9 replies to this topic

[Greg@ihpil]

Hi SD members, Well,Curacao turned out to be Nice.Ocean Encounters is a GREAT Dive shop. Very nice boats & Dm's.Lion fish GALORE. You think we saw alot in GCM...The DM killed at least 12 a dive.Shore diving is easy to get to.Dive sites that were visited..Klein Curacao East Pt.,Tugboat,Sandy's Reef,Mushroom forest,Beacon Pt.,Small Wall,Ship wreck Pt.Sunset waters & The Superior wreck. Unfortunately, the rain followed me there. Rained off & on during am hrs .I am now over 100 life time dives.Did Nitrox again...great stuff,which was +$10.00 per tank.The water temp was in the mid 80's most of the time, even at 100'.
Lion's Dive Resort. Food Service was VERY SLOW!!!! You need to order your check when you receive your meal.Brkfast was included with the stay..everything else is pay. We ended up going across the bay.a very short walk to Augustino's.The prices and the service were Much better.The one thing I will worn anybody is the sand flies were terrible,the no see'ums..They're worse than mosquito bites. Internet $12.00 4/24 hrs--,$30.00 for 3 day's or $60.00 for the week.The room's were nice & kept clean, room safe is $1.50 per day.. Very Dutch ...Ltd Americans.The staff understood English

My spouse came with on this trip. She had a good time inspite of being a non diver.I think she would have enjoyed meeting everyone from SD on the GCM trip.
--
Greg Geuss
Take care,Dive Safe

Edited by Greg@ihpil, 02 December 2011 - 03:58 PM.

[scubaski]

Greg, Nice trip report. How invasive are the Lionfish you ask, I was there last January did 15 dives and didn't see 1 Lionfish. Ocean Encounters is the Go To dive op on Curacao. Loins Beach resort very nice set up. Walking along the boardwalk towards Williamstead you will come across many beach clubs/dinner spots and evening entertainment venues. LSD heading there in April, I may join them.

[scubaski]

It may have been. Lions Beach Resort does cater to the Dutch and Dutch women do sunbath topless!!!! a very liberal society. I always had fun in Holland. Ah the good olde days before the Euro and European Union.

[uwfan]

I did have a little culture shock over that Dutch way, just tried to ignore it. Greg your experience was much the same as mine in 2008. My sister and I went across to Augustino's for practically every meal - she liked the spagetti and had it every night!

[ScubaSis]

So how does Curaçao compare to Bonaire?? As far as the diving especially??

[WreckWench]

Most people say diving is better in Bonaire which is partially why its more expensive than Curacao. The entire island of Bonaire is a marine park whereas only part of Curacao is a marine park.

[scubaski]

So how does Curaçao compare to Bonaire?? As far as the diving especially??

IMO. Curacao offers more varied diving options ie: Drift, walls, wrecks,# shore diving sites, lots of the same fish. Bonaire has a larger marine park, more shore diving sites within smaller area. The amount of flora and fauna in Bonaire may excede Curacao, however Bonaire is basically all 30* slope diving, for me kinda boring. I asked the dive master to bring us to a wall one dive. We droped in on a rock the size of a highway bill board!!!

Hands down Curacao offers more topside ops.

Ss

[Greg@ihpil]

Heidi,Thank's for the confirmation.Augutino's was more bang for the $$.And the food was GREAT.Sissy,I can't compare as I've never been to Bonaire.Have to use Sk'is & the Wench's thought's.
As for the European ambiance,not a big deal...Kay sura sura

Personally, IMO I thought the variety WAS good at Curacao. Great Walls,Wrecks and Reefs.As Kamala point's out ,the $$ is better in Curcao.The US $ doesn't suffer as in the other countries with the Euro.Ocean Encounters is a great shop.They have 2. 1 by Lion's & the other is further West near Breeze's.

The Shore:diver: Diving was very accessable & convienant in the Resort. You just had to watch out for the Skidoo's ,when you surfaced.I think water temp's stay's pretty consistent that far south.I wore a 3/2 mm and was fine.

[ScubaSis]

Thank Y'all for the information. I'm glad you had a good time Greg!! I can't wait to get back in the water!!