Curacao Marine Life vs. Bonaire?

[polyester1970]

OK - before some guy asks me to search the forums I already did and read a Curacao vs. Bonaire thread already, but didn't find an answer to this specific question.

So I'm trying to plan my next trip and am thinking about going back to Curacao. I want to also go to Bonaire but the hangup there is airfare is much higher, not as much to do for my non-diving wife.

My question is..."Is the marine life just as good in Curacao compared to Bonaire?" When I was in Curacao sometimes it did seem like it was a little thin on marine life and I rarely saw larger pelagics. I also read it wasn't until a few years ago that Curacao started to protect the marine park - so is Curacao over-fished? But I read from some people that they think the coral & marine life is similar in both places.

I'd be interested in hearing comments from people who have been to both.

 

[Diver OnLu]

Hi Polyester,

from my experience (2 x Bonaire in 1997 and 1999, i.e. even before Lenny or Omar hit; Curacao ever since 2004, living here since Dec 2007) the marine life - fish and other water creatures - is basically the same on both islands; this gets confirmed by basically all of my guests who have been to Bonaire recently.

The whole area is not famous for seeing big fish while diving the reefs, that is reality. I think this is due more to the general lack of current on most dive sites (which makes Curacao and Bonaire shore diving paradises), than to problems of overfishing.

Greetings from Curacao

Andreas

 

[chauncy19]

polyester1970,
I am going to Curacao for the first time this November. I have been to Bonaire 8-10 times before. My mind is going...but I know its atleast 8...
Anyway so I can't answer your question directly yet but I am guessing quite similar. I have been told there are major differences but they are more topside related. Anyway I am following the thread with great
curiosity. I am partly going to Curacao due to ease of air travel else I would probably go back to Bonaire as I know it and have enjoyed it.

 

[diversteve]

We've done both in the last few years. I thought they were very similar except the reef seemed to be farther out on Curacao. The trade-off being that most shore entries were sandy beach instead of ironshore. And it's not as convenient moving between sites as most are more of a drive out to the main road and then back again to the water.

We thought all the better diving was in west Curacao. The best dive all week was Playa Kalki/Alice in Wonderland (we didn't do Watamula) off West Punt. Second would've been Playa Lagun, Porto Mari or Varsenbaii. The odd thing is that they're not in the Marine Park - afaik it's only on the east side.

Saw more big eels off Curacao than I ever have in Bonaire.

There actually is some nightlife on Curacao - at least in/near Willemsted. Must be about a dozen casinos and the shopping district downtown. And some really nice beaches, not something you see on Bonaire. So more for your wife to do.