By Bryan Horne

Top 5 Reasons to Visit the Caribbean Dive Destination of Curacao

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Curacao

Discover the Top 5 reasons WHY you should be considering Curacao as your next Caribbean diving vacation destination with Ocean Encounters. Why? Because as soon as the plane lands on the islands dry, flat land you will realize that Curacao is not a typical Caribbean island. 

Top 5 Reasons to Visit the Caribbean Dive Destination of Curacao

# 1: Curacao is not a typical Caribbean island

Although the history of Curacao has many different European influences, the island has been part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands since it was colonized by the Dutch.

Many refer to the group of islands off the coast of Venezuela – Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao – as the “ABC Islands”. But often, Aruba and Bonaire eclipse the “C”, Curaçao. No one is sure how this curious island got its name, but one theory is that it comes from the Portuguese word that means “heart”, since the island was the center of commerce in the seventeenth century. Although the name has remained, Portuguese is only one of the languages that you will hear on the island of Curacao: Papiamento, Dutch, English and Spanish are the others.

Top 5 Reasons to Visit the Caribbean Dive Destination of Curacao
Photo courtesy of Rutger Geerling

Traveler Tip: Language of Curaçao – Papiamento for tourists

You will notice it even before leaving the airport: blue and white porcelain dishes and delicious Dutch snacks are sold throughout the island as souvenirs, and the capital, Willemstad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, features a recognizable Dutch architecture of gabled roofs and curved eaves.

Curacao has a population of approximately 160,000 inhabitants and a modern infrastructure, including the highest bridge and the largest shipping port in the Caribbean. Many natives of the island take advantage of their European passport and travel throughout Europe and attend university in Holland if they can. You will also see many Dutch working, living or vacationing on the island.

Like other Caribbean islands, Curacao has a mega cruise terminal, but you won’t feel like it’s in Disneyland wherever you go. The pier is adjacent to the historic Rif Fort and the Renaissance Mall, which offers cruise ship passengers an easy option to experience the history of Curacao.

# 2: The island is a big party

Any night of the week and at any time of the year, you can find some kind of nightlife in Curacao. Nightlife is one of the best things to do in Curacao, with weekly events and annual festivals such as Punda Vibes – Every Thursday, Carnival and King’s Day.

Music festivals, such as the Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival, arrive on the island frequently, and many of the beaches such as Mambo Beach have become popular sunset gathering areas where happy hours are offered at the bars and restaurants which include include DJs and live music. There are also many discrete lounges and bars, especially in the historic Pietermaai District.

# 3: Curacao has been a "FOODIE PARADISE" for decades

Curacao has a lot to offer when it comes to your culinary experience. The restaurants on Curacao have a variety of local dishes, but the international cuisine is also well represented on the island.

Dive In & Taste it for Yourself… because eating is an important part of Antillean culture, and it would be a shame if you didn’t enjoy it. One of the nicest things about vacation is discovering new dishes from the local kitchen. Lunch is just as important on Curacao as dinner. There are plenty of restaurants and eateries on Curacao, but where is the best place to go? Here is the top 10 of the best – and sometimes less well-known restaurants for lunch and dinner on Curacao!!

Avila Beach Hotel Curacao

# 4: Any type of traveler will love it

Cruises, families of all ages, divers, adventure travelers, couples and groups of friends can find things to do in Curacao, and accommodation offers range from five-star resorts to hostels.

There is something for everyone with activities ranging from restaurants to shopping, street parties and beach clubs. In addition, with more 70 pristine dive sites and 40 beautiful beaches on the island, you will have no trouble finding your own personal paradise.

# 5: Curacao is a diver's paradise

The fringing reefs of Curaçao are some of the healthiest and most bio-diverse in the entire Caribbean region, so it is no surprise that this Dutch Caribbean island is one of the Top 10 dive and vacation destinations in the World.  Whether you are a snorkeler, a novice diver or if you have an open water certificate, you will find a perfect dive site for your level.

The Tugboat wreck, as an example, is a dive site located in only five meters of water and is feasible as a diver or snorkeler; You can also do a dive along the wall and explore an underwater cliff. Other major dive sites include the MV Superior Producer, Klein Curaçao, Mushroom Forest, and of course, The Blue Room which is an essential Curaçao experience!

