Curacao island Travel and Diving (protocols and restrictions + 10 great dive sites)

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Curacao is part of the Lesser Antilles in the Dutch Caribbean region, it covers 171 square miles and has a population of around 200,000 people.

Curacao is open for international visitors, but their are restrictions and protocols to follow in place (Curfew at night,...), read the latest updates: https://www.curacao.com/en/article/travel-updates

Curacao offers resorts, hotels, lodges, guesthouses, apartments and villas as accommodations to visitors, check availability and prices here and save up to 60% on your stay.

The best time to travel Curacao is from mid-February to May, The most rain can be expected from October to December, sometimes the rain continues until mid-February.

Hurricane season is from June until November, and peaks from August until October, but just like Aruba & Bonaire, Curacao is not often affected.

Average temperatures:

MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min (°C)242425252626262626262625
Max (°C)282930303131313131313029
Min (°F)757577777979797979797977
Max (°F)828486868888888888888684

Average precipitation:

MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Prec.(mm)4525142020194042498497100555
Prec.(in)1.810.60.80.80.71.61.71.93.33.83.921.9
Days9533236557101270

Average water temperatures:

MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Temp (°C)272626272728282829292827
Temp (°F)817979818182828284848281


Curacao island offers healthy Coral reefs, Wall- & wreck diving.

There are plenty of Curacao dive shops: 22 PADI dive shops, SSI, NAUI & CMAS are also available.

Curacao dive sites:

Watamula











Watamula is, by many, considered the best dive in Curacao.

2 currents meet at this site and bring a lot of marine life to this 20 to 120 ft to this drift dive.

Soft & Hard Corals and Gorgonian Sea fans cover the reef. 

Trigger fish, Chubbs, Turtles, Groupers & Lobster, are living here, on the sand bottom you might spot Rays.


MV Superior Producer








This 200 ft long cargo ship sunk in 1977 and lies at a depth of 100 ft.

You can penetrate the cargo holds and dive trough the interior of the ship, the wheelhouse , at 80 ft is one of the highlights of this site.

Orange Cup Corals and Anemones attract many reef fish and invertebrates. Barracudas can be seen hunting around the wreck.

It lies very close to the cruise terminal and diving is not allowed when ships are docked here.


Eastpoint










Amazing Coral formations formed a bridge where a large school of Tarpons live.

Lots of Gorgonian fans cover this dive site,, Hard Corals & Sponges also grow here.

Because of the currents Reef Sharks, Eagle Rays and Barracudas are often seen at Eastpoint.


Beacon Point
















This spectacular wall, and amazing Pillar Coral formations, which are some of the largest in the Western Atlantic are at a depth from 40 to 120 ft.

Because of the currents, Large Jacks, Groupers, and Barracudas come here to hunt smaller fish. Turtles are a regular sighting at Beacon Point.

This site is recommended for experienced or advanced divers due to the depth and frequent currents.


Saba Tugboat















At a depth of only 40 ft, this wreck is an attraction for all level divers and snorkelers alike.

Blue Chromis, Scorpion fish, and seahorses made this their home.

Next to the wreck is a wall with amazing Sponges, Corals Moray Eels, Parrot- & Doctor fish, also large schools of Tarpon & some pelagic fish can be observed here.


Director's bay













Stunning Coral formations and marine life make this shore dive a popular site that is known for it's macrofauna.
This reef formed on a shark fence, that is overgrown with Sea Fans, Sponges and Soft Coral.
Flounders, Eels, Octopus, Frog fish & Seahorses reside on this fantastic reef.


Mushroom forest















Hard corals that have grown in such way that they resemble Mushrooms at a depth between 20 and 120 ft.
Giant Brain corals, Flower corals, Staghorn Corals & Boulder Coral  are just some of the species at Mushroom forest.
Turtles, Parrot fish, Yellow tail Snapper, Eels, Moray Eels, Trunk fish and many more species are to be observed here.


Klein Curacao













Klein Curacao is a little (Klein in dutch) island, it is actually a volcanic rock, about an hour and a half boat ride of the Southeast coast. It is well worth the ride, Clear water, stunning Coral formations and an incredible variety of marine life await the divers here. 
Sunfish, Hammerhead Sharks, and Turtles can be seen at Klein Curacao.


Paradise


















This reef with a maximum depth of 120 ft offers a wide variety of Hard Coral Colonies and colorful sponges.
It is the home to Lobster, Barracudas and Green Moray Eels.
On calm days you can visit a small cave, home to many Sea Turtles, Glassy Sweepers, Crabs & many Lobsters.


Booby trap














When it comes to sponges, Booby trap is the spot to visit.
The reef start around 40 ft and reaches a maximum of 120 ft.
Rope Sponge, Common Sponges, Branching Tube Sponges, and the Elephant Ear Sponges are some of the varieties that can be identified here.
Nurse Sharks and Rays are often seen at this amazing sloping reef.

 Read about diving in:


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