FAQ's - diving around Curacao

Conditions

What is the average visibility?   30 m

Are there currents?   Usually there is only a very slight current or none at all.

What is the average water temperature?  28 celcius

Are there seasonal differences in the water temperature?  In the winter the water is 2-3 degrees colder.

Reefs

What do dive operators do to protect the reefs?  They never anchor the boats, gloves are not allowed, and they  try to make the divers aware of the fact that the reef is very fragile.

At what depth do the reefs start?  All the reefs in Curacao are along the coastline. Most reefs start at 5 – 10 m.

Do you have wall diving?  We have some wall diving, like Bullen Bay, but most reefs do not have walls.

Marine life

What makes Curacao´s marine life different?  The reefs are very healthy and have a high coral density, a lot of sponges, and over 141 species of marine life including millions of colourful tropical fish.

What type of fish is it possible to see?  Tropical fish such as Parrotfish which are highly visible even from land in the crystal clear water. Many Eels are present.  Depending on conditions and the luck of the dive it is often possible to spot seahorses in a multitude of colours. Frogfish and schools of Blue Tangs and Creole Wrasses are also commonly seen.

Rental Equipment

Can I rent a dive computer?  Yes

What kind of suits can I rent?  3 mm shorties with long sleeves

What kind of fins can I rent?  Full foot fins, because when you dive from the boat or from the house reef it is very easy to go in and out of the water with no sand or stones.

Can I rent a torch for a night dive?  Yes

Are there cameras for rent?  The Sea & Sea MX 10 with several lenses and also digital cameras such as the Sea & Sea DX3000.

Packing

What kind of a suit do you recommend?  A 3-mm long suit.  Alot of divers are wearing shorties as well.

Boat Dives

Is there a guide on the boat?  Yes, there is always a dive guide in the water.

Are there towels on the boat?  Towels are not on the boat, but you can get beach towels from the hotel.

How long does the boat trip last?  2 tank dives and the maximum time is 4 hours.

Does the Dive Master give a briefing on the dive site?  Yes, the dive master loves to share his knowledge about the reefs with you

How many different boat dive sites are there?  There are up to 30 different dive sites by boat. Specific site availability depends on the season and prevailing weather conditions.

How big are the boats?  The average size is a 13m custom-built dive boat.

What is the capacity of the boat?  The boats don’t normally take more than 20.

Are there refreshments on the boat?  Water and fruit

Is there any shade on the boat?  Yes

Is there a toilet on the boat?  Not always

Special rinse tanks for cameras?  Yes

Shore Dives

How accessible is the shore diving?  One of the many excellent features of many resorts in Curacao is the exceptional accessibility of the house reef. Entry into the water is via the dive dock or from a beach.

What is 24 hour shore diving and diving freedom?  At Habitat, certified divers can get a full tank and go shore diving at any time of the day or night. The only limits are your own personal skill and physical abilities.

This unprecedented freedom is particularly enjoyed by our most avid divers and provides an exceptional experience as well as extraordinary value for money.

Can I store my equipment on the dive dock?  Most dive resorts have secured lockers right on the dive dock, so you don´t have to carry your equipment from your nearby room.

How many shore dive sites are there in Curacao?  We have about 35 different dive sites here in Curacao that you can reach from shore.  They are all marked with big stones that are painted red with a white stripe (the alpha flag)

Can I get tanks at the dive centre to go shore diving around Curacao?  Yes

Is it a long drive to other shore dive sites?  Drive times vary between 3 minutes to 1 hour away by car.

Do I need to rent a four-wheel drive vehicle to reach the sites?  No, most dive sites you can reach with a "normal" car.

Are there facilities on the beaches?  We have a lot of beaches with facilities, so you can rinse your equipment and take a shower, but we also have undeveloped beaches without facilities.

Night Dives

What kind of nightlife is it possible to see?  At night you have the possibility to see Lobster, a lot of Morene´s Crabs, Octopuses and many more night dwellers.

Do I have to arrange tanks when I like to make a night dive?  No, our air filling station is open 24 hours a day and you can grab a tank any time you like.

Diving Kids

Do you have small tanks and BCs?  Yes, we have 63" tanks (7L), especially for kids and also BCs.

At what age can a child begin certification?  10 years of age

Safety

Do you have Oxygen and first aid on the boats and dive shop?  Yes, no doubt about that.

Do you have a decompression chamber on the island?  Yes, in town we have a hospital with a decompression chamber.