Page 260 - The Dutch Caribbean Isles

he climate on Curaçao is dry, averaging home to a rainbow of marine life. The island’s (Playa Kalki), where a mini-wall reaching
volcanic beginnings are evident in massive coral 18 meters/ 60 feet lies only a few minutes
T about 55 cm of rainfall a year, which mainly formations extending into the depths with deep- swim from shore. Another dive high on
water fish patrolling the plunging walls. You the list of favorites is The Valley (Porto
falls between October and February, making it should not be surprised to see dolphins playing, Marie). The “valley” is actually the open
an ideal holiday and diving destination that of- turtles sunning, or pilot whales migrating. The sand area that runs between two parallel
fers plenty of sunshine. Located below the hurri- beaches on the south side contain many popular reefs. An easy shore dive, the first reef is
cane belt, Curaçao does not get affected much in diving spots. An unusual feature of Curaçao div- at 15 meters/50 feet deep, and the second
hurricane season, but the constant trade winds ing is that the sea floor drops off steeply within a starts at 18 meters/60 feet. The typical
keep the temperatures on the island around a few hundred feet of the shore, and the reef can 30-metre/100-foot visibility certainly helps
comfortable 26-30 degrees Celsius. Water tem- easily be reached without a boat. This drop-off is you enjoy your sightings of nurse sharks,
peratures are warm and vary slightly between 27 locally known as the “blue edge.” Strong currents turtles, lobsters and abundant coral. The
and 29 degrees Celsius. A 3mm wetsuit is usually and lack of beaches make the rocky northern reefs have suffered from over fishing in the
sufficient. Curaçao’s Hato International Airport coast dangerous for diving, but experienced past, so are depleted compared to some of
has excellent connections to the US, Europe divers sometimes dive there from boats when the other Caribbean islands and commonly
(the Netherlands and Spain), and the other of conditions permit. The southern coast is very dif- only small fish are found. However, Curaçao
the ABC islands. The best way to get around the ferent and offers remarkably calm waters. Underwater Park promotes conservation
island is to rent a car or take a taxi. Many of the along its 12 mile (19km) reef with coral
resorts and dive operations offer free pick-ups, C uracao has more than 100 identified beds, walls and shallow wrecks. Entrance
including to cruise-ship guests. dive sites dive sites to choose from and into the marine park costs US $10-15, which
most are accessible as shore dives. Manta goes towards the upkeep of the park. One
Diving in Curaçao is unique for many reasons; rays, stingrays, eagle rays, turtles, octopi of the islands best dive sites is the wreck
it is set apart from other Caribbean destina- and even seahorses all frequent Curacao’s of the Superior Producer, a seventy-meters
tions by it’s diversity and its density of sea life, reefs and wrecks, along with numerous long boat that has been resting on the sea-
its many underwater landscapes, and it’s reef other species of reef fish. Among the more floor for the past thirty years.
proximity to shore. Curaçao’s reefs surround the popular dive sites is Alice in Wonderland
island attaching to the shore like a narrow fringe.
These beautiful gardens of delicate corals are