Page 276 - The Dutch Caribbean Isles

Curacao’s Best Dive Sites

B arracuda Point - This popular reef dive is covered in dense cor- marine species that include groupers, barracuda, and jacks. Take
als that include massive boulder corals and lovely gorgonians. some time, though, to explore the largest pillar coral formation in

And in addition to the tiny creatures living in the reef, you will en- all of the Caribbean Sea. This site can be accessed by boat and is

counter a variety of fish, including jacks and the famous barracudas appropriate for all levels of divers.

that make it a routine of following divers as they drift along explor-
ing the scenery in this enchanting place. You may even encounter a
lack Rock - Farthest East dive site with a mooring 5 miles before
Bsea turtle or two. The average depth at this site reaches 26 meters, east point. Mooring is at 27-ft and the slope drops to 180+ ft.

and the site is good to dive in all year round. Intermediate divers Very large star and boulder coral. Staghorn and elkhorn coral are

will do well here and the site is also easily accessed by boat. abundant in the shallows, and there is a better chance of seeing

B lue Bay Wall - After you entered the bay from the beach at the large green morays, eagle rays, sharks, turtles (bigger stuff ). 20% of
Blue Bay Resort, there is a little surface swim before arriving the East coast of Curacao is owned by one family. The family has yet
to develop the area; therefore, there are no hotels, roads, beaches,

at the Blue Wall. Start swimming to the right. A very nice dive site houses, or people for that matter. This means that the coral forma-

with healthy soft and hard corals grow almost right from the cliffs. tions are extremely healthy, and are exactly as nature intended it.

On the first part of the dive it\’s nice to go a little bit deeper then D iector’s Bay - Over here you can make two beautiful dives. A
18m /60ft and on your way back stay nice a shallow where there is very good site for lessons also since the first few meters are
still so much to see. A wall dive to 132 feet. The wall dive is acces-

sible only by boat. The wall is lush with coral, and there is a better only white sand. About 10 meters from the beach the drop off

chance of seeing larger fish and big schools along the wall. One of begins. If you make the dive to the left side of Director’s Bay you

Curacao’s only true walls, coupled with nutrient rich currents, pro- will find a beautiful wall, overgrown with corals and sponges in a

vides a spectacular show as you cruise along the pristine reef. variety of colors. When you make the dive to the right side of Direc-

B eacon Point - The depth reaches around 30 meters, and the site tor’s Bay you will see lots of soft corals. There is the little tugboat,
features some unforgettable drop-offs, as well as a variety of where lots of fish live in and around. The boat itself is beautifully
encrusted.