Aruba or Curacao?

[joyceschur]

I just finished a 2 week hard-core dive trip to Curacao. Thought it was fantastic. Highly recommend The Dive Bus (on east side of the island) and Ocean Encounters West (on west side of the island, in Westpunt).

 

[alashas]

I concur with others who recommend diving both islands. You will probably be doing boat dives at Aruba, and, as already noted, the Antilla is a terrific wreck dive in shallow water.

There is a good chance you'll be doing shore dives at Curacao, and Dive Bus is conveniently located and is a great staff to dive with. I did a lot of dives with Ocean Encounters West and really like the sites on that end of Curacao, but I don't know if they pick up cruise ship passengers. Ocean Encounters probably does.

You did a nice shallow dive when you were at 40' and it would not be at all unusual to dive for an hour or longer at that depth. I doubt that you had larger tanks. If you want to do a long dive in shallow water, no more than 25' or so, request the "Tug Boat" at Curacao:

http://honeymoon2.smugmug.com/Underwater/Curacao-Scuba-Dive-Bus-Reef/5012863_b6p4s#305582244_Fuk9e

Enjoy your trip! alashas
http://www.youtube.com/user/honeymoon2

 

[dhkalb]

I would recommenf Aruba due to convinience of the diving sites to beach area and also the access to some lower depth wreck dives - good luck and have a great vacation.