Just back from Curacao

[petemoss]

Stayed at the Marriott. Spectacular resort. Great snorkeling and great dive shop. Saw 3 spotted eels snorkeling one morning. One big one was just free swimming in the sand on the outside of the rocks. Did 4 shore dives from there and 1 trip to the mushroom forest. Saw a beautiful seahorse on third shore dive. This was our main goal and I couldn't believe it when I saw it. Was so excited I must have lost 200psi of air trying to show it to my girlfriend. She said she would marry me a while back if we saw one. Don't worry. I won't hold her to that. It was a great conversation piece though.

Pete

 

[5166narda]

We are going on Saturday and staying at the MArriott. Did you rent tanks at each site and take from the Marriott? What site did you see the seahorse on? Any other tips for diving in Curacao?

 

[petemoss]

we did 4 shore dives right from the resort. The dive shop is on the right side of the resort. You can rent anything from there. We saw the seahorse on our third shore dive at 39 feet. You will enter the water right in front of the shop. We entered and went left at anywhere from 60 to 70 feet and returned at 30 to 50 feet. W e are not that experienced but I thought it was excellent. Numerous morays. Saw about a 5 foot tarpon also. We only did a boat dive to the mushroom forest. It is up the coast a ways. This is a must dive. We were driven up to their other dive shop at Cas Abou and proceeded from there on a zodiac. They are an excellent dive shop as far as i am concerned. The snorkeling was excellent also at the resort. The resort is very nice. You will love it hopefully. We did the fourth shore dive the next day after seeing the seahorse because we wanted a picture. I bought one of those cheap cameras and all but unfortunately it moved and we could not locate it. Have a great time. Iwish I was there now.

Pete

 

[morecowbells]

Thanks for taking the time to post this great report! It is encouraging to read about the numerous fish that you encountered, especially after seeing posts which talk about the lack of marine life. Your girlfriend was probably thrilled about seeing the seahorse in more ways than one. Time to make your move

 

[petemoss]

Your welcome. Curacao had a rare bad tropical storm a month or so earlier. I was told it was better before this hit. Also if you want to hear a fantastic story, go talk to the lady who has the giftshop at the hilton next door. An incredible story. Her and her husband started the first dive shop on the island in 1966.

Pete

 

[UnderwaterArchy]

That's an excellent report. I will be in Curacao in April for a wedding (not my own) and want to get some diving in. I am staying at Breezes so I imagine I can at least dive the reef there each morning but with any luck I can get to the other side of the island and do a couple of boat dives as well. Hopefully the marine life will be in better shape by that point.

 

[5166narda]

Thanks so much for the information, I am really looking forward to diving there next week and I will let you know what we find.

 

[TN Traveler]

Thanks so much for the information, I am really looking forward to diving there next week and I will let you know what we find.

Please post a report when you get back. We will be in Curacao Dec 13-20 and have been curious if the storm did any significant damage.

 

[irie1029]

Just back yesterday... seems to go too quick. I dove half as much as I planned as the weather was not most cooperative. I dove Marriott house reef last year and last saturday. There is substantial sand deposited by Omar down to about 20 feet. It is like a giant snow drift... Below that it is beautiful.

If you are at Breezes see the Dive Bus next door - great people... and do a dive at that reef... I dove that reef 3 times and it is in great shape with some damage as I was told to about 20 feet. I have not dove that before so I cannot say it was or was not damaged. Good stuff to see none the less. Also they will take you to other shore dives.. pretty cool.

Alice in Wonderland at OE West was a most beautiful dive as well.

You will enjoy your trip for sure. And i totally agree Carib Sea Sports at the Marriott is a class act.

 

[TN Traveler]

Glad to hear that Alice in Wonderland was a great dive. We are staying at Kura Hulanda and will be diving it 4-5 days (plus nights).