Dive Review of
Easy Divers/Habitat in
Curaçao/Rif St. Marie

Belize(Aggressor), Bonaire, Grand & Little Cayman, Provo, Fla.Keys,
Gloucester,Ma, St.Lawrence, NY

Dive Conditions

On boat dives-no restrictions, most dives ended after 60 minutes. Shore
diving at Habitat or anywhere else was left to your judgement.  

[None]  

Overall Rating

This my love letter to Curacao. I'm not a world traveller. I've been to
some other Caribbean locations which I've enjoyed, but I always come back
to Curacao. Maybe it's the large city- Willemstad, with the famous floating
bridge; the massive port with the old fort walls & turrets and bustling
hordes of locals and tourists shopping contrasted with beauiful countryside
where you can drive or hike the ancient hills and caves. What I like is the
minimal U.S. influence on culture. English is spoken, but Dutch &
Papiemento are the main languages. Habitat & Easy Divers is located on
Rif St. Marie along the southwest coast. All along this coast to the
western tip is some of the best boat and shore diving, rivaling and
surpassing Bonaire in my opinion. Like Captain Don's, Habitat Curacao has
the same "Diver Freedom" attitude. Tanks out 24/7- You have a
C-card, then you are responsible for yourself. Buddy diving is encouraged
but not forced.
Anne-Marie & Harry, who run Easy Divers in Habitat are excellent
operators-friendly, knowlegeable and willing to accomodate most requests.
The crew-who have been there awhile; Tristan, Angela, Dennis, Tuki and
"J" are all friendly and helpful on and off the boats;
environmentally conscientious and always approachable. The house reef is
beautiful and like Capt. Don's, there is the guide rope from the dock on
down to 120 feet so the novice can always find the way back. Beautiful hard
& soft coral teeming with small & medium tropicals and critters
abound. In October'03 and this trip in March I found two, that's right two
frogfish on the house reef. Night diving is fantastic-especially in Autumn
during coral spawning weeks. Habitat's rooms are clean and comfotable-all
have AC. The restaurant run by Esther and ably assisted by Sherman has good
food and drinks for those staying on the grounds. I prefer shore dives and
there is no shortage of great sites on this side of the island as well as
the far eastern side which I've only begun learning. There are 70 marked
dive sites-most accessable from shore. Like Bonaire, it's best to have a
car and explore. Unlike Bonaire there is much to do besides diving. There
is a suburban like enclave-Salina, where many Dutch reside, fine shopping
and great restaurants. Try Bistro Clouchard in Willemstad on the Otrabunda
side in the old fort for world class French cuisine. Or Janchie's, a local
family run operation out in Westpunt. The Ostrich Farm with it's authentic
African touch. So many more. Numerous white sand beaches-bikini tops
optional. The oldest synagogue in the western hemisphere is in Punda. Check
out the Slave Museum or the Jewish Museum in Otrabunda. The awesome
Christoffel National Park at the northwest tip. The locals are friendly and
the many Dutch who reside here have lost that cool veneer. There of course
is poverty, some government corruption, and crime. But that is unavoidable
on a big island. Most of the crime is local on local in towns a tourist
wouldn't be in. There is a thriving middle class of locals and ex-pats. It
is always hot here, but most times it is dry heat due to the tradewinds.
Water temp ranges from 78 in "winter" up to 85 in summer to early
autumn. Rain season-Oct-Dec.is light, but welcome on this thirsty
island.There are numerous colorful flora and for the bird watcher many
unique species. Have I said enough? I'm writing this with mixed feelings. I
want Easy Divers & Habitat to be discoverd and enjoyed by adventurous
divers and vacationers-on the other hand I don't want it to become a Grand
Cayman or Aruba overrun with U.S. influence.
American Airlines runs a daily flight out of Miami. Other airlines can
connect to Curacao. Hope to see you there. Be sure to rent a car and
explore.
 

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