Ocean Encounters

Top 10 Fun Curacao Diving Facts

It might not come as a surprise that here at Ocean Encounters, we love to go diving and have fun doing it! So, with the help of some international dive media partners, we rounded up a list of the Top 10 fun facts to dive in Curacao.
 
There are SO MANY reasons to come diving in Curacao not to mention the fact that USA Today ranks scuba diving as the #1 Thing to Do in Curacao! Generally speaking whether it is our passionate staff, new clients or our regular repeating customers, trying to contain their enthusiasm to get wet is pretty difficult.
 
Simply put – it is hard to find a reason NOT to come diving in Curacao. But let’s face it, we could be a little biased! Or are we? That’s why we have compiled this Top 10 list. So keep reading because this list will provide you with an unbiased overview of reasons why you should start planning your next scuba diving vacation to Curacao! 

Top 10 Fun Facts for Diving in Curacao

Top 10 Reasons – #1: Because Curacao is not only a world class scuba diving and vacation destination, it is also one of the best Caribbean destinations to travel to for 2023! Scuba Diving Magazine, 2023 Readers Choice Award

About Curacao

Curaçao is located 43 miles (70km) off the North Coast of Venezuela, outside of the hurricane belt in southern part of the Caribbean. Curaçao is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of The Netherlands and, together with Aruba and Bonaire, it constitutes the “ABC” islands. Curaçao is considered part of the Dutch Caribbean that also includes St. Maarten, Saba and Sint Eustatius, also known as Statia.

Located at just 12° north of the Equator, Curaçao’s consistently warm and sunny climate creates the perfect scenario for year round tourism. That coupled with the average temperature around 27°C (81°F) plus the cooling winds blowing constantly from the east (strongest in the spring months) provide excellent conditions for adventure travelers and beach goers alike.

Top 10 Fun Facts for Diving in Curacao | Ocean Encounters Diving
Photo courtesy of Gail Johnson Photography

Dive Travel Trip: Visit Punda Vibes – Every Thursday in downtown Curacao! This is more than just a street gathering, Punda Vibes celebrates, every Thursday night, the history and heritage of Willemstad with the help of Curacao’s culture cultivators and locals. The event gives new light to the streets and alleys, promoting a homegrown love and appreciation of the locale’s diversity.

Curacao’s Best Quality Dive Shop

Top 10 Reasons – #2: Ocean Encounters in Curacao was voted as one of the BEST quality dive operators in the Caribbean in the 2022 Readers Choice Awards.

“With on-site facilities at both LionsDive Beach Resort and, Sunscape Beach Resort, Spa and Casino, Ocean Encounters is committed to delivering the highest-quality dive experience. The facility is the biggest on island, catering to the highest number of repeat guests. Divers return to Curaçao and Ocean Encounters for a handful of reasons, starting with the lineup of famous sites, such as Mushroom Forest, Klein Curaçao, Eastpoint and Blue Room, where visitors can’t help but be wowed by the health of the reefs and the density of the fish schools flowing over top.” Scuba Diving Magazine

Another big reason that divers get hooked on Ocean Encounters is the staff because they continually deliver above and beyond what is expected to ensure that every guest has the ultimate dive vacation.

Curacao is a Macro Paradise

Top 10 Reasons – #3:  Curacao is a macro scuba diving paradise.  Shark and Ray (Manta’s, Stingrays, Mobula) sightings are rare but that makes those encounters incredibly special.  But all the photogenic small stuff is here on Curaçao.

Curacao is a Macro Photography Paradise | Ocean Encounters
Spotted Cleaner Shrimp, photo by Pol Bosch
Curacao is a Macro Photography Paradise | Ocean Encounters
Peacock Flounder, photo by Pol Bosch
Curacao is a Macro Photography Paradise | Ocean Encounters
Hermit Crab, photo by Pol Bosch

Some fan favorites are the Frogfish, Longlure and occasionally Ocellated, plus trunkfish, banded coral shrimps and so much more. These can be great subjects for wide-angle close ups and of course Seahorses are for the sharp eyed. 

Also, if you are good with your camera and buoyancy, the diver masters at Ocean Encounters will most likely share their little secrets.

Wreck Diving in Curacao

Top 10 Reasons – #4: If you are a snorkeler, a recently certified diver or an advanced open water diver – you are in for a treat because Curaçao is world renowned for our shipwrecks! 

Most notably is Curaçao’s iconic shipwreck, the MV Superior Producer – an advanced dive – because it is truly a dive into history!

The famous Tugboat of Caracasbaai or the Saba Tugboat in Jan Thiel are also excellent as entry level dive or fun family snorkel trip.

