The island of Curaçao rewards divers with a wealth of underwater adventures and some of the most colorful coral reefs in the Caribbean. And the best way to experience the full spectrum of the island diving diversity is with Ocean Encounters. This full-service dive center rose to prominence under the ownership and management of the Ambrosi family, who grew Ocean Encounters into Curaçao's premier scuba and snorkeling operator and training facility.
In 2018, long-time employee Jeremiah Peek assumed ownership of Ocean Encounters from the family, having risen through the operation's ranks from instructor to boat captain and eventually managing director of the operation. The transition was smooth, thanks to Jeremiah's familiarity with every aspect of the operation and his personal relationship with the core group of long-time employees. Today, Ocean Encounters continues to deliver the same five-star service and first-class diving experiences that earn it top marks from customers, and online review comments such as “the best dive shop in Curaçao”.
Jeremiah's passion for diving was forged during his work with a foreign aid program in Egypt when membership in a local dive club eventually escalated into an instructor rating and a career change. “After 8 years exploring the waters of the Red Sea, my Dutch girlfriend and I moved to Curaçao in 2006 to pursue a life without shoes,” he recalls. “The first dive center I visited to apply for work was Ocean Encounters. When I first stepped foot on the facility, I was blown away by how professionally it was run, and the quality and condition of the beautifully maintained fleet of custom dive boats. I immediately knew that this was the place for me, and dreamt one day to make it mine. Eleven years later, the dream became a reality.”
Ocean Encounters is headquartered at the Lions Dive Beach Resort and has an additional waterfront facility at the Sunscape Curaçao Resort, Spa & Casino. Both resorts are located on the island's east-central coast, fronting the islands best beaches and providing easy dock-to-reef access to prime dive sites. Ocean Encounters' two well-stocked retail centers include a large selection of current model rental equipment, a photo center, classrooms and ample gear storage facilities with private, secure gear lockers. Daily one and two-tank excursions are provided by the island's largest and most modern fleet of twin-engine dives boats. Both Lions Dive and Sunscape dive centers also offer shore diving.
One of the features that sets Ocean Encounters apart from other Curaçao dive operators is the variety of underwater experiences offered. In addition to daily dive trips to a wide range of sites on the island's eastern and central coasts, there are special excursions such as trips to the west to visit the famous site known as Mushroom Forest and the Blue Room grotto. Once a week, the shop offers all-day trips to the uninhabited island of Klein Curaçao, known for its unspoiled reefs and abundant marine life, including turtles, rays, and sharks. Other special dives include visits to a coral restoration site, lionfish control dives, night dives and fluorescent night dives. One of the operation's most exciting underwater adventures is the Open Water Dolphin Dive, where dives can interact with these marine mammals at a site known as Shipwreck Point.
We have created special stay-and-dive packages with Ocean Encounters and both Lions Dive and Sunscape Resort. Lions Dive is a 4-star resort set on a palm tree-lined private beach overlooking Curaçao’s underwater marine park. The resort includes 4 bar-restaurants, a 50-meter swimming pool and the Body Beach Wellness Club. Accommodation includes standard rooms, 2-bedroom apartments, suites and a penthouse. Sunscape Curaçao is an all-inclusive vacation resort located on a private beach. There is an excellent house reef that showcases restored Elkhorn and Staghorn corals and the Curaçao Underwater Park. Food, drinks, and most activities are included in the package price.
To learn more, contact us at 800-330-6611 or send a note to sales@caradonna.com.
