Opinions on Curacao Marriott's Dive Shop

[Kate_W]

My husband and I will be staying at the Marriott in early November for a week and plan to dive for 4-5 days. We prefer boat dives to shore dives and like diving with a divemaster. We're somewhat rusty advanced novices - about 40 and 50 dives each, respectively. The easiest arrangement probably would be to book dives with the Marriott's dive op, but I'd like to hear about others' experiences with this op: safety, quality of rental equipment, size of the group diving and service are most important to us (probably in that order).

Alternatively, would it make sense to split our dives between two different operations that offer boat dives and if so, who should the second choice be? We may decide to rent a car for a couple of days, but it would be helpul if the 2nd op did pick-ups at the hotel.

I've read the great reviews of the Dive Bus but I'm don't think we're into shore diving on this trip.

Thanks in advance for the advice.

 

[carib_traveler]

I did my OW at Caribbean Sea Sports (the dive operator at the Marriott). I was very impressed with their focus on safety. Everything they do is based on that.
The rental equipment was good (not of last week but good quality and well maintained).
When I was there the boat dives were 8 people max so the group size was good, but I heard other reports that group size was sometimes too big. I guess that's a subjective thing.
The service and atmosphere were very good. My buddy and I really felt like part of the family for the week we were there.

I would definitely recommend them to anyone (like I just did )

 

[Kate_W]

Thanks, we'll give the shop a try - at least for the first few days (and then maybe try another shop to explore another area of the island).

 

[Kate_W]

carib-traveler:

I forgot to ask, did your dive shop charges counted as $ spent for purposes of Marriott Rewards (i.e. did you earn Rewards points)? Thanks

 

[Bryan.]

Hi Kate,
Please come next door to Ocean Encounters!

We have an excellent fleet of boats, knowledgeable divemasters and an operation that focuses on safety and fun. Not to mention competitive prices for diving and rental equipment.

For more information, please contact myself or Jeremiah (our Ocean Encounters Hilton manager)

Stop by and see us!! We would love to take you diving!!

Check us out at: Curacao Padi Scuba Diving - Ocean Encounters Curacao

Hope to see you soon!!

Bryan

 

[mikerault]

We had a DM from there (a young lady) and she seemed oblivious when my wife (a new diver) almost had an uncontrolled ascent (read, I hadn't caught her and dumped air from her BC she would have) that was the only shore dive we did with them. We used Dive Bus for everything else.

Mike

 

[RJP]

Had a good experience with them when I was at the Marriott in March. Did a couple shore dives with them right at the house reef, as well as a night dive. They have a boat there too. They also have a location at one of the beaches up north (forget which) from which you can dive Mushroom Forest and several other sites up there from a zodiac they launch from the beach.

If staying at the Marriott you can also use their dive lockers to store your gear instead of cluttering up your room. Pretty sure this is the case whether you're diving with them or not.

Super convenient to be sitting there on the beach under an umbrella and say to your wife "Hey honey, I'm gonna go do a quick dive. Want me to grab you a pina colada on the way back?"

:cool2:

 

[irie1029]

I was certified by CSS and enjoyed everyone there. Yup got points for the money spent.