Curacao Family Trip & Dive Report – Modem Crasher

[snoballz]

I spent 7 nights at in Curacao and had 10 dives in 5 days while trying to manage quality family time. We stayed at the Marriott and due to scheduling most dives were through Ocean Encounters out of the Hilton and three were with Caribbean Sea Sports out of the Marriott.

The people at both dive ops were very kind, courteous, and friendly. I have nothing but praise for each but as mentioned, I chose OE for the most of the dives because of the schedule. They also made things convenient by providing me a locker so I didn’t have to haul my stuff back and forth from the two hotels.

The dives included the house reef at the Hilton and the Marriott, East Point, Klein Curacao, Small Wall, Cornelius Bay, Mushroom Forest, Porto Marie, Superior Producer, and Saba. Unfortunately, I did not get to dive Watamula, which is a dive I look forward to doing the next time I’m in Curacao. I did feel somewhat guilty leaving my wife and my four month old son. But we all did have a great time.

The next time I visit, I will most likely stay at the Marriott (or Hilton). The amenities provide comfort and respite for my wife and child. I’ll rent a car and head to OE West for some of the diving on that side of the island.

Although the accounts of the trip are in chronological order, the photos are not.
In any event, I hope you enjoy.

Packed the wife and kid and headed down to Curacao for some relaxing and some diving.

Also, packed up some necessities. For those into horology, the UTS 3000M PVD, PAM064C, and my Oceanic VT3 dive computer.

Landed at the cover of night.

But woke up to sunshine and coconuts.

Did some sightseeing in Willemstad on the first day.

 

[snoballz]

The next several days were about diving.

The next several photos are from a night dive at the Marriott House Reef.

Another day of diving.

Klein Curacao

Moray eel

 

[snoballz]

During surface intervals, I spent time with my wife and baby boy. Note to self. When taking the baby into the water, make sure pockets are empty.

My Blackberry is fried.

Anyway, more diving to be had.

The elusive Frog Fish at the Hilton House Reef.

Mushroom Forest

A barracuda kept following us.

Time to chill with the family and watch the sunset.

 

[snoballz]

So for dinner, we all had drinks. Of course, I had the “girlie” drink.

Onto more manlier stuff… more diving.

On my way down…

… to check out Superior Producer.

A few things growing from the hull.

Back-up just in case.

At Saba, there was a sunken tugboat.

 

[snoballz]

Some other random shots of the wildlife.

Time to hang up the regulator and enjoy family time for the reminder of the trip.

 

[snoballz]

Visted Shete Boka on the west end of the island.

Rough seas.

I did not get a chance to dive Watamula but did visit the site.

Since we were in the neighborhood, we stopped in to Sol. What a fabulous place. Awesome people and great food. I even bought a t-shirt (my only purchase on this trip). Thanks Sunshine and David!

Sunshine, thanks for the information packet. It's chock full of useful tidbits. Also, the brownie is just insane!

Thanks for letting me share!

 

[Curacao Sunshine]

I recognized that baby! I only wished I knew you were the snoballz! See you next visit. Great pictorial trip report. Next visit, you and me on a west end dive. We can work it around family time. Sunshine

 

[morecowbells]

Awsome report and pictures! Although it does sting a little bit when everyone else manages to see a Frogfish except me I'm sure you have one of your sunset photos as a screensaver. They really capture the vibe.

 

[ScubaSam]

Great pics, Luke, thanks for posting. Brings back so many happy memories of my trip there and the fantastic diving!!!

Your son is adorable and sure to be a heart breaker when he grows up!

 

[frostfire]

Excellent! Thanks for sharing! We'll be there in 39 days...not that I'm counting ;-P. My kid is so psyched to do bubblemaker. There is a future divemaster in that child. We are staying at Royal Seaquarium. You didn't do the dolphin dive, Snowballz?