Breezes @ Curacao?

[alam555]

Hi,
I am headed to curacao May 10th thru may 17th and am planning on staying at Breezes.

With a 4 yr old, the kidz camp seems attractive, with a pregnant wife, all you can eat seems compelling, with no dive buddy all you can drink seals its.

So the question is: any recent feedback on Breezes? Should I go with the onsite dive shop? or one of the others. I have read good stuff about Dive Bus. My last dive was in Maldives in January and Tahiti prior to that, so I am looking for some different stuff. Boat and Shore. I do get a free dive as well at breezes.

thoughts? comments?

thank you much

 

[Lyle C]

You may want to take a look at Sunset Waters. We are going to Curacao in June. Similiar situation as you, wife a nondiver (not pregnant) and young child. Looked at Breezes as well as others and picked Sunset Waters. However, it does not have the kidz camp. The resort, as well as the local dive operation, gets great reviews on the board as well as other resources.

 

[Kat]

Your wife will love Breezes!

Here is my trip report from Aug. '04, still long & possibly boring.
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=70270&highlight=Curacao+trip+report

 

[CHUD]

Two words: Dive Bus. They'll come and get you and take you where ever you want to dive, and then they'll carry everything for you too. They'll set you up with boat dives too if that's your thing. Mark and Suzy are the best!

 

[ronrosa]

Hi,
I am headed to curacao May 10th thru may 17th and am planning on staying at Breezes.

With a 4 yr old, the kidz camp seems attractive, with a pregnant wife, all you can eat seems compelling, with no dive buddy all you can drink seals its.

So the question is: any recent feedback on Breezes? Should I go with the onsite dive shop? or one of the others. I have read good stuff about Dive Bus. My last dive was in Maldives in January and Tahiti prior to that, so I am looking for some different stuff. Boat and Shore. I do get a free dive as well at breezes.

thoughts? comments?

thank you much

I haven't been to Breezes, but it sounds like the best choice for you and your family. Although I have heard good things about Dive Bus, I believe it is pretty much an all day thing with them. My wife doesn't dive and I know she wouldn't be happy if I was gone everyday from 8 A.M. to 4 P.M.

I would stick with shore dives at the house reef and boat dives with the house operator so you can still spend time with your wife and kid. Maybe do 1 day on the west side for mushroom forest.

 

[CHUD]

The Dive Bus is very non-diver friendly; in fact, that's part of their goal. They welcome the non-divers to come along too and enjoy a day at the beach and/or snorkeling. Now, granted, the non-divers are spending the day at the shore, but in Curacao they might be doing that anyway. My wife doesn't dive and said she really enjoyed when she went to Porto Marie with us when I dove with the Dive Bus -- she spent the day drinking Pina Colada's on a lounge chair.

 

[ronrosa]

The Dive Bus is very non-diver friendly; in fact, that's part of their goal. They welcome the non-divers to come along too and enjoy a day at the beach and/or snorkeling. Now, granted, the non-divers are spending the day at the shore, but in Curacao they might be doing that anyway. My wife doesn't dive and said she really enjoyed when she went to Porto Marie with us when I dove with the Dive Bus -- she spent the day drinking Pina Colada's on a lounge chair.

I tried to convince my wife she would enjoy herself sitting on the beach waiting for me while I shore dove, but she wanted to stay at the Marriott. Can't blame her. Pool, spa, beach, sleep in, room service, etc.. I dove mornings and made it back to the hotel by 1:30 for lunch. Gotta keep the boss happy.

 

[alam555]

Ok, so looks like I am staying at the Breezes. And I will dive with both Ocean Encounters and Dive Bus for a couple of days each with one day for shore, the other for boat. Done.
So now next question:
How does the free shore dive work? Do they usually pair you up with someone or does a DM come along?
Should I make a reservation ahead of time with both?


thank you.

 

[O'Malley]

How does the free shore dive work? Do they usually pair you up with someone or does a DM come along?

When my wife and I were at the Marriott this past January, I did one guided shore dive with the DM to get to know the house reef. For the remaining days, I left my cell phone number (rental from the Marriott) with the dive shop to call or give out to anyone wanting to do some shore diving in the afternoons and evenings...I was lucky and made a couple dives this way. The Marriott isn't nearly as dive orientated as other resorts on the island, such as Habitat and Sunset Waters, and finding buddies to make an occasional dive with was difficult. Perhaps, this may be an option with more success at Breezes...

 

[scubatexastony]

Breezes is almost next door to the Dive Bus! When we dive at the Hut, out to car pile and turn, we are right in front of the Resort. It's a nice reef. Maybe we'll hook up for a weekend dive or a Wednesday night dive at the Hut. If you have free dives at Breezes (Ocean Encounters) I reckon you grab a tank and go in the water! Maybe they can hook you up with a insta'buddy. I'm flyin home tomorrow for a whole week and and a weekend! WHOOHOO

tony