Does it matter if you go in January or June in Curacao?

[Carnell04]

What are the differences in water temp (shorty or 3mm?), air temp, wind, currents, rain, etc. How different is the diving? I try to go to different places so I try to avoid the worst time of year for places? I would think there isnt much difference due to the location of the ABC islands but ready there is more wind and rain in Jan than June. How big a deal is this?

 

[Diver OnLu]

Hi Carnell04,

If I had a choice I would prefer to go in June - the water temperatures might not be that much higher (but for sure a little bit, ranging around 27-28°C in June vs. 25-26°C in January; but I've seen people diving on Curacao in 3mm, shorties or even simple swimwear all year around, even though that makes me shiver ). On the other hand, in June it will be highly unlikely that you experience significant winds or rainfalls, while in January there is a chance for both. Be prepared to feel hotter while not in the water in June than in January.

Sealifewise there are no general seasonal differences around Curacao. Any highlights like whale sharks (maybe once a year), mantas (quite a few last year, personally I have seen 3) or hammerheads (3 sightings in 3 years that I know about) may be spotted (or not) at any time of the year. Dolphins seem to be seen more in spring / early summer. Only a "selected few" meet them while diving without paying for the dolphin dive organized by the sea aquarium and Ocean Encounters dive shop (a nice experience, btw, if you are willing to afford it). The typical reef fish are always there; look out for seahorses, frogfish, and pipefish - those are hardest to find.

Plan for some nice activities on shore as well, there is much more to do than you might think. Sunshine here on the board is a never failing source for this kind of information!

Greetings from Germany
Andreas

 

[gustele]

Andreas said it correctly. The only difference is the water temperature (althoug only a few degrees difference it certainly feels better in June) and January is in the middle of the rain season. That doesn't mean that it will rain continuously but the chances of getting wet while above water is definitely higher than in June

 

[Carnell04]

Thanks, guys. Well, it looks like we need to go this winter. How bad are the tradewinds in Jan and Feb? Would Dec be better? Is it still relatively calm waters n Jan or Feb or is it the luck of the draw meaning we might come and it be very bad diving conditions? Thanks.

 

[morecowbells]

I have been to Curacao in August once and Jan. twice. On every trip we encountered some rain but never enough to lose any days worth of diving. While I love Cozumel and Roatan, I always lose a good day or two of diving due to 'norte's moving through. Just this Jan. my dive computer showed Roatan water temps down to 72 degrees. May not be a big deal to some, but I am a wuss when it comes to cold water temps. When looking at winter time dive trips, Curacao is one of your safer bets due to it's far south location.

 

[jd950]

I don't think there is much difference in wind between January and December. I would choose dates based on airfare or other considerations. Most diving is on the leeward side anyway. Also, the wind is the primary comfort factor. The wind keeps it feeling cooler. I have been several times and don't recall ever losing a day to wind or rain, but I would not let a little rain keep me from diving.

If you will do a lot of boat diving, wind might make more of a difference, but overall I would not give any more thought to weather.

 

[Carnell04]

It looks like we are going in Jan or Feb. We will be doing a lot of boat diving (at least in the a.m.) but if the wind is too much, we will go shore diving I am sure. Now researching the dive ops and places to stay. haha

We have 3 people. All men so we all need our own beds. Price isnt really a concern. We could get a 2 bedroom suite and a 1 bedroom room in the same place if it called for that. Any ideas?

 

[Curacao Sunshine]

We're partial to Westpunt......
Andreas or Bryan can give you info on the All West Apartments. I know they have 2 bedroom apartments but can certainly sleep 3. They have tanks available 24/7 and are affiliated with Ocean Encounters WEST.
Marazul Condos have 3 bedroom units but do not have an on site dive op.
We have a 3 bedroom apartment at Sunshine Getaway.
There are apartments at Nos Kuseros across from OEW. They have 2 bedroom units but most likely can sleep 3.
The Lodge Kura Hulanda is high end and located right next to OEW.
There are others but this will give you a start.

There are villas at Coral Estates in St. Wilibrordus. As of now Habitat Hotel and the dive shop is closed. Who knows next year?

There are quite a few condos in Lagun at Lagun Blou and Lagun Ocean and apartments at Bahia Inn and the Dolphin Heart House.
The dive ops in Lagun are Discover Diving and Bahia Inn Diving.

If you stay in/around Willemstad, Mark and Suzy at the Dive Bus now have 3 studios... and cold Polars.....

That'll give you a start.

 

[Diver OnLu]

I definitely share Sunshine's opinion on where to stay:

If you plan to combine boat diving and shore diving, you should contact All West Apartments / Ocean Encounters West (..:: All West Apartments & Diving, Curacao, Netherlands Antilles ::.., ..:: Ocean Encounters West Curacao ::..). With All West you can book all kind of packages including acommodation, rental car, boat diving, and shore diving. For shore diving, AW have their own dive room, where you can rinse and store your gear, and get full air tanks 24/7. You have direct access to a marvelous house reef via a set of stairs, and, through the other door of the room, to the parking lot; that makes it highly convenient to pack your things and drive to other dive sites. Daily boat dives with OEW start from Playa Kalki, 3 minutes by car from AW. You can also rinse and leave your gear there, if you don't plan on shore diving in between boat dives.

At AW you cook for yourselves or go dining at several charming restaurants in the neighbourhood (like Sunshine's Sol Food Curacao Sunshine - Rental Property on the Island of Curacao - ask her if she can open more than 3 days aweek ; Landhuis Misje www.landhuismisje.com; Jaanchie's; Watamula restaurant at the Kura Hulanda Lodge hotel).

Have fun planning your trip!

Greetings from Germany
Andreas

 

[diversteve]

and places to stay

We stayed at Piscadera Bay Resort. They're 2BR 1-2 bath duplex bungalows with full kitchens in PBay a few miles south of the airport. The Marriott and Hilton are across the street, both have casinos, and there's a couple nearby restaurants. Pirate Bay, a beachfront bar with music some nights is walking distance. The unit I rented (type B) had twins in the 2nd bedroom, sort of a smaller living room but big dining table and another table out on the deck - which had an ocean view as they're slightly up hill from the water. As is somewhat common A/C only in the bedrooms. A few of them had pools also but IIRC it doubled the rate. About $125/nt. + add-on for electricity and cleaning at the end.

It's a convenient location - about 15mins. west to diving around the Habitat/Varsenbaai area or about 10-15mins. to downtown - 20mins. to the Seaquarium area, the Divebus etc. Centrum Market is about a mile north.

Piscadera Bay Resort