Under the water and depending on the time of year, you will see an incredible array of life and colour which will include sea turtles, rays, dolphins, sharks, eels, lion fish and species of fish that are exclusive to Curacao.

Boat Diving in Curacao with Ocean Encounters
The Superior Producer - Curaçao's Iconic Shipwreck

Start Planning your Next Diving Vacation to Curacao

Are you ready, after reading these Top 5 Reasons, to start thinking or planning your next dive vacation to Curacao? Then take the next step and discover our complete Sleep and Dive Packages with the Best Dive Resorts in Curacao! 

Are you still not convinced about the world class diving that is available here in Curacao? Are you looking for more reasons why you should dive in Curacao?  Then check out our Top 10 Fun Curacao Diving facts!

As mentioned earlier, Curacao is not your typical EAT, SLEEP, DIVE, REPEAT Caribbean island!  Of course, diving in Curacao is the number one thing to do but when you are not diving there are unlimited top-side possibilities too. So, don’t wait! Take a giant stride in and start planning to experience Curacao for yourself, to discover, why our Dutch Caribbean island is a world class dive vacation destination. 

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Snorkeling Guide for Curacao | Snorkel Boat Trips with Ocean Encounters
By Bryan Horne

Snorkeling Guide for Curacao

Snorkeling Guide for Curacao

There are many beautiful places in the world where you can go snorkeling. One of the most beautiful places for anyone who wants to organize a snorkeling holiday is Curaçao. If you want to snorkel in Curaçao, it is not a bad idea to take the time to read this Snorkeling Guide for Curacao.

We have listed important information below that can be useful when snorkeling in Curaçao.

Snorkeling Trips and Private Boat Charters

Curaçao, a favorite holiday destination, is an exotic island in the southern Caribbean Sea and part of the Kingdom of The Netherlands.

The temperatures between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius, the coziness of the island, the bays with pearly white beaches, the varied landscape and the underwater world ensure that the largest island of the so-called ABC islands is very popular.

There are more than 60 locations where you can dive and snorkel. The crystal clear water ensures that you have a view of more than 30 meters.

The water temperature is around 27 degrees Celsius all year round. The usually weak currents and calm waves allow you to enjoy the marine life and from the beach you can reach most snorkeling locations.

Arguably, some of the most beautiful snorkeling spots in Curaçao are located in Bandabou, commonly referred to as the Southwest side of Curaçao. There you will find sheltered bays, coves, and of course – famous beaches like Cas Abao, Porto Mari and Playa Kalki!

Curacao Snorkeling and Private Boat Trips with Ocean Encounters

The Best Snorkeling Sites in Curacao

The Famous Tugboat Wreck

More towards the middle of the island, is the famous Tugboat Wreck in Caracasbaai. This boat was tugging a bigger boat when the big boat threw out anchor on the tugboat upon which it sank instantly. The boat rests at about 5 meters of depth on the bottom and is a popular diving and snorkeling spot. 

The Tugboat can be reached by boat with Ocean Encounters with the 2-tank morning boat, the 1-tank afternoon boat or the afternoon snorkel trip.

Once there, you can see the wreck through the clear azure blue water. It is covered with corals and you can find moray eels, trumpet fish, angel fish and tube coral. If you succeed you can even spot the seahorse living there. The Tugboat is great to enjoy because it is in a protected bay with a weak current and a little wave action.

Afternoon Snorkel Trip
From: $60

Afternoon Snorkel Trip

Mushroom Forest and the Blue Room

The Blue Room, located next to Mushroom Forest, is a cave along the cliffside. Because the sunlight shines through the entrance of the cave, it creates a beautiful blue glow. It is true underwater light show. You can encounter turtles, rays, nurse sharks, moray eels and lobsters.

An additional fact is that the cave is called Boka Flute by the locals. This is due to the whistling sound coming from the cave. 

Ocean Encounters organizes private charters to this part of the island. Snorkel gear is already included and additional discover (try) scuba dives for non-certified divers or dives for certified divers can be added on.

Mushroom Forest and the Blue Room - Private Boat Trip
From: $200

Mushroom Forest and the Blue Room - Private Boat Trip

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Diving and Snorkeling at Klein Curacao

If you could imagine a picturesque deserted Caribbean island surrounded by warm aquamarine waters, then welcome to Klein Curaçao.

