Diving Curaçao's Eastern End with Ocean Encounters
Text and Photos by Walt Stearns
The eastern end of Curaçao has always held an attraction to me. It's just a tad wilder, a bit less predictable, and more dramatic in character than the gentle slopes and coral gardens found farther to the west. Accessible only by boat, east-end sites are more likely to be washed by moving water. And though currents are rarely strong, they do influence coral growth, which is some of the healthiest in this region of the Caribbean.
Some have described Curaçao as a "drive and dive" island, but in reality, east-end diving is as much or more about boats than rental cars. Several of Curaçao’s premier resorts are located east of Willemstad, near the Curaçao Sea Aquarium complex. This is also the home of Ocean Encounters, a full-service dive operation with a fleet of boats that picks up divers at several waterfront resorts, and visits sites all along the eastern third of the island. Divers staying at these resorts can opt for a "stay here, dive here" experience, using airport shuttles and resort transportation for land-based activities, while storing gear at the resort's on-site dive shop and making daily trips to area sites by boat. So there is no need to pack wet gear into a rental vehicle, hike down the beach, or swim out to the dive site.
Boat dives are offered as two-tank morning dives that return by 1 pm, and as single-tank afternoon excursions often done at locations also suitable for snorkelers. Extended trips are offered on a regular basis, and these may involve longer runs to East Point and the island of Klein Curaçao, or trips westward to popular sites such as Mushroom Forest. Dive profiles on Curaçao’s East can run the gamut from shallow reefs in calm water to current-powered drifts along steep walls. Boat rides can be as short as five minutes, or up to an hour to reach the most distant sites.
There are also a number of local shore dives within easy range of the east end resorts, and the Ocean Encounters shops provide tanks and support for house reef diving or more distant excursions. From home base at the resort, divers could devote a day to exploring sites to the west coast with a rental car or tour service.
Ocean Encounters is headquartered on LionsDive Beach Resort property and also runs satellite facilities on the grounds of Sunscape Curaçao Resort, Spa & Casino. Of the various resort properties between Willemstad and the island's eastern end, these two are best suited for divers due to them being served by Ocean Encounters. Being the largest dive operator on the island, they provide a full range of products and services. The well-stocked retail center includes a large selection of current model rental equipment, a photo center, classrooms and ample gear storage facilities with private, secure gear lockers.
The company also operates the largest fleet of dive boats on the island. This includes the Curaçao Galaxy (Pro 48), the Curaçao Phoenix (46-foot Newton), Curaçao Princess (42-foot Michael Fitz), the Curaçao Treasure (46-foot custom) and the Curaçao Star (38-foot Sea Hawk). All boats are equipped with marine heads, large dive platforms with ladders, camera tables and rinse tanks. Freshwater showers, cold drinking water and juices are provided, and all boats carry a full complement of electronics, first aid supplies and oxygen. The shop also offers drop-off dive service on sites in front of LionsDive Beach Resort and the Sea Aquarium with their smaller boat, Sharky. Boats leave the dock daily around 9 am for two-tank morning excursions that focus on sites along Curaçao’s eastern quarter, most of which are within the Curaçao Underwater Marine Park. Afternoons are devoted to single-tank trips, with a frequent emphasis on shallower sites that are also suitable for snorkelers.
When weather and sea conditions are favorable, the shop will also run special day trips to Klein Curaçao or around to the islands normally rough windward side to experience some of Curaçao's most exciting diving. These extended trips include lunch and return to port between 3 and 4 pm. All dives are guided; buddy pairs are usually free to explore on their own but are expected to remain within a reasonable range of the boat. Shore dives on the house reef in front of LionsDive are available 24 / 7. The one standing rule for both shore and boat dives overseen by Ocean Encounters is that solo diving is not prohibited.
LionsDive Beach Resort is also adjacent to the Sea Aquarium and Dolphin Academy. The lushly-landscaped resort grounds include 138 rooms, suites, and self-contained apartments, along with a range of on-site amenities that include a full-service day spa, health club, boutique and three freshwater pools—including a 50-meter infinity pool. A trio of restaurants are located within the resort; a poolside pizzeria provides casual mid-day dining, Nemo's serves upscale dinners, and Hemingway's beachside restaurant and bar serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and is one of the island's favorite post-dive watering holes.
Sunscape Curaçao Resort, Spa & Casino is an all-inclusive resort that sits on a private beach at the upper end of the Marine Park, about a half mile northeast of the Sea Aquarium. The Sunscape complex includes six restaurants, six bars and four freshwater pools, all overlooking a beach with a sheltered lagoon. As is usual with all-inclusive resorts, food, libations, activities and entertainment are all part of the package. There is an indoor fitness center, day spa, children club, and an assortment of outdoor recreational activities. Ocean Encounters operates a satellite shop on the premises, providing equipment for snorkeling and shore diving, as well as complementary boat transfers to their main facility.
We have partnered with Ocean Encounters to create special stay-and-dive packages with both LionsDive and Sunscape Curaçao. To learn more and plan your own Curaçao diving adventure, give us a call at 800-330-6611 or send a note to sales@caradonna.com.