Questions re: Curacao

[sytech]

Having recently been to Bonaire I would like to visit Curacao on my next trip.

I am considering the "Habitat Curacao" resort because it's reasonably priced and of great importance to me, has dive lockers on their own pier-just like the Divi Flamingo Hotel in Bonaire.

Would like to get feedback on Curacao and the hotel too if possible.

Thanks in advance,

Sy

 

[tridacna]

Habitat is too remote. It's just too far out of town. The Dive Op at the Marriott has lockers, a great boat and a very friendly operation. Also much better located.

 

[ronbeau]

Having recently been to Bonaire I would like to visit Curacao on my next trip.

I am considering the "Habitat Curacao" resort because it's reasonably priced and of great importance to me, has dive lockers on their own pier-just like the Divi Flamingo Hotel in Bonaire.

Would like to get feedback on Curacao and the hotel too if possible.

Thanks in advance,

Sy

Breezes Curacao is relatively inexpensive, has lockers right on the dock and is centrally located. There is an on-site dive sjop run by Ocean Encounters and Ocean Encounters boat dives leave right from the Brezzes Curacao on-site dock.

I was happy with the Ocean Encounters service. Some other peole on ScubaBOard were not quite as happy with Ocean Encounters.

My family has stayed there twice. One shore dive per day is included free with your stay but must be at Oswaldo's drop-off which is the Breezes Curacao house reef.

The food was good and the rooms were quite roomy (at least in the 'tower" building where we stayed).

We were quite happy with Breezes Curacao. If however, you are looking for a 5 star hotel/AI Breezes Curacao is not it.

I have talked to people who stayed at Sandals and Breezes Curacao and they indicated that Breezes was a step down from sandals (but so is the price).

Breezes has a twice-daily free shuttle into Wilemnstad.

While staying at Breezes Curacao we also used the services of the Dive Bus. They were very good.

We also rented a car and dove the Mushroom Forest with Sunset Divers. They sere very good. They are the dive operator for Sunset Waters resort. Sunset Waters is at the far end of the island and a very long drive from Wilemstad.

 

[smokey braden]

sytech,
sunset waters is not at the far end of the island.
it is about a 20 min drive to wilemstad.
they have a shuttle too.

here is a list of places to stay.
Google Image Result for http://www.curacao-travelguide.com/map/photos/curacao-map-large.gif
click on hotels/resorts

 

[Damselfish]

"Better located" is a matter of priorities. Habitat (and Sunset) are more remote than places near town, but "remote" in Curacao gets you better diving and a different atmosphere. People often see only parts of Curacao near town then complain about how urban and busy Curacao - well the solution to that is to go to other parts of the island.

We drive to town for dinner from Habitat often and don't find the drive that long. It's really only like a half hour at most. It seems longer at first when you're unfamiliar with the roads and area - dodging potholes and goats in the dark - but you quickly get used to it.

If you want good and convienient diving on Curacao with the lockers and all, I think Habitat is the best all around compromise as far as location and everything. (I say compromise, because the restaurant there isn't that good and the hotel is definitely showing it's age. But the dive op rocks.) If I was going to stay near town it would probably be the Marriott (again, for a good compromise on everything.) Many people like Sunset Waters, sort of in the same category as Habitat with it's pros and cons.

Kura Hulanda Lodge is beautiful with good food and service, and the house reef is great, but it is far enough from town (it is at the far end of the island) that we mostly stay out there. The diving is not quite as convienient as far as lockers and stuff like that, and I've had some issues with the dive op there OE West. So I have mixed feelings about the place.

 

[ronscuba]

I agree 100% with Damselfish.

 

[tvictory]

I also agree with Damselfish. For absolute ease of shore diving, I'd take Habitiat. Overall, I prefer Sunset Waters. It's all-inclusive at Sunset Waters (including booze) and you don't really need to get a rental car if all you want to do is dive.

 

[xXxDivingDeetjexXx]

I'd recommend the Habitat Hotel,because of it's expertise when it comes to diving.
I also made a lot of diving friends,who have the same passion as me.
Curacao has over 60 dive sites,so there's enough for you to choose from!
You should check out their site.

xXxDeetje~!*&

 

[smokey braden]

xxxdivingdeetexxx,
welcome to this board.

 

[xXxDivingDeetjexXx]

Tnx!