Located approximately 6.5 miles off the eastern tip of Curaçao, this is a very special trip for divers and for snorkelers alike. The locals say that the underwater habitats of Klein Curaçao is where everything is bigger and there is more of it with almost the guarantee of turtle sightings, ocean triggerfish and large groupers.

Dive into this true Caribbean island, a pristine location for scuba diving and snorkeling in Curacao, and feel it for yourself.

Klein Curacao - An Essential Private Boat Trip
From: $200

Klein Curacao - An Essential Private Boat Trip

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Snorkeling Guide for Curacao | Snorkel Boat Trips with Ocean Encounters
Photo courtesy of Frank Do, Playa Piskado in Westpunt, Curacao

Playa Grandi / Playa Piskadó

But, what about swimming with Turtles? Well, if that is what you are in search of, then you will need to head to Westpunt, a small fishing Village, and visit Playa Grandi, also called Playa Piskadó. At one time, this local fisherman’s beach was pretty quiet and not frequented by many tourists. 

However, over time, Playa Piskadó has become quite a famous location to swim with turtles. 

PLEASE NOTE: If you decide to swim or snorkel with Turtles in Curacao - Do Not Touch, Feed, or Harass these magnificent sea creatures. Please respect all life including sea turtles! It is important not touch nor feed the turtles, don’t chase after the turtles -  by respecting their natural environment, you are helping to protect, and ultimately conserve, this beautiful and unique Curacao experience for future generations.

Sea Turtle Conservation Curacao

Not far from Playa Grandi is a quiet and small beach called Playa Forti. The sand contains many pebbles. You can spot the same animals here as Playa Grandi. If you are a real daredevil you can jump off a 12 meter high cliff into the clear water.

Playa Kalki is in the vicinity. This is a narrow and beautiful white beach to the west of Curaçao. The name Kalki is characterized by the lime in the cliffs. The reef next to Playa Kalki is called “Alice in wonderland” because of the lush coral landscapes that form a maze.

Snorkeling in Curacao provides unlimited Enjoyment

Everyone can snorkel in Curaçao. Still, there are a number of basic helpful tips you can follow to increase your enjoyment while snorkeling the beautiful fringing reefs here in Curaçao.

The most important tip to remember is: Never touch the corals! Also very important is to have a mask that fits. For specialist advice, come to Ocean Encounters where we can fit one especially for you!

Here are some general tips and advice for fitting a mask and choosing the right snorkel.

  1. Hold the mask against your face. Make sure it fits comfortably around your eyes and nose and remove all hairs from the mask. Choose a different size if necessary. Inhale through your nose with the mask against your face. The vacuum created in the mask must ensure that it stays against your face when you take your hand away.
  2. When choosing a snorkel, you can choose from a dry vs semi-dry vs wet snorkel. A dry-snorkel has a valve that closes when the snorkel dips into the sea, preventing water to fill up the tube, a semi-dry snorkel has a splash protector, preventing waves to constantly fill up the tube, but this does not help when dipping the snorkel in the sea; and a wet snorkel which does not have any protection.
    • Note: Snorkels always have an air pocket and a purge valve. This small pocket of air in the bottom of the snorkel underneath the mouthpiece collects water that comes into the snorkel so that the collected water does not get into your mouth. With the purge valve, you can blow water out that way so you do not have to blow it all the way up the snorkel. That can be hard to do after diving down to take a closer look at a coral or fish.
  3. An alternative to a regular snorkel and mask is a full face snorkeling mask. The advantage is that it covers your full face, so you can breathe through your nose and mouth and because of the large window, visibility is amazing.
    • Note: Not all full face snorkeling masks are manufactured equal. Consult the Ocean Encounters Dive Team to explore the possibilities and to learn how to safely use full face snorkeling masks.
Snorkeling Guide for Curacao | Essential Trips with Ocean Encounters
Unlimited Shore Diving in Curacao | Ocean Encounters

Snorkeling in Curacao – what does it cost?

Snorkeling, generally speaking, is considerably less expensive than scuba diving.

But that is obvious right? Let’s face it, you only need a set of fins, a mask and a snorkel! So, anyone who wants to explore the “surface of the underwater world” and can swim – can snorkel! 

