Hi:
The Bahamas are far enough north for water temp.s to get chilly in winter; All Star Live-aboards has
a FAQ that for average temp.s gives:
Month Water Temperature (F/C) Air Temperature (F/C) Wetsuit Recommendation:
January 72-75 / 22-24 72-80 / 22-27 Full Wetsuit 5mm
That's chilly water, especially if you do a lot of diving. Curacao is one of the ABC islands in the extreme southern Caribbean; water temp.s don't vary much through the year, so it should be warmer.
There are a number of good places to go for new divers; Belize, Roatan, Bonaire, Curacao should be fine, Cozumel can be good if drift diving doesn't put you off, a range of places. You could hit the Bahamas; I'm just saying you've got other options.
From trip reports I get the impression a lot (not all) of Bahamas diving is done via live-aboard; spending the week aboard a large boat/yacht, doing a lot of diving, eating and some sleeping, chatting with fellow divers and...well, what more do you need?
If you're interested in a live-aboard in the Bahamas, Blackbeards is well known as the cheap, 'camping at sea' option; popular but take a close look at what you're getting (and not) for the money. Mid-range would be the Juliet (Blackbeards aims for around 19 dives for the week; if I understand correctly, the Juliet does also?), the Bahamas Aggressor if you buy during one of their big 30%+ off sales (which they've had at least annually the past 4 years I know of - and I would NOT pay list for an Aggressor Fleet trip, the savings are too big to ignore), the Cat Ppalu. More expensive is the often praised AquaCat (aiming for 26 dives), and perhaps the Bahamas Aggressor when doing the Tiger Beach itinerary (be careful you don't book Tiger Beach unless you want to be in the water with big sharks).
So, 2 big questions:
1.) Are you interested in a live-aboard, or planning to stick to land-based?
2.) If a live-aboard, are you willing to look beyond the Bahamas?
T.C.’s Report on Blackbeards May 2014.
Picking a Caribbean Live-aboard.
Bahamas Aggressor Tiger Beach Trip Report 8/4/18.
Note: Plan was for Cayman Aggressor IV boat to become the new Bahamas Aggressor.
Curacao is not a live-aboard destination. It's a large, long island that offers civilized amenities near the capital, Willemstad, along with diving, but others have reported the better diving is out west, where it's much more rustic.
Curacao, like Bonaire, is praised for shore diving. Is shore diving something you want to try?
More questions:
1.) How many dives do you want to do per day, or for your trip?
2.) Is there anything else you want to do?
3.) Are you prone to sea(motion) sickness?
4.) Is anyone else going with you, and what (if any) topside entertainments does he/she need? A wife who wants to shop and lay on the beach can be a game changer.
If it's just you and all you want to do is dive, of the 2, I'd pick Curacao for warm water and good diving, maybe hit a Bahamas live-aboard someday during a warmer water season. Trying to decide between staying/diving to the east or west of Curacao will be its own hassle. Some Curacao links:
Curacao Trip Report Dec 2017 - ERRN’s informative report -
Trip Report Dec 2017
Curacao Trip Report - Jan 2018 (tkaelin’s informative report) -
Curacao Trip Report - Jan '18
Curacao vs. Bonaire -
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/lesser-antilles/473036-curacao-vs-bonaire.html
Bonaire vs Curacao -
http://www.scubaboard.com/community/threads/bonaire-vs-curacao.535918/
Curacao 1st Timer Trip Report -
http://www.scubaboard.com/community/threads/curacao-1st-timer-trip-report.527457/
Curacao Trip Report -
Curacao Trip Report
Curacao Suggestions -
http://www.scubaboard.com/community/threads/curacao-suggestions.536523/
Place to stay in Curacao -
http://www.scubaboard.com/community/threads/place-to-stay-in-curacao.518346/ See Damselfish Post #3.
Curacao Trip with Teenagers in June -
http://www.scubaboard.com/community/threads/curacao-trip-with-teenagers-in-june.525886/
Curacao Lodging -
Curacao Lodging?
Curacao - First Time Opportunity -
Curacao - First Time Opportunity
Curacao Solo Diving with Cert. -
Curaçao solo diving with cert
Did I miss the Better Sites on Curacao? -
Did I miss the better sites on Curacao?
Diving in Curacao -
Curaçao Shorediving - Home
Richard.