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Dive Review of Habitat Curacao in
Curaçao

Habitat Curacao, Sep, 2002,

by William and Frances Ungerman, CA, United States of America (Sr. Contributor Sr. Contributor 24 reports with 2 Helpful votes). Report 230.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 5 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 4 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 3 stars Shore Diving 3 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 3 stars
Comments Habitat Curacao is a great place about thirty minutes west of Hato airport. It sits by itself on a little penisula. The house reef is as good a dive spot as most on the island. The facility is built on a cliff with the dive operation situated below. Lots of stairs to climb. Weather hot and oppressive in September but the constantly blowing trade winds made it bearable. Shore diving is available 24 hours a day. Get you tanks and go with your rental vehicle. Be advised that shore diving is NOT as easy and convenient as in Bonaire. Sites are further away and apart, and the reef further. Access and entries are more difficult for the most part and some sites are fee charging.

The on-site "Oceans" bar and restaurant is a first class operation. The food is excellent and the menu is large. Service is courteous and responsive, and it's a good thing too because there is not much else around for miles if you don't like it. Breakfast is included in most packages. The dive operation is okay. "Easy Divers" has three or four boats but they seem reluctant to use more than one no matter how many divers there are. On a couple days we had twenty-four divers on a boat and it was all you could do to shuffle around and moo. We wanted to dive the Superior Producer but got nothing but excuses about why they could't make the run East until I requested they book us with an operation that would take us. Miracle: We went the next day. Divemaster "Carlos" was a riot. A real comedian and good man. Can't say as much about "Christian" and "Angela," two facisistic environmental guardians of sand bottoms, coral rubble and rusting decking.

Sites not to miss are Mushroom Forrest, the Superior Producer, and Seldom. All sites dived were good to excellent and, I hate to have to say this, but I have been to both and to my mind, Curacao has the edge on Bonaire for quality of diving. Habitat has lockers (bring a small lock). Tank fills were at or a bit less than 3000 psi. No gloves allowed but this appears to be a house dictum, not a government fiat. There is no need to rent a car unless you want to shore dive, then mandatory. Do so by using an internet source like Cheap Tickets or Priceline to save money. Not much to see on this desert island except thorn bushes and goats along the roads. Wilemstad is worth a days excursion and Habitat runs a shuttle in three times a day.

The diving was as good as anything we've seen in the Caribbean. Habitat Curacao, on balance, is a meritorious property and all in all, the trip was wonderful.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 501-1000 dives
Where else diving Palau, Papua New Guinea, Truk, Yap, Fiji, Cozumel, Grand Turk, Sea of Cortez, Provedenciales, USVI, Barbados, Solomon Islands, St. Lucia, California, Bonaire, Bahamas (Walker's Cay, New Providence, Bimini), Florida, Aruba....
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, windy Seas calm, choppy, surge, currents, noCurrents
Water Temp 82-86°F / 28-30°C Wetsuit Thickness 1
Water Visibility 70-100 Ft/ 21-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Back on board with 500 PSI.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles None Whales None
Corals 3 stars Tropical Fish 3 stars
Small Critters 3 stars Large Fish 1 stars
Large Pelagics 1 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 3 stars Boat Facilities 3 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 3 stars Shore Facilities 4 stars
UW Photo Comments No particular accomodations for the photographer other than a small rinse bucket that overflowed with cameras, strobes and video gear.
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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