Top 10 Fun Facts for Diving in Curacao | Ocean Encounters Diving
By Bryan Horne

Top 10 Fun Curacao Diving Facts

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 2022! Scuba Diving Magazine, 2022 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

Cruise Ship Excursions in Curacao with Ocean Encounters
By Bryan Horne

Cruise Ship Excursions in Curacao

Cruise Ship Excursions in Curacao

Cruise Ships arriving in Willemstad, Curacao

Are you looking for the best Cruises that explore the Dutch Caribbean? Are you planning a Cruise Ship vacation that includes an itinerary stop in Curacao? Are you maybe even thinking that you would like to enjoy a world-class Curacao diving or snorkeling experience with your family or friends as a shore excursion?

If you are, then we invite you to dive in with Ocean Encounters – Curacao’s premier PADI and SSI Dive Center! Our professional team is ready to welcome you to Curaçao when you port in with a wide range of fun diving and snorkeling experiences that include PADI or SSI courses, shore diving, boat diving and family friendly snorkel trips. 

The Best Cruise Ship Lines

Royal Caribbean Cruises

Experience Curaçao in full color with Royal Caribbean International. Cruise to the Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao and experience underwater life up close and personal with a snorkeling or scuba diving adventure with Ocean Encounters.

Celebrity Cruises

Start planning your luxury cruise vacation that includes Curaçao as a port of call, with Celebrity Cruises! Bright, airy, and beachy Willemstad may feel like a Dutch city, but don’t let the colonial pastels and European-style streets fool you—you’re on the Southern Caribbean cruise of a lifetime. On cruises to Curaçao, beautiful beaches, clear waters, and incredible diving and snorkeling at Ocean Encounters will quickly steal your heart.

Cruise Ship Excursions with Ocean Encounters

PADI and SSI Diving Experiences or Courses

Are you interested in trying scuba diving, becoming a certified open water diver or continuing your underwater adventure with a specialty course? At Ocean Encounters, our professional PADI and SSI instructors are ready for you!

Interested in learning to scuba dive? You’ve come to the right place. Our scuba lessons will unlock the door to new adventures and amazing marine encounters. By the end of your scuba certification course, you’ll see our ocean planet through new eyes.

Interested in continuing you adventure?
Whether you want to access more dive sites safely with an Advanced Open Water Diver certification or improve your skills with a wide range of PADI or SSI core specialties (underwater photography, videography, fish identification, deep diver, or become an enriched air nitrox diver), the Ocean Encounters team of professional instructors are ready to advance your diving education and skill set! CLICK here for all the specialty courses available.

Shore Diving in Curacao

Curacao is laid out in a way that makes the southern side of the island almost perfect for shore diving. Thanks to the geographic location, the winds in the area come from the Northeast, meaning that almost the entire southern shoreline is protected from heavy sea winds.

The lack of strong winds means that divers can get their feet wet almost any time of year, and the diving from shore is calmer and safer.

Guided Shore Dive at LionsDive Beach Resort

The Ocean Encounters Dive Team consists of highly trained Dive Masters that know the best spots to take you and have alot of fun doing it! And there is not better place than our house reef at LionsDive Beach Resort

Our house reef is a beautiful fringing ecosystem that is home to an incredible array of biodiversity, macro life it supports shallow water coral nurseries set up by Reef Renewal Curaçao.

Although this this site is named after the Stella Maris shipwreck (a wreck located far below recreational depth limits on deep water plateau), this this dive site is very special because of the abundant health of the beautiful fringing reef system due to the constant easterly currents pushing rich nutrients along the shoreline.

Boat Diving in Curacao

Let Ocean Encounters take you to the best diving sites in Curaçao! Our fleet of custom dive boats and our professional staff are ready!

Ocean Encounters offers you a complete schedule that allows you to dive many world class dive sites in Curaçao.

These dive trips for certified divers and all our Dive Trips can be booked online immediately. Just pick your favorite(s) below and click ‘Book Now’. Of course, one day may not be enough… and the more you dive – the more you save with our multi-day diving packages! 

Curacao Snorkeling Tours And Private Boat Trips

These essential trips and tours for you, your family or your friends can accommodate not only snorkelers and swimmers but also divers too! All private boats trips offer customized activities especially for you!

All these trips can be booked online! Just pick your favorite(s) below and click ‘Book Now’. We will contact you for any further information we might need from you to join.  All Private Trips are customizable, so if you have special requests, please contact us directly.

Maybe you don’t want to spend your holiday learning how to dive, but you are interested in trying out a dive? In that case our Discover Scuba Diving or Dolphin Dive for Non-Divers might be the thing for you!

