Habitat Closing?

[DeepFlyer]

My wife and I are going to be staying at a villa near there (Enchantment villa curacao) this June for our honeymoon. I wonder how Habitat's closure will affect our trip. I guess we won't be using their dive shop or eating at their restaurants. We will stay tuned to hear the latest developments.

 

[DeepFlyer]

My wife and I will be staying at a villa near Habitat (Enchantment villa curacao) on our honeymoon. I guess we won't be diving with them or eating at the restaurants. I'll stay tuned for updates on the situation. Hopefully something positive will come of it but I'm guessing it won't be before our honeymoon.

 

[pgarch6]

We stayed at the Habitat a couple of years ago and thought the property was on the decline. Not many guests or divers at the time. Sorry to hear that people have lost their jobs. But are divers allowed to get past the security gate to access the house reef?

 

[Korsu]

No word on diving at Nos Kas the house reef, yet. I have had differing reports about the dive shop. I think the newly placed dock has been damaged. Also there is now a fair amount of bleaching and damage to the once beautiful reef. Mostly 30 ft or less.
The reef took a hit with Omar in 08, then the developer decided to bulkhead the shoreline and back-fill in a beach which again silted the reef. The storms of the past few months have washed out part of the "beach" and the reef has taken yet another hit from the silt run off.
I too am sad about the people at Habitat and the restaurant loosing their jobs. Many were good friends and I hope they find work on the island.
Again none of this is to surprising given the track record of the developer and management.

 

[Karel]

Last update (from Home - Curacao duik magazine)

In this stage it is unknown if the diving school will be open or closed. They (the diving school)is talking with the owners about the future.

 

[CuracaoJ]

If I get a chance I'll drive out there today and ask the guard shack if they will allow day passes for scuba divers. I know in Westpundt they have that fisherman's law that says you can't completely restrict access to the ocean. I don't know if that would apply all the way down to Habitat or not...

 

[Karel]

I am not sure about the daypass. There was a "no tank" ploicy at habitat. This might be postponed as well.
We dive there on a regular base but we have friends at Coral estate so we go in via their backyard.
We just tell the guard we go diving (which is obvious with a truck full of gear).
I am curious if they let you through (the should, i think).

 

[CuracaoJ]

Well, I drove up to the guard shack over lunch. Speaking only in English so he would think I was a tourist. I was dressed in my work clothes, so I asked him if it was okay to come tomorrow. He told me that it was fine to head down and dive anytime. So, I would say for the time being that if anyone wants to hit the house reef, they are more than welcome.

 

[ronscuba]

I have very very good memories of my dive vacations at Habitat. The house reef, dive area layout, pool, restaurant overlook, it was one of my favorite places. Those who have stayed there when things were in good shape know what I'm talking about.

 

[Korsu]

Well, I drove up to the guard shack over lunch. Speaking only in English so he would think I was a tourist. I was dressed in my work clothes, so I asked him if it was okay to come tomorrow. He told me that it was fine to head down and dive anytime. So, I would say for the time being that if anyone wants to hit the house reef, they are more than welcome.

Over the past summer there were several house break-ins at Coral Estates so the security is a little more sensitive. Access may depend on who is at the gate and the time of day. Obviously if the dive shop stays open then it shouldn't be a problem.