We just returned from 4 days of diving in Curcao. We can offer the following. We take into account what seems to be your limited diving experience, and so will discuss only shallow dives (less than 60'), and also the fact that you have only one day and are with people who want to "beach out" instead of dive. You should be fine, as the water is warm, vis is fantastic, there are rarely currents at the sites (and if so you just drift along and the current is usually moderate and no problem to swim against), and the best reefs can be found in usually in 30-50 feet. Some of these dives are by boat and I don't know if they will fit in your schedule, but, anyway, here goes:
For your plans, the #1 choice would be Porta Mari: This was our favorite shore dive and probably our overall favorite because it combines incredible deep and shallow reefs. For you, the shallow reef and area around the "valley" all the way out to the drop-off and down to 60" would be a perfect choice. There is a facility on site for tanks that also offers guided dives (very nice, not at all necessary, but worth it because they know where the good critters are) and the reef is an easy swim out. The coral here is extremely healthy and there is a huge variety. You could easily do 2-3 dives here on different areas of the reef. The beach is lovely, nicely developed with chairs, shady thatched huts, a decent restaurant and bar, a good breeze, very nicely developed. If you have friends who want to "beach out" while you dive, this is, really, the only thing you should do. It is not far from the dock (maybe 30 mins by cab or car). The dive is colorful, comfortable, loaded with tropical fish, and just excellent.
WATAMULA; This was one of the best caribbean reef dives we have ever done. The shallow reef (best between 30 and 50 feet) is absolutely amazing, healthy, lots of huge coral formations, good fish life. You can ohly go by boat. If there is an operator that will take you, we absolutely recommend that you do this dive. Usually the trip will involve a second dive as well. It will be a multi-hour experience, though, and you will not get any "beach time" if you make this dive. However, operators only do this dive a few days in the week so you need to check on both availability and time.
Mustroom Forest: A great dive, by boat only. There is no sign of the oil spill. Ocean Encounters used the spill as the reason for not running the trip last week, but there must be some other reason because there was no sign of the oil, anywhere, either on the reef or along the shore. We had to find a small local operator with a 13' boston whaler to take us out. Given you limited experience that might not suit you. There has been quite a bit of coral bleaching at the mushroom forest and some algea growth in many areas. However, the formations are extremely interesting and there is still a lot of healthy coral around.
Playa Lagun: Another excellent dive, but not quite as much coral as Porto Mari. We did see turtles at Lagun. There is no operator here for tanks and you would have to bring your own in a car. The beach is nice, with a restaurant, but the facilities are not at nice as Porto Mari. It is also significantly farther from town than Porto Mari. I would not recommend this over Porto Mari for your schedule.
The dolphin dive might be a good option, but we did not do that and so cannot comment on it.
I believe you would love Porto Mari. If you wanted to combine it with the dolphin dive that might make an incredible day!
Guy
For your plans, the #1 choice would be Porta Mari: This was our favorite shore dive and probably our overall favorite because it combines incredible deep and shallow reefs. For you, the shallow reef and area around the "valley" all the way out to the drop-off and down to 60" would be a perfect choice. There is a facility on site for tanks that also offers guided dives (very nice, not at all necessary, but worth it because they know where the good critters are) and the reef is an easy swim out. The coral here is extremely healthy and there is a huge variety. You could easily do 2-3 dives here on different areas of the reef. The beach is lovely, nicely developed with chairs, shady thatched huts, a decent restaurant and bar, a good breeze, very nicely developed. If you have friends who want to "beach out" while you dive, this is, really, the only thing you should do. It is not far from the dock (maybe 30 mins by cab or car). The dive is colorful, comfortable, loaded with tropical fish, and just excellent.
WATAMULA; This was one of the best caribbean reef dives we have ever done. The shallow reef (best between 30 and 50 feet) is absolutely amazing, healthy, lots of huge coral formations, good fish life. You can ohly go by boat. If there is an operator that will take you, we absolutely recommend that you do this dive. Usually the trip will involve a second dive as well. It will be a multi-hour experience, though, and you will not get any "beach time" if you make this dive. However, operators only do this dive a few days in the week so you need to check on both availability and time.
Mustroom Forest: A great dive, by boat only. There is no sign of the oil spill. Ocean Encounters used the spill as the reason for not running the trip last week, but there must be some other reason because there was no sign of the oil, anywhere, either on the reef or along the shore. We had to find a small local operator with a 13' boston whaler to take us out. Given you limited experience that might not suit you. There has been quite a bit of coral bleaching at the mushroom forest and some algea growth in many areas. However, the formations are extremely interesting and there is still a lot of healthy coral around.
Playa Lagun: Another excellent dive, but not quite as much coral as Porto Mari. We did see turtles at Lagun. There is no operator here for tanks and you would have to bring your own in a car. The beach is nice, with a restaurant, but the facilities are not at nice as Porto Mari. It is also significantly farther from town than Porto Mari. I would not recommend this over Porto Mari for your schedule.
The dolphin dive might be a good option, but we did not do that and so cannot comment on it.
I believe you would love Porto Mari. If you wanted to combine it with the dolphin dive that might make an incredible day!
Guy
