The beautiful island of Curaçao is where the best Caribbean scuba diving dreams are brought to life.
With more than 70 spectacular dive spots offering great visibility, unlimited shore diving, and a wide range of PADI-certified diving hotels and resorts – Curaçao transcends any diving getaway you’ve had before.
Located in the southern Caribbean Sea, the island is conveniently located outside of the hurricane belt, providing perfect diving weather with an average water temperature of 27°C (81°F) throughout the year.
Curaçao is home to some of the most biodiverse coral reefs in the Caribbean, and boasts an incredibly healthy marine ecosytem, with up to 70 per cent of all Caribbean coral species found around the island’s shores.
The vibrant reefs are inhabited by more than 400 different species of aquatic life, including spiny lobsters, parrotfish, angelfish, turtles, scorpionfish, moray eels, anemones, octopuses, spider crabs, and more.
These creatures are often spotted on some of the island’s most popular diving spots, many of which are easily accessible from shore, while a handful are best explored by boat.
With 70 named dive sites around Curaçao to choose from, there are plenty of options, but three of the best ‘must dive’ sites include Watamula, Superior Producer, and Paradise.
Watamula, named after the Dutch word watermolen (water mill) due to the unpredictable nature of the currents at this location, has a maximum depth of 30m (100ft), and is usually done as a drift dive from a boat. The reef is teeming with turtles, schooling fish, reef fish, and spectacular, pristine coral formations.
Sometimes, larger pelagic species such as hammerhead sharks, manta rays and dolphins are spotted nearby – even the occasional whale shark! Watamula is often deemed the best dive spot on Curaçao.
The Superior Producer – regularly voted as one of the best wrecks in the Caribbean – is located not far from Curaçao’s main harbour and accessible either by boat, or an easy swim from shore. Sunk in 1977 as she left port, overladen with goods bound for Venezuela, the 50m (165ft)-long Superior Producer now lies at a depth of 30m (100ft), perfect for divers with an advanced open water certification.
The cargo holds are wide open, making for easy and atmospheric swim-through, and much of the intact hull and superstructure is encrusted with decades of coral growth.
Read: History of the Superior Producer by Bryan Horne
Paradise is a beautiful dive site, famous for its large and extensive colonies of hard corals, interspersed with brightly-coloured sponges. The site is home to larger critters such as barracuda, turtles and green moray eels, and on calm days, divers can visit a small cave filled with glassfish and lobsters.
Paradise is a boat dive with a maximum depth of 36m (120ft), but the sloping reef makes it perfect for divers of all skill levels.
Curaçao – more than just scuba diving
Aside from the whirlwind adventures found under the sea, Curaçao also offers an experience equally as interesting ashore. The island is home to over 35 beaches, a distinct blend of European and Caribbean culture, and a nearly endless list of topside activities to enjoy.
The island is steeped in history, with old colonial forts providing an at times dramatic backdrop to the colourful, modern Curaçao, and outside of the developed areas there is some staggering natural beauty to be discovered.
Friendly locals, tasty dishes, and vibrant colourful views can be found around every corner of the island, creating an indescribable energy that’s better felt than explained.
Without a doubt, Curaçao has made a name for itself as one of the best diving destinations in the Caribbean, and one of the most unique island getaways you could hope to find.
The only thing left to do is to plan your visit and dive right in.
