Any ferries?

[Kharon]

Curacao shore diving is remarkably similar to Bonaire except the entries are much easier - most are beaches. And many have dive facilities on-site also unlike Bonaire. There's also several options for tank swaps/fills besides the ones at affiliated resorts such as Relaxed Guided Dives. Not a lot of true AI dive resorts except Lions Dive but many of the resort/condo/apt's also have affiliated dive shops. If you compare the best of both, IMO Curacao is better diving. Certainly more diverse. www.curacao.com lists most of what you need to know - including dive shops and accommodations in all price ranges.

The go thru EWR suggestion is a good one also. Providenciales in the Turks/Caicos is about a 6hr. connection thru there from Albany. It's pricier there though - like Cayman. And 100% pricier Boat diving.

See what you can do to St. Croix also - there's some shore diving there as well.

I've gone to Bonaire through Curacao and Aruba and I thought about Curacao for diving. The problem is I dive solo and I've been told by dive shops there (email) that it is not permitted.

Another thing - on Bonaire I can rent an apartment for about $65/day and cook for myself. Truck rental and unlimited air are inexpensive. I've been told by someone who lives on Curacao that an apartment would cost far more, truck/car rental would be more and I found no one who would offer an unlimited shore diving package.

Flying through EWR or JFK increases the cost and agravation beyond what it's worth. It's a 4 hour drive each way (gas & tolls) and parking is expensive.

 

[tkaelin]

I looked into solo diving on CUR at least on the west end and came away with the impression that it could be reasonably done. For example staying at All West Apartments and diving/tank packages through Go West. A Studio, with kitchen and car around $150/day. Unlimited Air approx. $33 day. Seemed reasonable.

 

[Kharon]

I looked into solo diving on CUR at least on the west end and came away with the impression that it could be reasonably done. For example staying at All West Apartments and diving/tank packages through Go West. A Studio, with kitchen and car around $150/day. Unlimited Air approx. $33 day. Seemed reasonable.

Thanks. Have to check that out. Maybe Curacao would be a better option.

 

[tkaelin]

There should be some recent posts (last 6 months) about solo diving CUR and I was encouraged. Looks like a good number of shore dive sites you could go on your own, plus house reef at All West plus house reef at Kura Hulanda down the street which is supposed to be one of the best on the island. Go West's main facility is there. I can't remember if Go West has a solo policy but from responses it may be don't ask don't tell and no one reported issues solo diving with Go West tanks, at All West or at Kura Hulanda. CUR is on my 2017 list. Just returned from BON. Airfare a lot cheaper for me with direct flights Jet Blue JFK which I have seen as low as $360.00. BON for me has been $600 plus. Some are suggesting west end diving in CUR is as good if not better than BON.

 

[Kharon]

I just got a quote from CoCo Palm Garden where I have always stayed on Bonaire. Two weeks with apartment with full kitchen, unlimited air and a truck - total price $1900. If I get to Newark I can get a direct flight for about $100 more than Curacao and the Curacao flights are 11 & 20 hour duration. The Bonaire flights are 4½ and 5 hours (same airline - go figure). Plus I really know my way around Bonaire - groceries, food, where to dive - all very close and extremely convienent. Going to book it today.

 

[tkaelin]

Enjoy. Post a trip report.

 

[Kharon]

Will do but it will be a while. First CoCo View late Feb into March. Bonaire won't be till late November.

 

[WarrenZ]

Ocean Encounters was our dive shop during the surge and when asked about my needing a buddy they eventually decided that I could just hang with the group rather then have a designated buddy. I have never had a divemaster so pushy about who my buddy was however I almost never do guided/babysitter dives like we did in Curacao.

 

[deedeediver]

I just got a quote from CoCo Palm Garden where I have always stayed on Bonaire. Two weeks with apartment with full kitchen, unlimited air and a truck - total price $1900. If I get to Newark I can get a direct flight for about $100 more than Curacao and the Curacao flights are 11 & 20 hour duration. The Bonaire flights are 4½ and 5 hours (same airline - go figure). Plus I really know my way around Bonaire - groceries, food, where to dive - all very close and extremely convienent. Going to book it today.

May I ask : What type of accomodatons are these? Is this a hostel or an efficiency, any airco, pool, and how many bedrooms and where is this place? Thank you so much.

 

[diversteve]

Coco Palm Garden - Bonaire vacation rental - diving freediving windsurfing kitesurfing

In Belnem, across the street from the water. Pretty close to Buddy Dive at Belmar Condos IIRC.