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Dive Review of Ocean Encounters/Hilton in
Curaçao

Ocean Encounters/Hilton, Sep, 2005,

by Larry Polster, IN, USA . Report 2309.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 4 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving 2 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 3 stars
Comments Curacao had some of the best resturants and shops of all the islands. We ate at the French Bakery a couple times, their wine list was extensive. The food at most hotels was good, and many of the little beach bars had great sandwiches. For the non-diver, shopping downtown can take days.

Finding a cup of coffee early was a problem, I'm an early riser,the rooms did not have a coffee pot, hotel resturant did not open until 7AM.

While Curacao does not have the great shore diving like it's sister island Bonaire, the boat diving is similar, the night life better, and the overall experience (with a non-diver wife) better.

The Mushroom Forrest was one of the best dive sites in Curacao. I returned a second time with a different dive shop, because it was only on certain days if enough people signed up. It's on the other side of the island, requires an hour van ride (supplied by Ocean Encounters) to reach the dive boat /site. It's worth the trouble. Unusual coral heads (mushroom looking)plenty of fish, and lots of small critters. I photographed six different nudibrandt, blue, green, white..all out in the open and easy to shoot.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience Over 1000 dives
Where else diving Bonaire, Cozumel, Australia, St. Croix, Roatan, St. Croix
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm
Water Temp 81-81°F / 27-27°C Wetsuit Thickness 1
Water Visibility 80-100 Ft/ 24-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Dive your own profile, stay with your buddy, keep dive master in sight.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks 1 or 2 Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 4 stars Tropical Fish 5 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 1 stars
Large Pelagics 1 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 4 stars Boat Facilities 2 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 3 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments Some of the dive masters had UWP skills and could answer questions about cameras that they used. Clear water and lots of beautiful corals and sponges to frame landscape shots. Little critters everywhere, bring a macro lens.
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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