Ocean Encounters

Important Information for Diving in Curacao

Important Information for All Divers

  • All divers need to show proof of certification from an internationally recognized recreational scuba diving Agency.
  • You may be asked to show your logbook for verification.
  • Everyone must fully complete and sign the Ocean Encounters E-waiver prior to any diving and/or snorkeling activities.

Complimentary Welcome Dive

Prior to any boat diving, we recommend you complete a complimentary “welcome dive” from shore.

This beautiful shore dive on our wonderful house reefs (either at LionsDive Beach Resort or Sunscape Curacao Resort) allows you the opportunity to pre-check your equipment, weights, etc. plus eliminates any undiscovered issues. This complimentary shore dive will ensure you have a more enjoyable diving experience in Curacao.

Not been Scuba Diving for a Few Years? 

  • If the date of last dive was 18 months to 5 years ago, a refresher course is required.
  • If your last dive was 5-10 years ago, a Re-activate course is required.
  • If your last dive was over 10 years ago, a resort course or a full certification course is required.
  • You may be asked so show your logbook for verification.

Important Information for Junior Scuba Divers

Junior Open Water Divers

Junior Open Water divers are certified divers between the ages of 10-15 and they MUST BE accompanied by a certified open water diver who is a parent or a legal guardian while in the water during all open water dives both from shore and from the boat.  

Depth Limitations

  • 10-11 year old Junior Open Water Divers are limited to 40 feet / 12 meters on all dives.
  • 12-14 year old Junior Open Water Divers are limited to 60 feet / 18 meters on all dives.

Junior Advanced Open Water Divers

The minimum age to start the Advanced Open Water Diver course is 12. Junior Divers aged 10-11 can earn a Junior Adventure Diver certification. Upon turning 12, they can complete the deep dive and earn a Junior Advanced Open Water Diver certification.

Junior Advanced Open Water divers are certified divers between the ages of 12-15 and they MUST BE accompanied by a certified open water diver who is a parent or a legal guardian while in the water during all open water dives both from shore and from the boat.  

Depth Limitations

  • Junior Advanced Open Water Divers may dive to a maximum depth of 70 feet / 21 meters.

Diving Programs and Certification Courses

All programs and courses require the completion of a medical statement and may require clearance from a doctor.

All persons participating in any of the programs and/or certification courses have medical clearance from a doctor prior to arrival (PLEASE NOTE: the latter is required if a YES has been filled in anywhere). This form can be downloaded on the right side of this page.

External Instructors

When teaching any courses during your trip at Ocean Encounters Curaçao premises and/or on Ocean Encounters Curaçao boats and/or using Ocean Encounters Curaçao equipment, you are required to:

  • Inform Ocean Encounters Curaçao beforehand.
  • Complete the Ocean Encounters Curaçao Waiver (Instructor).

It is mandatory to provide proof of:

  • Being a dive instructor.
  • Having a valid instructor teaching status.
  • Having an instructor liability insurance – with Ocean Encounters Curaçao included on the policy if the insurance company allows this – for the duration of your stay.

Ocean Encounters Curaçao will take no responsibility and/or liability in any way for any matters related to dive education & certifications; personal injury, property damage or loss, wrongful death or other damages resulting from courses taught by external (non-Ocean Encounters Curaçao) instructors (see terms & conditions and the waivers for details).

Boat Diving Sites and Schedule

Ocean Encounters has a weekly boat diving site schedule that is posted at both LionsDive Beach Resort and Sunscape Curaçao Resort.

Our Dive Team works hard to maintain our schedule for you however there are factors that may preclude us from visiting specific sites due to weather, sea conditions, state, safety, Curacao Port Authority orders.

Therefore, Ocean Encounters cannot guarantee the availability to boat dive all the sites listed on the schedule.

Important Information about Diving Safety and Marine Conservation

Ocean Encounters endorses safe diving practices and expects all divers and snorkelers alike to respect the environment and to adhere to international best practices regarding marine conservation during all boat diving and shore diving activities.

  • Ocean Encounters provides one Divemaster for every 11 divers on our boats. Their primary concern is your safety and the environment. Please pay attention to their briefings.
  • Make sure to complete a safety stop of three minutes at 15 feet /5 meters prior to surfacing from all dives.
  • Solo Diving is not allowed, unless you are certified as a Self-Reliant Diver.
  • No Dive Gloves are allowed at any time on any dive.
  • Zero Contact Rule in relation to the flora and fauna is in effect for all dives.