Diving and Snorkeling
Curaçao diving and snorkeling
Possibly the Curaçao vacation to go on is a Curaçao diving holiday. The tropical Curaçao weather means that the sea water around the coast is almost ideal to dive in all around the year. Apart from the vast array of Caribbean fish to be seen there are over 60 species of coral, many of which are of the hard variety. Along with the sea being warm around the island of Curaçao you also get that beautiful azure sea color and an underwater visibility of an incredible 30 meters or more.
The main Curaçao diving areas
The main Curaçao diving areas are on the west coast of the island, starting south from Westpunt down to St Marie and then again following the Baca St Marie down to St Michael. Finally off the southern coast of the island, below Willemstad, there’s the National Underwater Park between Spaanse Water and Oostpunt. Diving sites at the Curaçao National Underwater Park are renowned for the variety of fish that you can see there ranging from yellowfish, octopuses and tiger groupers; through to somewhat larger fish like the
Caribbean Reef Shark. As many of the reefs are very close to the shore its not just Curaçao scuba divers that can enjoy viewing the sea life at close quarters; if you’re a reasonable swimmer with a minimum of expense and help you can turn your holiday into a Curaçao snorkeling vacation – and still enjoy getting close to all the great sea life. Whilst experienced divers can organize their own dive Curaçao expeditions – there are plenty of Curaçao diving schools where you can learn to dive or take diving qualifications. If you’re diving within a couple of miles of Willemstad or the Sint Annabaai, do take extra care as this is a very busy shipping lane.
Curaçao diving conditions
Although way back in geological time Curaçao was formed by volcanic activity, today you’ll start a Curaçao diving trip from limestone cliffs. With reefs accessible in as little as 1.5 meters of water even the most novice of dive Curaçao beginners can soon appreciate the delights of a diving in Curaçao or just having a go at Curaçao snorkeling. Don’t forget that the three main Curaçao diving areas all have officially protected reef systems. For the more experienced and adventurous divers depths of 60m are all within reach of the coast line and even in these deeper reaches the visibility can still be as good as 15 meters. Along a 30 mile stretch of coastline there are some 40 odd moored dive sites, alternatively you can go out on a boat with one of the dive schools which usually have two morning and one afternoon dives.
Curaçao diving opportunities
There’s plenty of variation in the type of Curaçao diving opportunities you can experience; amongst which are reef drop-offs, sand banks, wrecks and even an artificial reef formed from a car pile. The various conditions of their formation, and the currents around them, all help to make a Curaçao scuba diving vacation one full of new experiences and pleasures. A short boat ride away is Klein Curaçao, a volcanic island off the southern tip; somewhat more out to sea and with a different coastal geology this dive site offers new challenges and sights to be seen. Something you’ll need to do with the help and instruction of a local dive-master is to try the ‘Animal encounter program’ at the Curaçao Sea Aquarium. Following instruction you can be given access to one of the natural sea fed pools and, with a bait bucket attached to your buoyancy compensator, go off and feed the tarpon, jacks and stingrays etc. Don’t be put off by the sight of sharks or giant sea turtles swimming near by; they’re in other pools to the one you are in and the pools are separated by plexi-glass. But here’s the really cool bit – the plexi-glass has holes just big enough to put your bait through so you can also feed the sharks. Be sure to count your fingers if the sharks are quicker that you thought arriving for their meal! A quick search on the internet will list plenty of Curaçao diving schools, many of which operate out of the Curaçao hotels.