Diving with Habitat Curacao in
Curaçao in 2003/11:
an Instant Reader Report

 Bahamas, Caymans, Turks and Caicos, Bonaire, Cozumel, New Jersey 

Dive Conditions

None, we did shore diving only  

[None]  

Overall Rating

The Marriott is simply the most beautiful and comfortable hotel we've
enjoyed. A bit pricey but well worth it. Wonderful service and on our trip,
due to the off-season, Marriott gave us free breakfast and another $100 in
hotel credit. Very nice.

We did a shore dive off the Hilton (used to be the Sheraton). Pretty much
a junk yard near the hotel but as we got further towards Willemstad it
began to look more natural. Steeply sloped wall dropping to well over 100
feet, very nice coral, lots of sea life but nothing very big. We also dove
at Habitat Curacao, which has a very fine dive operation and a beautiful
house reef. Just lovely shore diving site. We also ate at lunch at Habitat
and enjoyed the meal.

Unlike Bonaire which is just fine for beginners, new divers should go with
more experienced divers when tackling Curacao. On this trip the currents
and waves were not a problem. Last time we visited (2002), sudden, strong
currents made two dives a bit more than one might like. Also on the last
trip, the waves made getting back on to the boat a bit adventurous. This
trip we chose to carry alert sausages, signal whistles, and a lift bag and
reel to facilitate safety stops in strong currents (although we did not
need them). Divers might wish to take a jon line if they want to boat dive.


If anyone goes to Curacao, they simply MUST have a car. This was our
second trip and the place is better and better each time. Willemstad is a
city of 130,000, with an interesting historic district and more than a few
very nice places to eat. Touring the island is a MUST, especially the very
fine national parks along the northern edge of the island. 

We had a grand time and look forward to going back again. Note: Curacao
has instituted a $22 CASH ONLY facility tax which we only discovered at the
airport on our way home. 
 

Questions?
Send an email to the author of this report

Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. It is presented here to provide Undercurrent readers with timely information on dive operations worldwide. The material may contain errors, typos, ... Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above. An edited version of this report will likely appear in the next Travelin' Divers' Chapbook, which will be sent to newsletter subscribers and published online for Online Members.