Essential Curaçao Experiences

Frequently Asked Questions about Cruise Ship Excursions

Do you pick up at the terminal?

No, we are not allowed to pick up guests at the cruise ship terminal. A taxi can take you to our shop. It’s a 15 to 20-minute drive from the cruise ship terminal.

My ship is docking after 7:30, can I make it for the two-tank boat dive?

It can take about 1 hour from docking time to disembark from your Cruise Ship and get to our dive shop (a 15 to 20-minute drive). If you dock after 7:30, you will not be able to join the 2-tank morning dive, which departs at 8:30AM (check in at 8AM)

I’m thinking of leaving my equipment back home. Can I rent?

Yes. Whether you are leaving all of your equipment behind or just bringing a couple of items, we have plenty of equipment available for rent.

Contact our Dive Team for More Options

There are many options for transportation, diving, snorkeling, PADI / SSI courses and of course, specialty trips that can be customized for your needs and the Cruise berthing schedule. So, please contact our Ocean Encounters reservations team to dive into the endless opportunities to experience Curaçao. 
Coronavirus in Curacao Update - Ocean Encounters is ready to go diving!!
By Bryan Horne

Coronavirus in Curacao – Ocean Encounters Travel Updates

Coronavirus in Curacao - Travel and Vacation Updates

Are you planning your diving vacation to Curacao? Are you wondering what the current Coronavirus travel requirements are for Curacao including COVID testing requirements, testing locations and the essential links for Curacao immigration?

Then, START HERE!

Note that per February 21, 2022, the third day antigen test is no longer required. Per March 10, 2022, a PCR test is no longer required to enter Curacao. Per June 5, 2022, the Passenger Locator Card is no longer required.

Prior to departure, all visitors must still complete the Digital Immigration Card online as was the case prior to Covid-19. Please check the government portal dicardcuracao.com for the latest changes.  

Please note for some countries testing is still required to return home:

A PCR or Antigen test can be done onsite at LionsDive Resort and Sunscape Resort for hotel guests only (this may change at short notice).

 When you add it all up, Ocean Encounters together with our accommodation partners, are ready to provide you with the perfect vacation here in Curacao because together we have not left anything to chance.

WE ARE READY and WE HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON!

Are you ready to dive safely and securely back into Curacao?

We are READY TO GO DIVING in Curacao!

Here at Ocean Encounters, we want to re-assure you that we are taking Coronavirus seriously and that we want to do everything we can to keep you and our island community safe.

We are urging guests to practice good personal hygiene, frequently wash hands, sneeze or cough into your elbow, and avoid shaking hands. If you feel you have any symptoms before traveling to Curaçao, please consult your doctor immediately.

The Ocean Encounters professional Dive Team has put in place a complete program of Coronavirus Safety Protocols to ensure you, your family and your friends have the ultimate “SAFE” dive vacation experience in Curacao!

Upon entering the shop, touch free hand sanitizer is available, while our new logo on the floor guides guests to the reception to ensure social distancing. We’ve incorporated plexiglass barriers and tablets to fill in digital waivers to eliminate human contact. 

Our rental gear is disinfected before and after use and we have specially disinfected rinse tanks for divers with their own gear. On the boat, each diver sets up at least 6ft apart and individual fresh-water buckets are available for masks, cameras, or anything else you need to get wet. Once underwater, everyone is safe, and the diving has been epic lately!

Ocean Encounters has always taken a great deal of pride in providing a quality service and “ultimate dive experience” to our guests, while ensuring their safety, and the safety of our employees, always. With this in mind, we have amended our standard health and safety procedures to include a more stringent protocol, as follows:

  • Employees & guests are reminded to wash hands frequently. Signs have been placed in the bathrooms, kitchens, and water stations as friendly reminders.
  • Hand sanitizer placed at all shop counters – upon availability.
  • Rinse tanks cleaned and disinfected twice daily.
  • Mask buckets removed from all boats.
  • All counters cleaned & disinfected 3 times daily.
  • Guest sitting areas are cleaned & disinfected twice daily.
  • All rental equipment is sprayed with disinfectant when given out.
  • All rental equipment is placed in large buckets filled with bleach and disinfected upon return.

It is important that our guests have peace of mind because we want you to feel comfortable and confident while enjoying our services. However, be assured that we do understand that cancellations may occur due to change of travel plans, travel restrictions, or personal choice. Therefore, we are offering free rescheduling and gladly welcome you later.

 Once again, we want to reassure you of our dedication to ensure a safe, healthy, and quality dive or snorkel experience. Thank you for your continued support and loyalty. We are looking forward to welcoming you to Ocean Encounters soon.

Warm regards,

Jeremiah Peek
General Manager

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