1st trip to Curacao - Playa Jeremi & dive op question

[UnderH2OGirl]

Hi!
We are working on planning our 1st trip to Curacao. We have found a rental house above Playa Jeremi that we are just about ready to book. However, then we read a few posts on other sites about stuff being stolen out of parked cars while shore diving at Playa Jeremi. Just curious if that stuff commonly happens (since the house is visible from the beach). Is it safe?
We have always wanted to try shore diving (besides a shore dive from a house reef in Cozumel, this will be a first). We want to do some boat dive also. It looks like the closest dive shop is Discover Diving. We picked this side of the island to stay away from cruise ship traffic. Any feedback on Discover Diving (or other dive op's in the area) would be appreciated (small boats, tank fill quality, etc).
Looking forward to the being able to experience some of the good viz everyone talks about!
Thanks in advance!

 

[CuracaoJ]

Dear Hoosier,

I don't think you need to worry about the car situation. Your house can't be "above" Playa Jeremi, unless it was built in the last couple of days, so your parking may be in the area of Jeremi, but not where people are having issues with things being stolen.

There is a ton of shore diving near there, and if you have a car, all the better. There are at least a dozen, if not two, shore dives within a 20 minute drive from there, and Discover, as well as Bahia (sp?) will be right next door for gear and tanks.

Comb through the posts here to see what you can find on diving in the area (Sunshine has some great posts), but I'm sure you won't be disappointed!

Dive Safe,
Jeff (A former Michigander).

 

[aquajon]

look into all west apts. they are in west punt and offer a great diving right in front of the place, they also offer truck rental, have tanks on site that you can get daily for your dives and it is a great starting point.. there are alot of great posts on here about the apts. we stayed there last fall and the place is nice and well kept. the shore diving on Curacao is great.

 

[UnderH2OGirl]

Thanks CuracaoJ! I did some more reading on Curacao shore diving on this forum last night. Thanks for the info!

 

[CuracaoJ]

Dear UnderH2OGirl,

No problem. If you have any other questions, feel free to hollar. If you think you need any advice while you're here, send me a PM and I'll give you my local cell.

Enjoy the shore diving here. It's a little harder to get around than Bonaire, but it is REALLY great.

Best,
Jeff

 

[curious2dive]

Hi UnderH2OGirl,

It depends in what time you're planning the trip, but after 30 of april, it's done with cruiseship season until 1 of October it will be picking up again.

And criminality yes we have some spots on the Island that are not safe to leave your not other than in other parts of the world.

But most of the dive operators can tell you where it's not safe. But if you decide to dive on the eastside and we can be of a help don't hesitate.

Happy safe dive planning.

 

[diversteve]

Your house could be above Playa Lagun? - another good dive. IMO better than Jeremi. At Jeremi the better dive is to the right. Some good snorkeling along the cliffs on the right also by the entrance to the cove.

We left the cars - with stuff in them one morning at Jeremi - from the water you almost can't see them. It's quiet there - Lagun is quiet and Jeremi even quieter. Is the house on the east side cliff?. It might be the only one there. 1st image here: http://beaches.curacao-now.com/playa-jeremy-jeremi.html

There's a beach operator (chair rentals not dive) by the parking lot at Lagun - Discover Dive is about a block inland over a little hill so they can't see the beach as well. There's also an operator at Porto Mari - Porto Mari Sports and Varsenbaai. Someone to keep an eye on things if asked. Porto Mari is another good dive - the only double reef in the area.

We rented tanks all week from Discover Dive, they have a pickup height loading dock - convenient.

Drive to Westpunt and dive Playa Kalki - it's about the best there is. Ocean Encounters West is onsite for tank rentals - there's about 20 stone steps down to the water level so it's easier than bringing your own. They also run out to Watamula once or twice a week - the best boat dive on the island.

Shorediving is easy on Curacao, currents are generally low (not like Coz) and the reef parallels the shoreline. Many sites are accessed thru a small cove that is often a beach so entries/exits are simple. Several of the sites with facilities also have a divedock that takes you at least part way out to the reef. You're expected to pay a small usage fee at those.

If you stay out there, stop at Centrum Market in Willemstad for supplies first. At the airport rotary go south (straight) instead of turning right towards Westpunt. It will be the 2nd traffic light on the right. There's no (maybe one) options for food shopping in the Lagun/Jeremi area. And limited restaurants - surprising since Lagun is a local vacation spot. We drove either back to town or to Westpunt for dinner.

 

[Bryan.]

Hi UnderH20Girl!

As mentioned in previous posts... check out All West Apartments and Diving. All the packages can be booked directly or through agents like Caradonna, Maduro, etc... include room, car and diving!! It is quite easy at All West because all the tanks are onsite in the Dive Locker plus there is an awesome house reef just steps away.

Additionally, OEW is only about 2 min down the road for some awesome Boat Diving (ie. Watamula) and our housereef "Alice in Wonderland"!

Anyways... just FYI!

There is alot of awesome diving all over the island and since you are looking at staying in the West, we will be happy to assist you with anything you need and help orient you to Curacao's best diving available!!

If you have more questions, please do not hesitate to email me directly.

Thanks again and see you soon!!