On the western side, we have stayed at Lagun Blou, Allwest Apartments and Nos Krusero. Would recommend all three.
I have some old notes compiled from researching Westpunt options; last opened back in 2019, so may be outdated or have some errors. Even if not, I still couldn't decide for sure whether I'd prefer All West Apartments or Nos Krusero if I ever make it to Westpunt.
Do you think this summary is accurate? If so, might help somebody trying to weigh their choices. I think I've read in somebody's trip report about tank access somewhere changing? It's been 3 years...
All West Apartments gets a lot of attention. Go West has a gear room at All West Apartments, but it’s about a 2-minute drive to the main Go West dive shop, where you boat their boat for boat dives. That dive shop is at another property, Nos Krusero, and Go West offers dive/stay packages at both All West and Nos Krusero with similar pricing, and both sites have a praised shore diving site. So, how to choose? TKaelin stayed at both and thought Nos Krusero was less expensive, but specials might change that. Nos Krusero has a pool area; All West Apartments does not.
Nos Krusero packages by Go West don’t include a rental vehicle; I was told by a Go West representative the trucks and cars at All West Apartments are all reserved for their guests. I was told Nos Krusero is across the street from (about 1-minute walk) the dive shop (where you can store your dive gear), which has both air and nitrox tanks. TKaelin noted his apartment was basic and mosquitos problematic despite screens; he liked the sweeping views of the ocean and hills of Christoffel Park, and said their 3rdfloor apartment has a great porch and view, and the location and price were unbeatable.
The onsite shore dive is Playa Kalki (a.k.a. Alice in Wonderland). TKaelin preferred it to Playa Piscado (more interesting reef, shorter swim out, less boat traffic), and said diving it was very easy without small boat traffic, and with a line from dock-to-reef, navigation was a snap. Tkaelin noted Go West has a nice setup with tanks, benches, shade, showers, lockers, storage and a retail store, coffee for their divers and a small beach bar serving food starting around noon. Unlike at All West tanks are
not available 24/7 – Go West hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (as is your tank & gear access); you can get your gear and some tanks out during business hours if you plan to dive outside them.
There’s an in-town restaurant with good prices and menu that delivers to Go West dive shop; Tkaelin’s were delivered in about 20-minutes.
Note: Go West Dive Shop is located at the south end of Lodge Kura Hulanda, but what I’ve read of it recently has been less than complimentary, though things may change.
All West Apartments is a 2-story complex with about 15 ocean-front/facing units and no pool. Go West packages can include rental cars (automatic) or trucks (manual transmission). Tkaelin indicated it’s 30-something steps down to the water for the shore dive. They don’t have a dive shop but have a gear/tank room – but you can only get air tanks here, not nitrox. If you stay at All West and want to dive nitrox, you’ll need to drive about 2-minutes to their dive shop to pick up nitrox tanks. Tkaelin had a room beside the gear/tank room but they left their gear on the porch and walked over to pick up tanks. Go West employee Andreas left weights in Tkaelin’s room so they could start diving their arrival evening.
All West has grills and charcoal.
The onsite shore dive is Playa Piscado (a.k.a. Grandi). Tkaelin said diving there requires being observant of small boats as it’s an active area for fisherman; there’s a dock and ~ dozen small boats. He was complimentary of both shore sites, but deemed Playa Kalki superior to Playa Piscado (but thought Piscado had more bait balls/turtles). An All West advantage is air tanks are available 24/7 and you have a key to the gear room. Dmaziuk noted their gear room is nice – spacious with wind blowing through so gear doesn’t smell like stale pee the next morning.