If you have now forgotten to bring your snorkeling set, as mentioned above, this will not have to be a problem – visit our fully stocked Dive Shop at LionsDive Beach Resort. Our professional Dive Team at Ocean Encounters can equip you with a choice of high quality gear from leading manufactures like Cressi, Mares, TUSA and Scubapro!  

What is the difference between Snorkeling and Freediving?

If you think freediving is just like snorkeling (but going really deep) – think again. Freediving is an entirely different way to experience the underwater world. You’ll dive deeper, stay down longer, and feel part of the ocean itself.

Freediving can also be a competitive sport. Divers around the world train for years to set world records in static apnea, dynamic apnea, free immersion and constant weight freediving.

Diving into deep waters on one breath and without any breathing apparatus is referred to as ‘freediving’. Freedivers use inward control, discipline and power to descend into the ocean while holding their breath until they resurface. Freediving is both a recreational and competitive sport, with many freediving competitions being held regularly around the world.

If you are interested in Freediving while in Curacao – the best place to start exploring this incredible experience is at Cas Abao Beach with Freediving Curaçao!

Their professional team of instructors can safely introduce you to this sport and expand your skill set at your own pace.  Want to know more about Freediving before you dive in? CLICK here to find out more information!

When is snorkeling in Curacao ideal?

Snorkeling is possible 365 days of the year in Curaçao. Located 12 degrees north of the equator, Curaçao is an arid island that has warm and sunny climate generally cooled by easterly trade winds – except during the months of August and September. The average air temperature is around 27 ° C

There are occasional showers during the rainy season however the average yearly rainfall is less than 22 inches or 55 centimeters – this period lasts from October to January.

Snorkeling versus Diving in Curacao

Snorkeling in Curacao is amazing.  But if you have reached this point then you certainly need no more convincing of the fact that snorkeling is an essential experience when visiting our Dutch Caribbean island! However, there is a depth to Curacao that simply cannot be appreciated unless you dive in and experience it for yourself. 

If you would like to dive in to “try scuba diving” or start exploring the possibilities of becoming a certified PADI / SSI diver, then click here to discover the scuba diving courses offered by our professional Dive Team here in Curaçao.

Why Dive in Curacao?

Our good friend Bryan Horne from Dive Curaçao sums it up best!

“Largest of the ABC (including Aruba and Bonaire) Islands, Curaçao is home to some of the most bio-diverse reefs in the Caribbean.  The sheltered southern coast is rich in coral, and suitable for divers of all levels, with little in the way of adverse conditions at any of the popular dive sites.  Divers and snorkelers never seem to be able to stop talking about the beauty of scuba diving Curacao.  Let us assure you, this is with good reason.”

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Top 5 Things to Do in Curacao | Ocean Encounters Vacation Tips & Advice
By Bryan Horne

Top 5 Things To Do in Curacao

Top 5 Things to Do in Curacao

As much we love taking people scuba diving in Curacao to explore and discover the underwater beauty of Curacao, we are well aware that you may be traveling with non-divers too! Not to mention, Curacao is not a typical Caribbean island either because there is a lot of things to do in Curacao.  So, if are you looking for the essential top-side activities while vacationing in Curacao, then keep reading to dive in to the Top 5 Things To Do in Curacao! 

Top 5 Things to Do

Essential Non-Diving Tips and Advice when vacationing in Curacao

Sit Back and Relax

What better way to spend your Caribbean holiday than at the beach! We are located at the LionsDive Beach Resort right next to the Mambo Beach Boulevard. A long beach strip awaits you for a relaxing day of soaking up some sun and swimming at the beach.

Dive in to the Flavors of Curacao

There are various restaurants and bars in the area. Right outside our dive shop you’ll find Hemingway which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They have an international menu so you can rest assured you’ll find something of your taste. Other restaurants within the LionsDive Beach Resort are Piazza, Chill Beach Bar & Grill, and Nemo Restaurant. There are also several options available at the Mambo Beach Boulevard fit for any budget.

Bonus tip: If you want to get in touch with some locals, check out “Coco Guy”, a local coconut vendor. You’ll find him by the Mari Pampoen Recreational Area at the speedbump across from the former Miramar Restaurant. Stick around, after you finish your coconut water, he’ll crack open your coconut so you can eat the fresh fruit later!

