Decisions, Decisions! (Need Help with Curacao Plans)

[BuceoMan]

Hello, i am planning a trip last week of this month. At this point it is between Cozumel and Curacao. I have never dived either, though i have visited Cozumel a couple times in years past, before i was a diver, so i have an idea of what the island is like. I have never been to Curacao, though i have wanted to, because flights from Toronto(my home) are usually double that of someplace such as Cozumel, ie: $1000+. However, i have found a direct, non-stop flight for the week i'm looking for only $420cdn(less than $400us) which is very low, less than flight to Cozumel($650) in fact. Thing is, once on the islands, from what i've found, Cozumel is cheaper. I am travelling alone and would like to do boat dives since i don't have a buddy to dive with and Curacao is mostly known for its shorediving. I would have to rely on meeting others to dive with to shoredive. I know of the Dive Bus service, but they are in Willemstad and i was looking at basing in the West end(All West Apts) as i am looking for a natural, quiet vacay(i have stressful job in big city and need to get away from all that). So based on my predicament(solo traveller, budget oriented, boat dives), what do you think? Coz or Curacao? I will post this in Cozumel forum as well so as to get opinions from both sides. Thanks in advance.

 

[morecowbells]

Have been to Cozumel a few times and just returned from Curacao. I will offer my two cents for what it is worth. Although both places are vastly different from eachother, they will offer you wonderful diving.

Cozumel:

The good:
Wonderful swim throughs and wall diving. Diving is all drift diving. My husband loves it. I am not as wild about drift diving because it makes it so darn hard to take pictures when the current is pulling you along. The reefs were devistated from hurricane Wilma a few years ago. There is still damaged and sand covered coral. HOWEVER, within one year I noticed a profound difference. With each visit, I have seen more and more fish-especially grouper. I feel there was more variety of marine life in Coz as well as better chances to encounter your larger fish i.e grouper, sharks etc.

Cozumel is a small island so it does not involve too much time driving. I feel there are many more dining options in Cozumel. You will find a variety of restaurants of varying ethnicity. I enjoy Yucatan cuisine so tend to dine at those places. Lodging can range from spartan to first class amenities such as The Presidente.

The bad and ugly:
I have never gotten sick when in Coz. I do however use bottled water for drinking and brushing my teeth. You do run the risk of Montezuma's Revenge if you are not careful or unlucky. Topside Cozumel is bland. No hills, hikes or waterfalls. Visiting in the wintertime can get chilly once a Norte moves through. Unfortunately the cold fronts that hit the US punch through to Coz. Not devistating but storms can cause ports to close for a couple of days-especially the dive ops with small boats. Not much for shore dives. You are in the hurricane belt and take a risk when traveling Jul-Oct. Downtown Coz gets flooded with cruise ship passengers during the day. You will see your fair share of soberiety-challenged-puking-ballon-hat-wearing American passengers leaving Senor Frog around 4 pm. In the evening and Sundays it is calm again. My biggest peeve with Coz is the storefront hawkers and time share salesman who are relentless and pushy to extremes.

Curacao:

The good:
The coral is pristine. Amazing, healthy formations. You do not need to go terribly deep to see some good stuff. No current which makes it nice to swim around and explore. I have read about over fishing in Curacao but we saw plenty. However, absent were the sharks and grouper. Topside is much more interesting and dramatic. We stayed at All West and near by were Sol Food and Rancho El Sobrero which were great. Quite honestly, I did not find the prices on food and drinks to be expensive. I felt prices were comparable to the US, perhaps a little more than what we paid on Coz but not nearly as much as anticipated. You are not in the hurricane belt.

Shore diving. It was so nice to be able to dive on our own schedule and choice of sites. I know you mentioned the lack of a dive buddy, however, if you post your dates on this website and on Tripadvisor I am sure you will get some responses and offers.

The bad and ugly:
There can be a lot of driving around. I was very happy with our choice to stay in Westpunt and would absolutely stay there again. However, in order to get supplies or groceries you are looking at a good 40 minute drive each way. Your dining/grocery choices are very limited. I saw many more stray dogs in Curacao than I did in Coz. For the past few years the Coz Humane Society has been very active in spay/neuter projects and I can tell a difference.

