Curacao - hotel and dive shop suggestions

[Old Prop]

Folks,

I've looked at the Curacao "official" site and there are over twenty (i ran out of fingers and toes) dive operations listed. I've been to trip advisor but over the years i have been to shops that have never made TA and were excellent. Mostly b/c they were smaller and attracted a wonderful dive clientele (i.e. people like me). I've visited other scuba sites but my best info has come from here in the past. I've looked at the threads here and gotten some ideas but ...

I'd like to spend a week there this summer (since airfare from boston is down near 500$) w/ a friend of mine. I'm a fat, broken down old rugby prop so i like just falling off the boat and occasionally shore dive. She still runs up mountains for fun. Neither of us consider shopping a sport and we are both frugal new england yankees so fancy rooms that you just sleep in are not important, though AC is.

We both like dining out and exploring the local area, so an all inclusive is not on the agenda. I will eat at the hotel's restaurant, but i like the "floating" specialty nights that are popular w/ many of the restaurants/hotels that cater to divers. Always a good way to meet other divers. And of course i have to hit a local favorite or two. The resorts rarely have goat curry ;-)

So I am looking for suggestions for budget to moderate priced hotels ( i liked the Wannadive Hut on Bonaire which is not on a beach), and a dive shop. If linked all the better.

Last but not least, i need a good breakfast w/ coffee before diving. How people dive before breakfast is beyond me - lol.

I have my own gear, she does not.

All suggestions welcome.

thanks for your time - op

 

[BUDMANOK]

the Dive Bus and Oceans West are great dive ops. good luck on the breakfast never could find anything except for Denny's. We stayed at the Renaissance Marriot because I used my rewards points been there twice and really enjoyed it both times. Renaissance does have a Starbucks real close .

The Dive Bus - WELCOME

Bryan's the manager at Oceans West and Mark and Suzy own the Dive Bus.

---------- Post added ----------

the Dive Bus and Oceans West are great dive ops. good luck on the breakfast never could find anything except for Denny's. We stayed at the Renaissance Marriot because I used my rewards points been there twice and really enjoyed it both times. Renaissance does have a Starbucks real close .

http://the-dive-bus.com/

Bryan's the manager at Oceans West and Mark and Suzy own the Dive Bus.

 

[golfette44]

We've been to Curacao twice and both times dove with the Dive Bus. They have their own reef (across the street) and they have a room or two you can rent. Nothing fancy, but it has AC. They also have all the gear you need to rent and they are great to dive with. It's all shore diving though so you'd need to decide if you want boat or shore dives. Mark is crazy fun and is good at finding critters and lunch is included for the day.

 

[Curacao Sunshine]

Hey, Old Prop
I'm very careful not to "advertise" on any of the forums; and just as careful not to voice my opinion on preferred side of the island but..... we'll be in NH the last 3 weeks of July. David will be MTB riding with Butch Simones of Plymouth. Please let us know if you'd like our point of view..... We moved to Westpunt 5 years ago from Goffstown. It's out in the country, nothing new to you. We think some of the best snorkeling, diving, hiking and mountain biking are at this end of the island. We do however enjoy all these activities all over Curacao. We have an apartment and there are a dozen others we can recommend on the West end of the island. Go West Diving has apartments and tanks 24/7. In town, The Dive Bus now has apartments and Polars, I mean tanks 24/7. Our email is curacaosunshine@gmail.com I've been telling my friends and family - there are many flights under $500 August 15 to November 15 (more or less).

 

[BUDMANOK]

make sure you eat at Sol food (Sunshine won't say it so I will) IMO best food on the island their pizza is great

 

[diversteve]

the Dive Bus and Oceans West

Ocean (Encounter)s West is now the Go West Diving Sunshine referred to.

 

[Old Prop]

thanks for your help everyone.

 

[Scubanutil]

FWIW,
I just booked with Princess Resort and Casino (formerly Breezes) with Ocean Encounters as the diveop. 5 two tank boat dives, extra 6th day boat dive or 1 night dive, unlimited shore diving, garden view, Gambling, disco, watersports, ALL INCLUSIVE INCLUDING ALCOHOL for $1090 dbl occupancy. Are you kidding me? The best deal going!!!!

 

[muzicgirl]

cheapest isn't always the best

 

[chauncy19]

good thing is we're not all the same. "...

Gambling, disco, watersports, ALL INCLUSIVE INCLUDING ALCOHOL " not what everyone is interested in.
but some are some aren't... have a great time.
love Curacao,hope to be back. was at All West Apartments and it was perfect for me.

​