going to Curacao in March!!! (Happy Dance)

[TN-Steve]

Looks like my first real dive trip to something other than a quarry is going to be in March. The Dive Club I belong to is running one to Curacao in March, week long, staying in apartments at the Lions Dive Resort.

I'm so excited.

Steve

 

[diversteve]

I liked Lions Dive when we were there one morning - diving with Ocean Encounters - their shop next door. Nice beach, beach bar and it looked like there's a decent dive off the property - we saw at least two groups doing it as we rode past. I liked the look of Hemingway also but didn't get to peek into a room.

For nightlife Mambo Beach is 5mins. walk away. MAMBO BEACH CURACAO

This was worth the $200 extra IMO also: Open Water Dolphin Dive | Ocean Encounters Diving Curacao

I personally feel Curacao diving is better than Bonaire diving. Certainly more varied and interesting. A lot of the south Bonaire sites look very similar after a week there. Besides OE there's also the Dive Bus nearby for escorted shore dives. Or with a car go out on your own. The Tugboat is a few minutes south of there, while it's a decent shallow wreck the wall around the south point is just crawling with eels. Since the boat is only 17' make that your safety stop. The pier nearby is also good if there's no ship tied up/working nearby.

Other options: Scuba Shore Diving Site Listing for: Curacao, ABC Islands #21 is Lions Dive for orientation. On this list, Lagun, Porto Mari, Varsenbaai and Playa Kalki are among the better dives. From Lions Dive plan on an hour drive to Playa Kalki. If you can, I'd make a day of it and hit Lagun or Porto Mari at least on the way back. All have shops on-site for tank rentals etc. My friends wife is an ex-guide from Curacao - she recommended Snake Bay as on of the best but we didn't get there. OE probably dives the Superior Producer wreck - possibly at night. It's near the Megaport so is restricted if there's a cruise ship in. Wouldn't be one I'd want to try from shore - currents are fast in that area.

 

[irie1029]

Congrats! You will love it!

I stay every November across from Lions Dive at sea aquarium resort so if you want nearby things topside let me know. Wife and I like doing local small stuff.

The local dive guy I always use is Hans https://www.facebook.com/HansPleij1 he will pick you up and take you shorediving and you will see spectacular stuff. I think this is going on my 7th year using hans. While I know all the sites by heart the value is hans will determine sites based on your schedule (air time) likes and conditions such as currents and visibility. Heck one time we went diving off a vacant lot downtown. A few short kicks and we are at the reef.
You only need a boat for watamula and some reefs out West which is worth doing a two tank dive with GO WEST Diving - EN - Curacao Padi Scuba Dive Center - GO WEST Diving and search the west end. Also, on west end Sol food Curacao Sunshine - Rental Property on the Island of Curacao has great burgers pizza and special items.

Have a Blast!

 

[drrich2]

Glad to hear it; wondered when you'd get out for an ocean trip abroad. My 1st 4 trips to Bonaire I went with a dive group; it's quite handy for learning the ropes in a foreign place.

Richard.

 

[diverjen]

Congratufreakinlations! That island is so beautiful! Westpunt is just stunning and we had some incredible food downtown!

 

[TN-Steve]

Yea... Waterdogs (Clarksville Club) is a pretty good group of folks. I'm going with them 3 JAN down to Atlanta, we're diving the Aquarium there. It will sure be a change from Pennyroyal I like traveling a lot of times with a group, like you say, it's nice to have somebody who's been there before, jobs can get divvied up, just enjoyable.


Steve

 

[munkispank]

You will have agreattime, Curaçao is lovely, I am heading back for my second visit this November, very excited too!

 

[Aruba Bobs]

Hans is the man!!! You will not be disappointed!!!!!!

 

[Bryan.]

Looks like my first real dive trip to something other than a quarry is going to be in March. The Dive Club I belong to is running one to Curacao in March, week long, staying in apartments at the Lions Dive Resort.

I'm so excited.

Steve

Hey Steve!! Great to hear your group is coming to Lions Dive & Beach Resort!! It will be an awesome trip!!

For more information, please follow these links!
Ocean Encounters Website
Ocean Encounters Orientation Video
Interactive Brochure

If you need more information or have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly!!

You can reach me at: bryan@oceanencounters.com