CHATA PADI National Geographic Diver
Ocean Encounters Curacao

Make one stop and dive all of Curacao


 

Diving in Curaçao

see also our Special trips

 
 

Snake Bay
If you want to be in the middle of a fish traffic jam, this is the dive site for you. Huge Jacks chasing bait balls, chromies, creole wrasses, southern rays, turtles, and so much more. Wild dolphins have been sighted at this dive as well. Gorgonians and hard corals abundantly cover this gentle slope. Look hard into the blue and you will be rewarded with even more fish. An amazing colorful dive site.

 
Snake Bay

Blue Bay Gardens
This is indeed an underwater garden. Starting at a sandy plateau with lots of silvery fish, box crabs, octopus, and baby clusters of brain and star corals, you will go down the slope and be regaled with gorgonians and hard corals. Large Brain and Star corals in pristine condition serve as homes to small and not so small fish and critters. Reef fish schools swim by you or spend time at cleaning stations, truly living the fish life.
A great photo opportunity dive. Southern Rays and even Eagle Rays are regular visitors to this fabulous dive site.

 
Blue Bay Garden

The Superior Producer
Sport Diver Magazine rates the Superior Producer as one of the Caribbean's best wreck dives. This cargo freighter sunk in December of 1977 and is now sitting upright at a depth of 100ft/30m. Beautifully covered in colorful corals and sponges and surrounded by watchful great barracudas. It is an advanced dive that you will want to return to over and over again. One of Curaçao's best.

 
The Superioir Producer
 

The Tugboat
This famous tugboat wrecked just a few yards offshore in a protected bay. It is overgrown with tube sponges and brain coral. Go around the corner to the east and you will find a beautiful wall that provides shelter for thousands of Creole Wrasse. The Tugboat is a perfect site for divers and snorkelers as well. Look for the large blue Parrot Fish, and Yellow Tail Snappers guarding the dive site.

 
The Tugboat

Director's Bay
This site is perfectly suited for divers and snorkelers as well. Its landmark is the old decaying shark fence, dating back to old times when people were scared of sharks.
All this rubble is home to most amazing creatures, sea horses and frogfish, among others. A large octopus calls it his home as well but you will only see his huge eyes, peeking at you, making it a great macro opportunity.
Around the corner to the east, the healthy reef is teaming with sea life. Look into the blue to see jacks chasing lunch and Creole Wrasses racing towards their daily afternoon mating meetings.

 
Director's Bay

Cornelius Bay
A short boat ride from our dive center, this site is a beautiful wall covered in healthy gorgonians and star coral. Cornelius Bay is one of our newer sites with new discoveries every time we dive it.

 
Cornelius Bay

Sandy's Plateau
A Divemaster favorite. This dive site it covered with soft corals, hard corals and everything in between. An excellent site to spot lobsters under the overhangs and crabs hiding in the large barrel sponges. Great site for an easy safety stop while you still enjoy the beautiful reef.

 


The Lost Anchor
A beautiful lush wall with a variety of fish and corals. The name comes from an anchor chain that seems to go forever and have an anchor at the end. The chain is already covered up in corals and the anchor has never been found. This dive is a treat for your eyes, as it finishes on a beautiful plateau where sea horses like to hang out and all kind of little critters, including squid will give you a chance for great photography.

 
The Lost Anchor

Newport
This is the last mooring buoy to the east side of the island and only accessed by Ocean Encounters. This beautiful slope with great star coral, brain coral, and soft gorgonians is a must. Eagle rays and turtles are spotted at this site frequently. Get ready to be amazed by the beauty and great visibility.

 
Cowfish at Newport

Jan Thiel
Starting at a sandy plateau going down on a sloping reef with mixture of nooks, crannies, a bit of wall, and just enough to make you want more. But the best treat at the end of the dive will be the curious school of squid looking directly into your eyes. A wonderful diving experience and another great photo opportunity.

 
Jan Thiel

Small Wall
The name says it all, it is a wall and it is small. A sheer drop from 15ft/5m to 40ft/15m with hiding places for large green morays and other shy critters. Overhangs and little nooks house schools of soldier fish, grunts, and damsels protecting their gardens and eggs. Lush gorgonians and sea fans wave in the soft current.

 
Small Wall

Beacon Point - A Special Dive
At this dive site you will find the largest pillar coral formation in the Caribbean. It is an impressive site. An advanced dive worth every minute of it. Look into the blue for large jacks and barracuda. During surface interval, enjoy a tour of the historic Fort Beekenburg.

 
Beacon Point

 
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