Curacao. Need to do boat dives?

[keesmon]

Hi there.
After having done a few visits to Bonaire (love it), we are now considering going to Westpunt, Curacao for a week.
I'm wondering whether I need to get on a boat at all, or if a week of shore diving will get me plenty of good diving.
I guess I'm trying to recreate a Bonaire vacation on Curacao if that is possible.
Of course, if there are things about Curacao diving that make it different/better than Bonaire that would be great to hear.
Flights to Curacao are cheaper for the week that I am planning on going, but if i should do boat dives for a few days, I'd have to add that to the old calculator.
Not so interested in doing any guided dives, we seem to do pretty well by ourselves....
Thanks,
Kees

 

[morecowbells]

The abundance of shore dives is the main reason I enjoy diving in Curacao so much. I would recommend at least booking a dive to Watamula. It is a beautiful site and one of my absolute favorites. I hear Rediho is stunning as well. Check out the Ocean Encounters West website to view their schedule. I would advise that you do it early during the vacation so that it leaves the possibility open for booking additional dives if interested. There are plenty of wonderful shore dives close to Westpunt. Check out this website for maps and descriptions of each site: Scuba Shore Diving Site Listing for: Curacao, ABC Islands

Enjoy our trip!

 

[jdcpa]

Rediho is my favorite dive on that end of the island.

Watamula is a must do if you have not done it.

I agree with morecowbells, do the boat dives early in case you want to do more.

Talk to Bryan at OEW about their schedule. He is the best!!!

 

[diversteve]

What you'll find in some areas of West Curacao that's different (mostly) than Bonaire is steep ironshore cliffs. But they're interspersed with sandy beach cove entries which are very often dive sites.

One other difference is that unlike Bonaire, you drive into just about every site from the main road then back out to the next one. So to do a lot of dives/day you often have to double at a site. We only managed 4 twice all week and both days the sun was setting during the drive back. And there's few street signs outside of Willemsted so get a good road map.

A lot of the sites have on-site operators also. Almost every one I mention below does - most rent tanks/wgts. at a minimum. And charge a small usage fee for their improved facilities.

If you're interested in diving Mushroom Forest and snorkeling Blue Cave, that's a boat dive.

The Lost Anchor dive was the only boat dive we did all week. We wanted to do Watamula but couldn't work it into our schedule. OEWest has their schedule online: http://www.oceanencounterswest.com/di_schedule.php?s=std

Dives I wouldn't miss: Playa Kalki both ways, Nos Kas (Habitat's Reef), Porto Mari, Playa Lagun, Varsenbaai (seahorses and turtles).

Playa Kalki in Westpunt was the best dive we did all week - it's different both directions.

Also Tugboat but it's east of town. The deeper wall around past the point (east) and diving under the pier are the attraction, as well the boat.

Also we were told by our apt. mgr. to lock everything at the more remote sites like Playa Jeremi or the farther "Gnips". I've also read Bonaire rules apply. So IDK. We didn't have any issues all week.

 

[idocsteve]

I stayed in Westpunt, Curacao last month and dove with Ocean Encounters West (boat dives) and I did several shore dives, 19 in total over a one week period.

My full trip report along with a section about why I think boat diving in Curacao beats shore diving is Here

 

[keesmon]

Well, that pretty much answers the questions to a tee. Thanks for the replies guys

 

[Bryan.]

Hi Keesmon!
As Jdcpa mentioned... we have some really awesome dives here on the western part of Curacao!! Our boat dive schedule consists mainly of dives that are not accessible by shore such as Rediho, Mushroom Forest, Paradise and Watmula to name a few!

If you would like more detailed information please feel free to either PM or email me directly! I am always happy to help!

See you soon in Westpunt!!

 

[bkpix]

Have not been to Bonaire, going soon for the first time. Have been to Curacao twice; Westpunt both times. A couple of boat dives would probably be a good idea since some of the best dives can not be reached from shore. Watamula is spectacular! Redhio and Mushroom Forest are also worth your time and dollars. Ocean Encounters West does them, but on different days, so check their schedule.

Shore dives are very good. As mentioned, they are a bit far apart and also involve a drive in from the main road to get to. Another thing to think about is that some of the dives involve a rather long swim out to the reef. Playa Lagun, which was our favorite shore dive this last trip, involves quite a swim out. The up-side to this is that there are frequently turtles and other critters to watch as you head out so don't forget your snorkel and do you swim out face down.

There is a web site that gives good information on the available shore dives. It is ShoreDiving.com - Your Shore Diving and Snorkeling Web Community!, then navigate to the Curacao portion.

I'll have that first hand knowledge soon as to how Curacao and Bonaire compare. I'll post MHO when I am back.

Have fun, dive safe!!