Klein Curacao and Eric's ATV Adventures?

[jd950]

As I am planning our next trip to Curacao I am wondering if we should plan on going to Klein Curacao to dive.

My "instincts" and some older posts I have seen here lead to suspect it isn't worth the time and money and that we should stick to the shore dives we enjoy so much and maybe a couple boat dives on the West side of the island with OE West.

Also wondering if anyone has tried the ATV tours with Eric's ATV Adventures.


Thank you.

 

[UnderwaterBumbleBee]

Didn't you just go to Curacao???! Not fair! We have not gone to Klein Curacao because the cost is a little pricey. Someone else on another thread I posted on said they went to Klein and it was nice, maybe less viz, nice BBQ lunch on the beach.

Sunshine set up a trip for us and another couple to do Eric's ATV's and it was SO WORTH IT! We did the one that leaves from the Lions Dive area. It was about 3 hours long, you'll ATV on-road a little but almost all is off road. A little through some nicer areas and some poorer areas, they take you up a hill with 360 degree views, to the ostrich farm (just a pit stop for a drink and a quick walk) and the Aloe Vera farm, off-road through the scrub brush where you'll pit stop and hike up through bat caves to overlook the ocean, past the wind turbines (incredible spot right next to the sea) and more! I would do this again on our next trip! Try not to run into a prickly tree like one guy in our group did, I was tempted to get my camera out.

 

[Crowley]

I spent Christmas Day 2008 on one of Eric's ATVs - brilliant!! (I used to work on Curacao at the Dive Bus) - the north coast is wild and magnificent and, if you catch it at the right time, full of mud, glorious mud!

Cheers,

C.

 

[Curacao Sunshine]

Eric's is a must do for the D family next trip! We haven't gone to Keine Curacao and have heard mixed reviews; the thumbs down belonging to divers. Great news about you being able to dive!

 

[bkpix]

The ATV tour looks like fun, I did not see anything on their website about how much it costs. Anybody have that info?

 

[Damselfish]

I was told by someone who used to live on Curacao that there is great diving to be had around Klein, but that you don't get to the best of it via the usual daytrip that runs out there.

 

[UnderwaterBumbleBee]

I think it was about $90 per person when we did it in Nov. That was for around 3 hours with two guides who take your photo throughout the trip. They even delivered a CD with the photos to our hotel for no additional charge. Eric was really nice and the guides were great!

Thankfully it had rained a few days before and it was a little dusty but not too muddy! We had a fine grain of dirt all over us afterward. I took a camera but packed it really well and brought towels along to pack around it so it didn't bounce around the storage compartment. They stop several times for drinks so you stay hydrated (don't forget your sunscreen too).

There was one guy that came along with our group of 4 and he really wanted to get in front of the girls after about 45 minutes. There's one particular section where you have to be careful not to go too fast or you could graze or run into one of those thorny bush/trees. I come around a corner and he had run right into one of these trees and is sitting totally still waiting for the guides to help get him out. It wasn't too bad (good thing he had a helmet on) but he did have a little blood trailing down his arm. All I will say is I'm a girl and I didn't crash mine.... Vroom, Vroom

 

[jd950]

I think I will scratch Klein off the list then. The ATV ride looks appealing, though and I will have to give this more thought. We all know how to ride the things already, although we usually worry more about sliding off of a mountain than running into cacti.

Yes, Ms. Bee, we were there not long ago, but on the other hand we didn't just get back from Cozumel, so no pouting!

So, here's another question, with a disclaimer. First the disclaimer. I am usually quite happy puttering along the reef, taking pictures and being mellow. I am generally in no hurry to get anywhere on a dive.

Now the question...has anyone ever rented a DPV, aka scooter, on Curacao? Are they available? I find myself thinking it would be fun to give one of these a try once. Maybe a fast cruise from OEW to AllWest just once?

 

[Curacao Sunshine]

Gustele has. If he doesn't jump in, PM him.

 

[UnderwaterBumbleBee]

Yes, Ms. Bee, we were there not long ago, but on the other hand we didn't just get back from Cozumel, so no pouting!

I know but it already feels like it was a million years ago. :depressed: Did you see the promotion the tourism board is starting up again? Money off airfare and more...My hubby made the mistake of asking me if I wanted to go to Curacao again after he saw it!

I wouldn't worry about the cactus thing, there's really only one small part where I was a little more cautious. Other than Curacao I had only been on an ATV once maybe 17 years ago, if you have more experience you would be fine. Most of the trip had pretty wide "roads" to drive on.

I've never seen anyone with a scooter on any of our dives in Curacao, can't say I've seen it advertised for rent really. We rented them once or twice in Grand Cayman and they were a blast! We used them on shore dives, a much faster way to reach the wall than swimming out. Pretty fun under water, just be aware of your depth with rapid ascent/descent.

We also did a two tank trip (ask Sunshine) on a zodiak on the east point of the island. Not for everyone, a lot rougher seas to get out there and you have to hold on pretty tight but we saw a manta ray and a bunch of incredible stuff on that dive. It was pretty good diving and you see different things from the west side.