12 Reasons Why Curacao Is a World-class Diving Destination

by Eden Smidt

RUSHKULT | Scuba Diving Specialist

7 Minute read
 

RUSHKULT ©copyright 2022. All rights reserved.

If you're a scuba diver, there's a good chance you've heard of Curaçao. This little island in the southern Caribbean has long been known as one of the world's top diving destinations, thanks to its stunning coral reefs, crystal-clear waters, and abundance of marine life. 

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced diver, shore diver or a boat diver, Curaçao is sure to impress! 

Here are 12 reasons why Curaçao should be at the top of your list for your next diving vacation.

6. There Are Over 70 Exciting Dive Sites in Curacao

Curaçao's fringing reefs are among the healthiest and most bio-diverse in the Caribbean, so it comes as no surprise that this Dutch Caribbean island is one of the World's Top 10 dive and holiday destinations. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned diver, there's a dive site for you.

Underwater, you'll come across a stunning variety of life and color, including sea turtles, rays, dolphins, sharks, eels, lionfish, and Curacao-only species of fish.

"There's one big reason why it's great to visit Curacao, and that is because of the island's numerous 70+ boat and shore diving sites," says Forbes Magazine. It will be challenging to find a bad one. 

The average sun hours per month is 250, and the average year-round temperature is 85F (29C). So if you get cold, sit in the sun for a while, and you will warm up soon.

Curacao's visibility is 70 feet on a typical day, but it reaches as much as 100 feet on exceptional days. Make sure to bring an underwater camera!

USA Today 10 Best wrote: "The Superior Producer is a cargo freighter sunk in 1977 from being overloaded with too much weight. It lies almost perfectly upright at 100 feet (30m) below the surface, where divers can explore its holds and bridge looking for sponges coral great barracudas tarpons schooling fish!"

With a single trip to Curacao, divers could check off several items on their wish lists. The conditions are calm. The visibility is good. The reefs are healthy. The entire island of Curacao is a shore diver's dream.

A sea turtle swims past you while you're diving. It's an incredible experience that you won't forget. Scuba Divers in Curaçao can often see turtles swimming near the shore or basking in the sun on the beach. These graceful creatures are a common sight in the waters around the island, and they are an important part of the local ecosystem.

Of the seven species of turtle that inhabit the seas all around the world, five of them can be found in Curaçao's seas. These species include the green turtle, hawksbill turtle, and loggerhead turtle. Loggerhead turtles are the most common type of turtle in Curaçao, and they can be found in both saltwater and freshwater habitats. These turtles are usually found near coral reefs, so they are a good species to look for when snorkeling or diving.

The island of Curacao is a popular destination for travelers who want to avoid the hassle and delays associated with hurricanes. It conveniently sits below the hurricane belt, so visitors can enjoy their trip without worrying about storms coming through the end of November!

One thing you'll notice when you go diving in popular places is that they get destroyed. The corals and the marine life disappear. The dive spots can sometimes be littered with trash. But the impressive corals and sea life in Curacao have flourished because of their less-frequented status. So there's no mass pollution every day like you find at popular dive sites around the world!

Curaçao is an island that has balanced work and leisure activities with development. The economy thrives off shipping, international trade, oil refining, or the Free Trade Zone (port of Willemstad), which makes up for most of their income through taxes collected from these businesses alone!

Curaçao has a high standard of living in the Caribbean. It ranks 46th in the world regarding GDP (PPP) per capita and 28th for nominal GDP per capita.

Travelers often regard Curaçao as one of the most inexpensive islands in the Caribbean. Prices usually go up during the high season (from December to April), but they go down in the summer and fall.

Is there a better place to scuba dive than Curaçao? With over 70 exciting sites, incredible visibility, and untouched beauty, it's hard to imagine anywhere that could compete. If you're looking for an inexpensive Caribbean getaway with the best diving in the world, this is your destination! Sign-up today for our Free course 'How to plan the ultimate dive vacation in Curacao.' Let us show you how we can make your next trip unforgettable.

With our free email course, and Scuba Guide packed with expert tips about:

• The best time to dive in Curacao
• A full overview of fish and coral species
• Island at a glance: culture, climate, and safety
• And much more!

Country Guide | Posted on March 10, 2022
 

In Playa Forti, in the western part of Curacao, boats 'float' around because of the exceptional visibility. Photo credit: Milesopedia.

The Dive Map shows a small selection of all dive sites available.  Photo credit: Byran Horne

1. The Blue Edge

A short swim from almost any beach on the Caribbean island of Curacao will bring you to one of the world's best scuba diving sites, the Blue Edge. It is the steep drop into the blue that surrounds the island. The Blue Edge is formed by ancient volcanic activity and sits at the edge of South America's plate. A dizzying swarm of life clings to the plunging wall and creates an ecosystem that rivals those of other popular destinations. Corals, sponges, and anemones carpet the bottom.

Diving the blue edge of Curacao transports you back to when diving was more exciting on so many of the destinations now overrun with divers.

The Blue Edge is visible at every beach like for example at Playa Porto Marie. Photo credit: Stephan van de Schootbrugge.

Scuba Diving Magazine: "Curacao's fringing reefs are a macro Eden and a treasure trove of tiny creatures such as yellow seahorses and Pedersen cleaner shrimp."

With our free email course, and Scuba Guide packed with expert tips about:

• The best time to dive in Curacao
• A full overview of fish and coral species
• Island at a glance: culture, climate, and safety
• And much more!