LionsDive Beach Resort | Ocean Encounters Curacao
Hemingway Beach Bar and Restaurant at LionsDive Beach Resort

Explore the Historic Streets of Willemstad

Exploring, shopping, and discovering the unique flavors of Curaçao in the historic epicenter of downtown Willemstad is an adventure that should not be missed.  The easiest way to see it and feel it all at once is to join Punda Vibes every Thursday!

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.

Also known as the “heart of Curacao”, Punda was first established in 1634 with the original name “de punt”. This vibrant district with pedestrian-only streets had since grown and evolved in to one of Curacao’s most popular destinations within the capital, Willemstad, holding the title of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Punda is also home to the Mikve Israel Emanuel Synagogue, the oldest surviving synagogue in the Americas. The quaint alleys of Punda lead you to the island’s top shopping destination where you can get everything from local crafts to electronics. On Thursday nights, Punda transforms.

Curacao Sleep and Dive Vacation Packages at Ocean Encounters

A fairly new and interesting event turned weekly habit has been making waves in Punda on Thursday nights with Punda Vibes. A celebration of Punda’s booming art scene wherein the town showcases work from local artists. Pop-up craft markets, live theater, and historic dancing as music fills the alleys and people dance under the stars. Afterwards, a stunning fireworks display decorates the sky.

Afternoon Snorkeling or Private Boat Trips

If someone in your party is diving with us on the afternoon boat, you can join too! We take both snorkelers and divers on our afternoon boat trips. We will take you to two of the most popular snorkel sites on the island, the Tugboat and Director’s Bay.

The tugboat is a cute little wreck that is over a quarter century old and sits in just 17ft/5m of water.

Director’s Bay is home to some amazing creatures like seahorses, frogfish, a large octopus and more. At Director’s Bay you’ll also see some of the corals that have been out-planted by the Reef Renewal Curacao.

We also offer a weekly trip to the west! Join our full day trip to snorkel the famous Mushroom Forest & the Blue Room with lunch included.

Curacao Snorkeling and Private Boat Trips with Ocean Encounters

Discover the Deserted Island of Klein Curacao

If you could imagine a picturesque deserted Caribbean island surrounded by warm aquamarine waters, then welcome to Klein Curaçao.

Located approximately 6.5 miles off the eastern tip of Curaçao, this is a very special trip for divers and for snorkelers alike. The locals say that the underwater habitats of Klein Curaçao is where everything is bigger and there is more of it with almost the guarantee of turtle sightings, ocean triggerfish and large groupers.

This tiny, rugged, desolate island of volcanic rock is located off the southeast coast of Curaçao – about one-and-a-half hours by boat.

This is essential day trip while visiting Curacao and a prime location for scuba diving, snorkeling or just simply chilling out on the beach!  When you arrive at Klein Curacao, you will quickly realize that this a pristine and unspoiled Caribbean paradise!

Top 5 Things to Do in Curacao | Ocean Encounters Vacation Tips & Advice

Sea and Learn at the Curaçao Sea Aquarium

If you want to learn more about Curaçao’s marine life, the Curaçao Sea Aquarium is a great way to do that. Just a 1-minute walk from our shop! The Sea Aquarium is known for having created natural habitats for all its marine creatures without using sophisticated technical equipment. Due to an open-water system all the aquaria are in immediate contact with the open sea.

Off-Roading in Curacao with Eric's ATV Adventures

If you’re feeling up to a little for adventure, you can find Eric’s ATV Adventures right around the corner offering Curacao tours. Their ATV’s are suitable for experienced and inexperienced drivers. All you need is a normal driver’s license and you are ready to go! They have various tours available varying from 1.5 hours to up to 6 hours. Minimum age for passengers is 5 years.

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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.

Guided Shore Diving

The Stella Maris Reef is the house reef of LionsDive Beach Resort & Ocean Encounters Diving.
Learn More

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

Discover Scuba Diving Course
From: $135

Discover Scuba Diving Course

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Afternoon Snorkel Trip
From: $60

Afternoon Snorkel Trip

One Tank Boat Dive
From: $75

One Tank Boat Dive

Two Tank AM Boat Diving
From: $130

Two Tank AM Boat Diving

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. 

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