Curacao vs Bonaire

[Pembina]

Was thinking about another trip to Bonaire but just found some great pricing on a flight to Curacao.

Is Curacao similar to Bonaire in diving?? Is it mainly shore or boat diving??

Any suggestions on where to stay that is reasonable?? Don't need anything fancy (just a bed and a shower). Not interested in night life (except underwater). Would like something with an oceanview and a dive operation with convenience and Nitrox. Don't need gear except weights & tanks.

Price is #1 consideration.

 

[rongoodman]

I was on Curacao 18 months ago and stayed at The Habitat. They have a nice house reef, but it was mostly boat diving. I remember the price as being similar to the recent trip to Bonaire, but the shop organized the both trips, so I don't know how meaningful that is. Right now, I'd return to Bonaire before a trip back to Curacao--the shore diving is dead easy, and if you like boats, it's a good excuse for some trips over to Klein Bonaire.

 

[DeputyDan]

Have you checked the price to fly from Curacao to Bonaire.

We used Divi Divi last year and it was $86 round trip each

 

[bkpix]

We just booked our second trip to Curacao. Were there last year and had a great time. Did lots of boat dives that trip with a few shore dives added in. This time we are going to do a lot more shore dives, going out on boat dives the days they do some of the best dives; Watamula, Mushroom Forest, etc.

We are staying at the same place as last trip; All West Apartments on the west side of the island. They offer good prices on packages that include room, truck and diving. They are right on the ocean with great views and shore diving right in front of the apartments 24/7.

Westpunt has very little in the way of night life, except the diving of course! We too don't much go in for much clubbing, etc., but sure love a good night dive, so All West is perfect for us and sounds like it might be a good fit for you as well.

Try looking up allwestcuracao.com or oceanencounterswest.com, they both link to each other

Safe diving!! BK

 

[Curacao Sunshine]

I second the recommendation of All West Apartments at a great price. If they are full, PM me and I'll send you info on some privately owned studios in Westpunt. We have a 3 bedroom apartment and often have just one couple staying with us but it might not be in your budget as a solo traveler. We do have notes on the West end of the island on our web site.
Curacao Sunshine - Rental Property on the Island of Curacao

 

[Diver OnLu]

Hi Pembina,

Let me quickly add some information to what bkpix said regarding All West Apartments and Ocean Encounters West:

We offer Nitrox, even as part of an unlimited shore dive package if you want. Nitrox tanks need to be analyzed and picked up at OEW, which is 3 minutes by car from All West Apartments.

There is many fabulous shore diving options on our end of the island. Is it better than on Bonaire or not? There are both opinions on the market, of course. Many divers say our shore entries are easier than on Bonaire. Quite a few are located at beautiful beaches that invite to spend the whole day. Just yesterday a couple of divers told me that it was their first trip to Curacao after more than 5 times on Bonaire. And guess what - they are planning to come back to Curacao next time again. On average I would say that underwater landscapes and fishlife are similar on both islands.

We offer full packages including apartment, diving, and rental car.

More information on Curacao and All West Apartments you find on our homepage. We recently also added a video you can watch on YouTube: ..:: All West Curacao ::... There is also a Live Brochure available on http://www.sportdiver.com/article/Full-Page/All-West-Livebrochure.

If you want to learn more, just send me a pm, and I will be glad to help you!

Greetings from Curacao

Andreas
..:: All West Curacao ::..
..:: Ocean Encounters West ::..

 

[dvrliz1]

Pem...

Hi ! I have to agree with Deputy Dan. You can get back and forth between Curacao and Bonaire fairly inexpensively. Also, Bonaire has over 89 shore dive sites (Marked and unmarked), with a majority of them very easy entries. I mean, you could dive literally dive 2-3 dives a day for 3-4 weeks and never dive the same site twice.

You have the options of Dutch Antilles Express, Insel Air, Divi Divi Air and Easy Air to choose from.

Please feel free to ask if there are any questions I can answer for you.

Liz

 

[muzicgirl]

We payed $100 a person round trip on DAE - Dutch Antilles Express from curacao to bonaire and back. Just be careful - only 1 checked piece of luggage per person. We had to pay about 30 bucks each way for overweight luggage - HA we thought we packed light!

 

[chauncy19]

Give a report when you get back! We're planning on going to Curacao on our next dive trip after 8 times to Bonaire. Dictated by American Airlines but its good to hear all the positives about it. Although one could take a puddle jumper to Bonaire it seems too much of a hassle to me if Curacao
is just as good if not better to some. Atleast for me there is lots of added logistics to a flight over to Bonaire. It not just the cost of the flight.
Don't get me wrong I love bonaire and if i could still get there with AA I would be there. But I have alot of FF miles and I am going to use them!

We will be going to Westpunt when we go. It certainly seems from every description I've read to be perfect for us.
So please go and let us know what you think

 

[TheDiveBus]

Curacao is fun and great diving - not better than Bonaire, just different.

Chauncy: Have a great time and if you need any tips on shore diving in Curacao and the best shore diving sites, swing by and say 'hi' - and plan on diving Car Pile and Pierbaai Reef. You won't be disappointed...

All best!
Suzy
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