FYI Habitat Curacao

[jd950]

I just read that they have broken ground on an all-new dive shop at Habitat and will convert the current dive shop location to a bar. No idea when this will be finished.

I have never stayed at Habitat, but this is probably good news for fans....no?

 

[Curacao Sunshine]

And possibly neighbors.... Korsu?

 

[muzicgirl]

where did you read this?

 

[Damselfish]

I saw that too, in some email newsletter from some (non-diving) magazine. Probably Carribean Travel & Life but I can't find the original now.

 

[Korsu]

Will post pictures when my truck starts:depressed:

 

[Curacao Sunshine]

Need a bike?
We got lucky, SBers are bringing us a needed car part next week. Thanks J&C! The week after, dog booties. Thanks J&L.

 

[jd950]

where did you read this?

Curacao Tourist Bureau sends me periodic messages. This was in the last one. I don't think I still have it, but I can look for it.

I found the message, here is what it says:

Habitat Curaçao Resort breaks ground on its new dive center. The location of the center will be directly adjacent to the current dive facility, which will be renovated and become a beachfront bar and restaurant after the new facility is opened.

Among the many amenities included in this dive center will be spacious dive equipment storage lockers, classrooms, dive operation offices, a dive retail store, rental equipment area, a tank filling and blending station, rinse tanks, showers and camera tables. This facility is only steps away from either the 24-hour shore diving pier or boat dock, which have both just been renovated. Habitat Curaçao Resort’s dive services are handled by DiveVersity, which operates dive shops in numerous countries worldwide.

 

[Korsu]

Here are some shots from Habitat Curacao. It has been bought by two developers and some work is getting done. I have not been in any of the rooms to see if they have received a much needed make-over. The outside rooms have been painted, the grounds area are about the same. The restaurant has been spruced up as have the prices ~30%.
One meal complaint used to be about getting breakfast in a timely fashion before the dive boat left. I have no idea if this has been addressed.
The dive shop (upstairs) is presently a sparsely stocked office. If you forgot something at home I guess Diversity could get it from one of their other sites. I do not think there is a compressor on site at the moment.
The water level area has new bulkhead back-filled with sand. (Personally I suspect the next TS will take out all the sand but I could be wrong.) No palm trees survived that were planted and most of the native trees were removed. So there is no shade on the beach. The jetty and docks have been repaired.
The old locker rooms have space to hang gear. Rumor was the water level dive shop would be finished in May, it remains a hole in the ground but may soon see activity.

As I have posted before, the saving grace at this moment for the dive shop is the staff. They are a great group working under trying conditions. Things are moving forward, but as always on Caribbean time.

 

[sharchar]

We've got our plane reservations made for 22-31 October and are checking into places to stay. I've pretty much narrowed it down to Habitat because of the central location. We are planning on renting a car and exploring the rest of the island.
Thanks for the pictures. I hope they have more done by now.

Any updates on the dive shop?

Thanks!
Sharon

 

[ronscuba]

Habitat Curacao is one of my favorite places anywhere. The layout of the dive area was fantastic. It was sad to see it gradually deteriorate due to lack of maintenance. Glad to see some money being spent to renovate. It was badly needed.