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Dive Review of Ocean Encounters Diving/Sunscape Resort in
Curaçao

Ocean Encounters Diving/Sunscape Resort: "Pleasant Stay and Diving at Curacao", Oct, 2017,

by Carol Risdall, SD, US ( 2 reports with 4 Helpful votes). Report 9910 has 2 Helpful votes.

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 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving 5 stars
Snorkeling 5 stars
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments I was able to get there and back without any overnight stays, which is always a bonus for me since I usually have to fly with many connecting flights from my hometown of Rapid City. I flew American Airlines from Rapid City to Dallas and then to Miami to get there, ands visa versa to get back. Connection times were ample to leisurely. Miami Airport seemed very cold even though it was over 80 degrees outside. Suggest you take several layers to survive the varying temperatures on the plane and in the airports. Curacao was very hot and humid- much more than I remember at Bonaire.

We stayed at the Sunscape Resort which is an all inclusive resort sprawling over several acres, complete with several restaurants, bars,pools, beaches, and a casino. In spite of its size it did not seem crowded except when waiting to get into some of the restaurants in the evening. Activities were offered throughout the day and evening so there was no lack of entertainment when not diving. A public transportation van could be taken around the island for $2 if you wanted to see more of the island. Of course you would be stopping all along the way to pick up and drop off passengers. The van went frequently and was easy to get on at the stop in front of the resort, and also at the depot downtown. Taxis and bus tours were also available for a higher price.

I was pleasantly surprised by the diving. The corals were all in all quite healthy, especially to the east. There were signs of regrowth of staghorn coral , which was planted from coral farms, such as one just east of the resort. One dive was over "New York City"- an large area of pillar coral, which resembled tall skyscrapers. We did two special dives, one at Klein Curacao and the other to the west at Mushrooms. Both were superb but it you had a choice of only one I suggest Klein Curacao because of the untouched lush coral growth.

The diving of the resort was superb and easy. Just a jump off the dock and a short swim over to a wall dropping down to 100 feet.And there was a big street sign pointing the way back! We were required to take a dive flag, which was the international blue and white flag rather the red one with a white strip. Make sure you check the length of the reel. On one dive I had only 60 feet of line which restricted my depth and put quite a stretch on the arm.

Websites Ocean Encounters Diving   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience Over 1000 dives
Where else diving Cayman Islands, Bonaire, Cozumel, Socorros, Cocos Island, St Lucia, Komodo, Raja Ampat, PNG, Fiji, Philippines, Palau, Hawaii, Texas Oil Rigs, Minnesota and South Dakota lakes, California coast, Florida springs
Closest Airport Curacao International Airport Getting There American Airlines flies regularly from Miami.

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm, choppy, no currents
Water Temp 84-86°F / 29-30°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 75-100 Ft/ 23-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Be back at boat at 55 minutes
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas 1 or 2
Dolphins Schools Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 5 stars Tropical Fish 4 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 4 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments Rinse tank available for cameras. Crowded area for cameras and dry gear towards bow of boat. Staff were sensitive to handling of gear. Extra rinse tanks were provided for some of the bigger camera outfits some people in our group had.
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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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