Wreck Diving in Curacao | Ocean Encounters
Wreck diving at the Superior Producer

Continue your Adventure: The PADI Advanced Open Water Course is the ultimate program to help you get the most out of your diving.

Cavern, Cave and Grotto

Top 10 Reasons – #5: Discovering “The Blue Room” on Curaçao is one of the coolest and most talked about experiences in the entire Caribbean and a perfect place for off-gassing between dives or for a wonderful snorkel trip. Today, The Blue Room has become an essential Curaçao experience. And, that light… unforgettable.”

Dive at Mushroom Forest – Rated as one of the ‘Caribbean Best Dives’ by Sport Diver Magazine – then spend the surface interval exploring the unique, and equally special “Blue Room”. 

Mushroom Forest Private Boat Trip with Ocean Encounters in Curacao
Experience Mushroom Forest and the Blue Room in Curacao on your own terms with Private Trips from Ocean Encounters

Shore Diving and Snorkeling

Top 10 Reasons – #6: Curacao is a unique shore diving and snorkeling haven for divers looking to take the advantage of a more leisurely schedule.  On the south side of the island, the fringing reef in most cases is within 60-feet (20m) from the shoreline which leads to incredible drop offs that allow divers to venture a little bit deeper into the aquatic wonderland.  Of the seventy popular dive sites the island has available, over half of them are reachable from the shore.

Dive in and start exploring the limitless possibilities with our unlimited shore diving packages, private trips and of course, our fun family snorkeling trips.

High Quality and Superior Customer Service

Top 10 Reasons – #7: Whether you are a new diver, or a well saturated veteran, we are dedicated to providing you with the best possible vacation experience while in Curacao. As a knowledgeable & responsible dive operator, it is our pleasure to take care of your every need while on vacation – but especially while you are enjoying one of our signature trips!

But these experiences alone can also be said about so many other world class destinations too, such as our better-known sister Bonaire.  

However, our beautiful Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao is “clearly distinguishing ourselves from these other world class destinations by focusing on not only the blue factors but also highlighting the topside richness of our island where you can experience the essence of Curacao through the culture, language, music, and history.” says, Jeremiah Peek, the General Manager of Ocean Encounters.

Jeremiah went on to say, “The fact is that Curaçao is one of the most unique islands in the Dutch Caribbean, if not the world, that offers everyone who visits something different because it bridges all the gaps, intrigues all the senses and allows you all the freedom to experience it, on your own terms.  I guess that is why we say that all you need is to dive in and feel it for yourself”.

Best Diving Vacation Value in the Caribbean

Top 10 Reasons – #8: “Scuba Diving on Curacao is the number one thing to DO – but of course there are plenty of things to do on Curacao and no right way to experience any of them. 
 
All travelers can make the island their own experience while embracing its authentic, unforgettable spirit that clearly distinguishes Curaçao from other Caribbean and worldwide destinations.”

Best Dive Resorts in the Caribbean

Top 10 Reasons – #9: Ocean Encounters has partnered with LionsDive Beach Resort and, Sunscape Curaçao Resort, Spa and Casino to bring you high quality “Sleep and Dive” Packages. Whether you are individuals, family, friends or Dive Groups – these packages are sure to meet and exceed your expectations.
 
If you are you looking to customize your dive travel experience, our reservations team is ready to assist you too. Contact us today to start exploring the possibilties. We are ready when you are!
Best Curacao Dive Resorts in the Caribbean | Ocean Encounter Diving
Click Here - 360 Tour of the Best Dive Resorts in Curacao

Ocean Encounters’ Sustainability Pledge

Top 10 Reasons – #10: It’s no secret that our environment is facing a lot of challenges. Unfortunately, the biggest wrong-doer is human kind and now the ocean’s survival is being threatened. At Ocean Encounters, we believe in educating, setting an example and making a change.

It is for this reason, that we have committed to making a strong eco-friendly presence with our green initiatives and have taken these to another level with our #OEPledge, our commitment to sustainability. The #OEpledge shares the many different ways we have been involved in protecting the local waters, marine life, and community.

Reef Renewal Curacao is an example of one of these sustainability initiatives. Supported by Ocean Encounters, our community, sponsors, and volunteers – the main objective is the restoration of our shallow water reef system, educating the community and protecting and preserving Curaçao’s natural ecosystems.

Plan to Dive for a Purpose in Curacao and play a part in the Curaçao coral restoration Strategy. By doing so, you will help Reef Renewal Curaçao restore the unique fringing coral reef systems around our beautiful Dutch Caribbean island.

Start Planning your next Caribbean Dive Vacation

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