Type of Booties needed in Curacao

[sytech]

Was wondering if it's necessary to wear thick booties for shore entries in Curacao or can I get by with a thinner pair (like 2 or 3 mm)?

I will be staying at Habitat Curacao from Nov 1-10. If you will be staying there and would like a partner for a night dive or shore diving ask the front desk to contact me.

The name is "Sy Gelbard"

Thanks

 

[carib_traveler]

I never use them, but they can come in handy (most beaches have at least some coral debris).
The thinner pair would definitely be enough.

 

[diversteve]

The 3mil sb fine. I bought these Tusa 3mil's for Curacao after slipping/sliding in Bonaire but I didn't need them.

There's no ironshore immediately offshore - at least where we dove - like on Bonaire so all you need is something to get through the surge/coral rubble. Most West End shoredive sites are on resort property or have a diveop onsite so there's a often a dock.

Here's what to expect at sites near Habitat:

West End
Porto Mari - beach/diveop
Playa Kalki - dive dock/diveop
Varsenbaai - dive dock or beach/diveop - Suzi from the Divebus recommends not getting air there. I think it's a cleanliness issue...
Playa Lagun - beach/nearby diveop (200 yds. away)
Playa Jeremi - rocky beach/no facilities
Sunset Waters - beach/diveop

Sites in Willemsted were similar:
Hooks Hut - beach/dock/diveop
Dive Bus - beach/diveop - not sure if they had a dock.
Lions Dive - beach/diveop
Tugboat - beach/diveop

I may've already mentioned this but you're expected to pay a usage fee or even rent tanks from the sites with a diveop onsite.

 

[CheddarChick]

Pier Baai, Yup dock but a big giant stride off it!!! We just waded in there, it has a nice little beach

 

[JimHar99]

Hi Sy. I dove Habitat Curacao a couple of years ago.
We did two boat dives a day and many, many dives off the house reef. You won't need thick booties. For the house reef you just walk out on the dock and take a giant stride. We were there in November and we had some great night dives.

Have a great time.
Jim

 

[fisheyeview]

Habitat has added stairs to the end of the dock, so all you have to is walk down the steps into the water.

 

[ronbeau]

Was wondering if it's necessary to wear thick booties for shore entries in Curacao or can I get by with a thinner pair (like 2 or 3 mm)?

I will be staying at Habitat Curacao from Nov 1-10. If you will be staying there and would like a partner for a night dive or shore diving ask the front desk to contact me.

The name is "Sy Gelbard"

Thanks

In Curacao the key is a hard sole versus the thickness of the neoprene.

My wife daughter and I wore Seasoft Sunrays in Curacao and were glad we did. In addition to the hard sole the Seasoft booties also provide excellent arch support.

You will appreicate the hard soles when you encounter coral debris and rocks when doing shore dives.

 

[ScubaMarc]

converse sneakers.