Curacao dive operator recommendation for a beginner and a newbie?

[dome]

Any dive operator recommendations for an august trip?

I dive once a year (cozumel, turks and caicos) for the past four years.
Diving with my son who will be on his first dives since being certified.

We'll have a car for the week. Don't have our own dive equipment - just snorkel equipment. Looking to get a few days of diving in. And may have a couple of snorkelers joining us.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Dom

 

[diversteve]

For boat diving try Ocean Encounters - they're one of the largest dive operators and see divers of all skill levels regularly. In the Westpunt area use Go West Diving.

For escorted shore diving there's the Dive Bus - they're often recommended here. Snorkelers can join you at many of the sites for 1/2 the dive price - there will be good snorkeling at many sites also.

 

[jdcpa]

Another vote for Go West in Westpunt.

Also a great shore dive, and the snorkelers can follow along on the top.

 

[Bryan.]

Thanks for the recommendation... any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.

Additionally, check out our website for alot of info including our YouTube Channel, Facebook page and Tripadvisor reviews!!

 

[dome]

Thanks for the recommendations. I'll look into those spots. I appreciate the help.

 

[FlamingoVilla]

Dom, Where are you staying in Curacao? That may have a big influence on the dive operator you choose.

Flamingo~

 

[dome]

Staying in breezes, and have a car. We're in Curacao mainly to snorkel as much of the island as we can (not guided) but want to sneak off for a 2 tank dive or two.

Thanks,
Dom

 

[diversteve]

Ocean Encounters is onsite at Breezes and the Dive Bus is just across the street. OE has a lot of rental gear at their main location next to the SeaAquarium - 5mins. east - IDK about their satellite shop at Breezes.

You should also snorkel at the Tugboat - in fact you could dive it while the others snorkel. The boat is on the bottom at 17' and there's a pier there to dive also - if there's no ships moored. I never considered it but I guess you could snorkel it also. If you wanted to try an easy beach entry shore dive by yourselves - that might be a good option. There's also a dive school onsite but I think we brought tanks with us as they may not rent to walk-ins. You can see the ball (actually it's a piling) for the Tugboat from shore - ask at the school. It's one of the signature dives on Curacao. Don't go around the point though, it gets deep and the currents can be swift once you get away from the wall. It's a 3-5 min. swim south to that area so you'd have to work to get there. The Dive Bus goes there also - so do the cruise ship snorkel excursions. My friends were there when about 100 snorkelers dropped in on them.

From Breezes Westpunt is probably the better part of an hour drive. But they have close access to arguably the two best dives on Curacao - Playa Kalki from shore and Watamula by boat. Although Watamula may be (ask Bryan) a little too advanced for your son - I don't know the depth/current there.

Other good snorkels (some you can dive also) Porto Mari, Varsenbaai (look for turtles eating grass in 6' east of the dock) Playa Lagun (more turtles) and Playa Jeremi. I don't snorkel but I did along the cliffs at Jeremi waiting for my friends. There's overhanging rocks and interesting nook/crannies along the west side. There's no facilities there - one of few locations there aren't. The others will have a dive op/snack shop/beach rental place etc. onsite.

 

[dome]

Great information, thanks! We're planning on heading Westpunt at least once for exploring and snorkeling - sounds like I may need to incorporate a dive there. He's a strong swimmmer and snorkeler - but new to diving. Easy beach shore dives sound good too. I appreciate the advice.

 

[diversteve]

Actually all the sites I mentioned above are easy beach entries. A couple even have dive docks. A lot of west Curacao is ironshore based so in a couple places they're needed - like Westpunt in front of Go West. There's also beach access a short walk away. You can get a good idea of entries etc. here: Scuba Shore Diving Site Listing for: Curacao, ABC Islands - each site listing has photographs and descriptions.