Curacao is a great island for divers and non divers alike. It is one of my favorite places in the world. Since you are traveling with a large group, you may find Breezes or Lions Den good reasonable places to stay. Both are in the main town, but you will need a car to get out and about on the island, so you could really stay anywhere. The island is not that big. We always stay out on the westend at Allwest Apts/dive center in Westpunt. Small place, really laided back and cheap. Need to cook your own meals or go into town for meals, there are a couple of restrurants out on the westend but they close early. It takes about 45 minutes to get to town. Since we stay for 3 weeks, we don't mind cooking and night diving most nights. We go out 2 or 3 times a week for dinner. Capt Don's Habitat and Sunset Waters are both very nice and only about 25 minutes from town. I have done many dives on Curacao, mostly shoredives on the west end, I don't recall seeing any garbage underwater. Saw plently of trash along smaller roads, main roads are pretty clean and good to travel on. Get off the beaten path and you will find trash. Since I have not done any dives near the main town or east of there, I may just be unaware of this problem. Lots of things to do on the island for non divers, great snorkeling, great museums, markets, stores, beaches, gambling, golfing, caves, and don't miss the sea aquarium and ostrich farm. Hope you have a great trip where ever you end up going.