Dive Bus Curcaco-priceless

[CheddarChick]

Hi Tony!!!
We stayed in Curacao for 2 weeks in Feb, We rented a car and had no problems driving the islan of Curacao. The city was Willemstad, and was busy but not that big of a deal. We drove everyday to a different site which are marked with rocks with dive flags painted on them. I loved the freedom, of just getting in your car and going. You could pack a lunch, take extra stuff, leave early. As they drive on the right side of the road (on the island) it is the same as driving in the states. Many of the beaches have dive shops and resturant palapas. Some with showers, and lockers. We loved Curacao, and did 22 dives in 11 days, and explored the island completely. Going back agin in Feb!!

 

[CheddarChick]

This is not meaning to bash the dive bus. Our car rental was $300 for the 2 weeks we were there.

 

[SubMariner]

Moved from Introductions & Greets

 

[Birdy]

Glad you had a great time, just curious where you stayed and how you got around when not diving. I'm going for 2weeks at the end of March and staying at a private residence in Westpunt. I expect I'm going to need a vehicle just to eat etc as there's not much of anything where we are staying. Do you know how far out The Dive-Bus travels to pick up divers or is it pretty much the hotels and resorts in and near Willemstad?---Ted

 

[Curacao Sunshine]

Hi Birdy,
David and I live in Westpunt. Unless you plan on a lot of boat dives with Ocean Encounters, you'll need a vehicle, just do not rent the (extremely small) economy car. There are over a dozen shore dives on the west end. For a fee, most of the dive masters will go with you on a guided shore dive if you feel you need the assistance. There are at least 6 dive shops located on the water; OE in Westpunt, Discover Diving in Lagun as well as shops at Sunset Waters, Cas Abou, Habitat, Daiboii and Porto Marie for air or guided dives. Ocean Encounters, Sunset Waters and Habitat offer boat dives. Stop by the house and say hello; large green building on the left on the way to the Lodge Kura Hulanda with w/Sol Food sign, and we might have time to join you on a dive. We have divers staying in our apartment that week but we, especially David, are always up for a dive or two or three.... plus it's always fun to share experiences. We have a young guest this week who went snorkeling for the first time. He was soooo excited when he put his face in the water at Lagun and discoverd a turtle beside him, now he's keeping a list of sightings; a future diver in the making for sure.
There are a variety of places to eat. The Lodge has 2 (kinda) restaurants, we are open Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Also in Westpunt is: a beach snack at Playa Kalki, Jaanchies, a Chinese snack shack, Playa Forti, and Ranch Sobrino. In Lagun is another Chinese snack, Discover Diving and on Thursday nights Bahia Lagun has a BBQ. You can get food at Cas Abou, Porto Marie and Daiboii. There are restaurants at Sunset Waters and Habitat and a new place on the south road, The Butterfly Garden. On the main road to Westpunt is Landhuis Daniel and on Sunday mornings you can get local food at the market in Barber or at Boca Shete. Actually, I think they have food all week at the entrance. There may be food at Landhuis Marta and on the 1st Sunday of the month Landhuis Ascension is open for tours and crafts and they have light food and drinks available. I'm sure I'm missing some places and someone will add to the list.
I'm glad to see you are stayin "out west". It is a diver's paradise here (not to slight the east side dive sites) and yet just a 40 minute drive to Willemstad and even more dive sites. Let me know if you'd like more information on Westpunt.
Sunshine
curacaosunshine@gmail.com

 

[diversteve]

Glad you had a great time, just curious where you stayed and how you got around when not diving. I'm going for 2weeks at the end of March and staying at a private residence in Westpunt. I expect I'm going to need a vehicle just to eat etc as there's not much of anything where we are staying. Do you know how far out The Dive-Bus travels to pick up divers or is it pretty much the hotels and resorts in and near Willemstad?---Ted

You will need a car, it's pretty spread out. Just what CS described is at least 10-20 mins. driving around east of West Punt.

I recommend stopping in town for food before you drive out. Centrum Market is just a couple miles south of the rotary that you'll come to out of the airport. Go straight through the rotary - i.e. don't follow the signs to the right to West Punt and it'll be about 2 miles down on your right.

They sell cheap coolers to keep your stuff cool. The drive out to West Punt is longer than it looks on the map, roads aren't great in some areas and twisty in others. To get there faster, take the mid-island road straight out to West Punt.

I don't think the DiveBus picks up in West Punt. As they're located in Pierbaai which is sort of East Willemsted. So probably an hour r/t for them. But PM Suzi at the Dive Bus, she was on yesterday:
ScubaBoard - View Profile: thedivebus

Later Edit: It looks like the farthest West that the DiveBus picks up is Piscadera Bay. Which is "West" Willemsted. The Dive Bus - Pick up + drop off service

 

[DandyDon]

Glad you had a great time, just curious where you stayed and how you got around when not diving. I'm going for 2weeks at the end of March and staying at a private residence in Westpunt. I expect I'm going to need a vehicle just to eat etc as there's not much of anything where we are staying. Do you know how far out The Dive-Bus travels to pick up divers or is it pretty much the hotels and resorts in and near Willemstad?---Ted

The thread poster was "Last Online At: September 15th, 2006" - maybe just joined to post this. But maybe some of the others can help you here...

 

[hiway18]

My wife and I also spent a week in Curacao and made 6 dives with the folks from Dive Bus and some with Chedderchick too. The diving was great and Mark and Suzy made them even better.

We were picked up from our hotel at the promised times every day (no island time with these folks) and taken to some fantastic dive sites. We made 2 relaxed shore dives and then were served a picnic lunch. We met some great fellow divers on the Bus and can't wait to go back again.

We stayed 5 days and the Marriott and 2 Days at the Hilton and between taxis and the Dive Bus we never needed a car.

 

[Birdy]

Hi Sunshine....I'm probably one of the divers that is staying with you that you mentioned...I'm staying with Larry (alashast) Looking forward to getting down your way!!---Ted

 

[Curacao Sunshine]

Great, Ted
It looks like between Larry and David you'll be spending most of your time under water, just surfacing to eat. You are going to have a great vacation. I'll see you in a little over a month. Sunshine