Bonaire vs. Curacao

[Carbomb]

We had the same dilemma a few years ago and chose Curacao. It was a good choice, CUR is a great place and Porto Mari became one of our favorite places to plop the non-divers in the sand or the bar, then dive (we could get fresh tanks right there at the dive shack).
On another trip, we left the non-divers at home and went to BON and have been hooked ever since.

 

[Curacao Sunshine]

David and I looked in Bonaire before buying in Westpunt - which is out in the country and similar to living in Bonaire but with a city just a 40 minute drive away. It was much more expensive. Now, I'm glad we did, there is much more here - and better grocery stores. There is a lot do do above the waterline but your friends/family will definitely need a car. There is another forum just for Curacao on TripAdvisor. A member, Winteravoider has recently done a bang up job of listing various aspects of the island. You can find his info on the thread marked "Weather in August". We think that most of the great dives can be done from shore with the exception of a few. Watamula is in our opinion the best dive site on the island. For some reason it is not marked in many dive books or on the drive and dive map. It is possible it is not because it can not be done from shore and it is too far for many of the dive operations to do by boat. When you come, I strongly suggest you book with Ocean Encounters WEST to go to Watamula. We have an info sheet we have started for our guests. If you send me your email address, I can send you a copy. David and I got our certification in Bonaire and returned a few times. The diving is fantastic there but... it's pretty special here in Curacao. Why not spend a week on both islands and write a comparison? Please let me know if you'd like any specific info on the island.
Sunshine
Curacao Sunshine - Rental Property on the Island of Curacao
curacaosunshine@gmail.com

 

[lmorin]

Re the quality comparison of Curacao and Bonaire dives.....It appears that there are two somewhat different sectors in both Curacao and Bonaire. In the latter, one sector would be Klein Bonaire, where the sites are reachable only by boat, and on the main island where most everything can be done as a shore dive. In Curacao, the shore dives are predominantly in the south (major exceptions, however), with dives requiring boat access predominantly along the north coast (again, exceptions noted).

I cannot speak from personal experience about the more southerly shore dives on Curacao. But, I was very happy with most of the dives done with Sunset Divers along the coast north of Sunset Waters. These were every bit as good as any dives I have done in Bonaire. Having recently returned from a second trip to Bonaire, I am all the more of the opinion that, at least from Sunset Waters north to the Westpunt area, the Curacao diving is as good as that in Bonaire.

 

[dvrliz1]

Ok, the little voice from Bonaire...squeek..squeek...

Let's see...Bonaire has guided snorkeling, mangrove kayaking, sailng, beaches, landsailing, parasailing, an amazing pink beach almost 1/4 mile long, the salt piles & salinas, amazing butterfly farm, donkey sanctuary, horseback riding, cave snorkeling, a cool whale skeleton at the museum at the entrance to the natural park, island tours, windsurfing, kitesurfing, waterskiing/waterboarding, sailing, sailing on a thai junk at sunset with munchies and drinks, day trips to klein bonaire with BBQ, some shopping, especially the local market at Wilhemina Park, the Casino at Divi, Pool lounging, tours with Jerry Ligon and amazing bird watching, Gotomeer (Goto Lake) and flamingos, prikechi's and loras.....and I know I'm forgetting more....

Why not Bonaire?????

 

[dogenia]

Liz Liz Liz, tsk tsk tsk. You forgot the most important part of Bonaire, The Golden Reef Inn.
For those wondering Liz got me pampered for my upcoming trip to Bonaire.

Don

 

[morecowbells]

Wow Alashas those photos are simply amazing! I can't get over the water clairty. I have received so much help on this forum. Thaks everybody!

 

[alashas]

You are welcome, morecowbells!

If you like visibility, here is the water at Playa Kalki, where the dive site "Alice in Wonderland" is located, as well as as the Ocean Encounters West dive shop:

You can see the reef and the mooring balls here:

Just east of Kalki is Playa Piscado:

And just east of Piscado is Playa Forti:

all here are all 3:

Here are a few uw shots of the visibility at the dive site "Rediho:"

And here is one at the "Paradise" site:

And I can't recall the name of this beach at the moment. Please feel free to help me if anyone knows:

safe travels and great diving, alashas http://honeymoon2.smugmug.com/

 

[Kukuisa]

The last picture is of Playa Abao, a.k.a. Grote Knip.

 

[Tennessee Slim]

Regarding the post about cruise ship passengers enjoying Curacao, I'd say the simple fact that they're cruise ship passengers calls their judgment to question.

morecowbells, that's a tough call. The diving on Bonaire is just simpler. So is the life. The attitude is more relaxed. Less trouble with traffic and foul-tempered locals (both of which are admittedly less problematic out Westpunt than nearer to Willemstad).

If your companions are inquisitive and adventurous, I'd say Bonaire. If they require manufactured entertainment, ...Curacao.

 

[morecowbells]

I have been reading everyone's comments and appreciate all input. It is such a trip for me to see the amazing water clarity and such calm seas. Sounds like either island is a safe bet weatherwise. I swear that I bring the bad weather with me. Although in Coz and Saba we had wonderful dives, we always had a Norte or rough seas. That is part of the reason why these islands sound appealing.

I have been reading up in Undercurrent and Bonaire and Curacao are described as Macro sealife with vibrant coral. Will I still get to see the parrotfish and angelfish? They are some of my favorite things to photograph. I don't have a macro option with my camera. Does one island have larger sealife than the other? Thanks again. I really have been learning a lot!