Curacao Insights

[billsharp]

We're planning on going to Curacao when the water is warm, warm, warm, like early August.

What are your experiences for a place to stay and the "do not miss" dives ?

What boat dives are "must do's" ?

I enjoy shore diving (Aruba) and worked on a dive boat last year in Key Largo, where boat diving is a must, but frankly, I prefer shore diving.

What about beaches including resort beaches and snorkeling for my wife ?

Are there any local contacts I should make ?

Thanks for your insights,

Bill
Ft. Worth

[LeeParrish]

The group I'm taking open water certification with (DiveTulsa) did a trip down there a while back. One of the instructors told me not to miss the "Mushroom Forest". I'm going out with the same group this coming weekend, so I'll try to get some more info from them for any other recommendations since I'm heading down to Curacao in 3 weeks. I'll be sure to post when I get back myself, but I doubt one trip will make me much of an expert. We are staying at the Marriott, which is supposed to have a decent snorkel reef on their private beach, but I'll have to wait to see how it looks when we get there.

[mmakay]

We leave tonight for Curacao. It's our second trip.

Curacao is all nice. I don't think there are any specific dives that seriously overshadow the others. Mushroom Forest is the dive everyone mentions, but we didn't get there on our first trip. It's on the schedule this time. We had a fantastic dive at Porta Marie. Tug Boat is another nice spot.

All week I will be uploading photos to my Flickr page. Keep an eye out for my post and you can see for yourself!

[boates]

Mushroom forest is a beautiful dive, quite a distance from the Marriott. It's the shore dive for Sunset Waters. Having been to Cur 9 x's, I can assure you, you won't be disappointed! Car pile is interesting. Try to get to any of the double reef dives. Dove the wreck (forget the name Trader?) right at the entrance of the harbor, once, nicely overgrown with corls, but can have nasty current conditions. Safe travels. Oh, and check out the floating market in town!

[Curacao Sunshine]

We like the beaches, diving and snorkeling so much on the west end that we moved to Westpunt 2 years ago.

Lodging on the west end:
Habitat and various villas at St. Willibordus
Sunset Waters and various villas at Santa Marta
Lagun Blou, Bahia Inn, Dolphin Heart Heart House and other apartments in Lagun
The Lodge Kura Hulanda, All West, Rancho Sobrino and of course us in Westpunt

Recommended snorkeling:
Tug Boat
Marriott
Porto Marie is very popular but not my favorite
Cas Abou another beautiful beach like PM but again not high on my snorkel list
Lagun is my favorite
Jeremi
Westpunt Bay
Kalki

Shore diving - everywhere
West end air available at
Habitat (Daibooi next door)
Porto Marie
Cas Abou
Sunset Waters
Lagun (Jeremi next door)
Kalki (Westpunt Bay next door)
2 of our favorite shore dives are at San Juan - Playa Largu and Shon Mosa - no facilities
The wreck of the Superior Producer and not be done if there is a ship moored at the Mega Pier. Check with your hotel for a pier schedule.

Boat dives:
Watamula
East Point
Redhio

If you want nightlife, casinos, fancy restaurants, stay in town. The new Renaissance by Marriott is pretty special and within walking distance to most of the museums, gyms, a spa, shopping, the floating bridge and restaurants galore.

If you just want to dive and chill, consider staying on the west end.
Either way, rent a car to see the whole island.

Let me know if you have any specific questions.
curacaosunshine@gmail.com