You mentioned Curacao as a possible destination... we were there for a couple of weeks in Feb - March and did our boat diving with Go West Diving up by Westpunt. They are a great operation, however there is a long set of concrete stairs to get from the parking lot to the dive shop at water level. They have 2 boats both of their boats have platforms off the back for a stride entry and about 3 steps up the ladder. The DM's and boat captains were very helpful.
The dock entry to their house reef (
also called Alice in Wonderland) also permits a giant stride into the water and the stairs to clime up are great, rails on both sides and angled just like walking up stairs on land, about 6 steps... you can sort of see the stairs at the end of the dock on the page in the link below.
https://www.gowestdiving.com/about-us.html
Like Bonaire Curacao also has great shore diving, I asked a more travelled fellow diver one day what the difference was between Bonaire & Curaco, his reply was that they are very much the same but that Curacao's shore entries tended to be easier, less rugged. (a
lthough Bon has more of the large fish species),
The shore locations we dove were sandy beaches with no uneven rocky surfaces to navigate. We dove Cas Abou, Playa Langun andd Puerto Mari as they had facilities at those locations so we didn't have to cart air along with us. Air ranges for $8 - $10/tank.
Discover Diving is located at Play Langun where you will find a nice sandy beach (
I found my first sea horse there)
Discoverdiving & Restaurant -> Diving & Courses -> Divecenter they take you with their truck to other dive spots
Cas Abou has a great beach with restaurant and full facilities a great place to spend the day, lockers to keep your stuff in while diving. Again this is a sandy and easy shore entry
Cas Abao Beach Watersports and Shop
Porto Mari also has a great beach with full facilities and an easy, sandy shore entry.
As we stayed up at the west end of the island, I cannot tell you about the operators or dive sites to the south. Although Ocean Encounters has a very good reputation.
... in the event you select Curacao for this trip, a couple of things to keep in mind - several of the apartment/condo style accomodations up near Westpunt tend to have stairs to a bedroom on the upper level, so keep that in mind but if you use VRBO you will see each place and the pictures. If you tend to stay in resorts/hotel, the stairs is not an issue.
at least do hook up with Go West Diving on Thursdays they have a Lion Fish hunting expedition with a feast of the Lionfish you just caught afterwards. I'd be happy to share our experiences)
I have a wonky knee too after a dirt biking injury and 2 surgeries several years ago I have no ACL in my left knee for stability. Some how I just know you will be dilligent following the exercises given by your physiotherapist
cheers and stay safe
Ann