There is really no bad decision here. Both places have so much to offer divers. Both places are in my top two dive vacations!

 

[bubblejunki]

Hi Buceoman,
Congratualtions on the cheap flights. Both dive destinations are great choices but if you have enver been to Curacao before you should try it. The shore diving is excellent. Unfortunately the boats tend to bring you to the same dive destinations are the shore based operations. If you are looking for a quiet location you don't nned to go West, the East point of the island is also beautiful and there are a lot of independent appartments in these areas.
Morecowbells is right. If you are based in the West shopping is a pain especially in the early morning traffic.
But it is well worth a day trip just to see the splendid beauty of the island. Don't worry about finding a buddy you can contact any dive center and they will accomadate you.

 

[CheddarChick]

I vote for Curacao. I also think depending on which end of the island you are on makes such a difference in the vacation you are looking for. There are so many resorts and condo rentals avaliable you can pick & choose what type of vacation you want. High end resort: Marriott Private digs: ask for Curacao Sunshine to see if she has room in her place. Shore diving sooooooo easy. Need a buddy, call the Dive Bus or any of the number of Dive Ops on the island...

 

[BuceoMan]

Thank you for your input, very good info.
To Bubblejunki: by East point, what do you mean? Are there names of towns, areas i should be looking for if searching for accomodations? Again, don't want to sound anti-social, but i am looking for a quiter vacation spot with little traffic, etc. For those who know, i'm thinking French St.Martin(preferred) vs. the Dutch side.(no offence to the Dutch,haha)
To CheddarChick: i am not looking for anything fancy as i am on a budget and being from Canada, everything is already 25% extra because of the us exchange rate. I thought the West end would suit me best because i am looking for more of a getaway from hustle/bustle, i get enough of that at home, don't need nitelife, casinos or other tourists around. Perhaps Curacao is the wrong place for me?

 

[CheddarChick]

Absolutely not..Curacao is tailor made for just this thing...Airfare is usually the most $$$ part of the trip. Let me find CuracaoSunshine and see if she can help...

 

[BuceoMan]

Absolutely not..Curacao is tailor made for just this thing...Airfare is usually the most $$$ part of the trip. Let me find CuracaoSunshine and see if she can help...

This is why i have Curacao on the radar at the moment, I found a direct flight from Toronto for $420return. The flight is ususally over $1000. I appreciate your help, thanks.

 

[Diver OnLu]

The shore diving is excellent. Unfortunately the boats tend to bring you to the same dive destinations are the shore based operations.

Hi Buceo Man,

I see our fellow board members already provided you with a lot of valuable information.
Let me just add two comments on Curacao, especially All West Apartments (I work there).

Most important, it is not true that our boat dives mainly lead to dive sites you can easily do from shore: except for Playa Jeremy all our boat dive sites are not/only with difficulties accessible from shore.
We can organize for a pickup every morning at the apartments to bring you to the dive shop (Ocean Encounters West) where the boat trips start.

Or you do yourself a favour and rent a small car, so you can roam around the island whenever you are not diving. Morecowbells already mentioned that there are hardly any grocery stores (except for Toko Ku Fe, a tiny shop in Westpoint) at walking distance. On the other hand, there are 3 minimarkets/supermarkets at far less than 40 minutes driving distance; the closest one you find in Barber after 10 minutes by car.

Now the sad part of the story: If you want to come end of this month, I am afraid we might not have a room available for you; but if you send me your preferred travel dates, I will gladly check for you.
Other nice accomodations you may find at Curacao Sunshine - Rental Property on the Island of Curacao or :: Marazul Dive Resort ::.

Whatever you decide to do - have a beautiful trip and wonderful dives!

Kind regards from Curacao
Andreas

 

[Curacao Sunshine]

A.
It sounds like you haven't heard from a few places on the island. I have sent you two emails. if you do not see them, please check your spam or junk boxes. Hope to see you soon.

 

[bubblejunki]

Hi Buceoman,

By East Point I mean the East side of the island. Lots of nice diving there.
Have you tried Limestone Holiday Apartment, very nice and secluded on Spanish Water with their own private beach. Check out their website.
I stayed there and really liked it.

Happy Hunting