Curacao

Wife and I are planning a trip to Curacao in August. We will be staying at
the Marriot resort there since it's free (hotel points) for a week. There
is apparently a dive shop on site that has a PADI 5 Star rating....does
anyone know anything about it (haven't been able to find the name but I
haven't called yet either)? Also how is the diving/vis in August?

Curaçao is a big oil depot...is it Shell? Not sure...but the place is quite
"industrial"...often stop there briefly on my way to Bon Air.

Enjoy!

Buhdda wrote:

> Wife and I are planning a trip to Curacao in August. We will be staying at
> the Marriot resort there since it's free (hotel points) for a week. There
> is apparently a dive shop on site that has a PADI 5 Star rating....does
> anyone know anything about it (haven't been able to find the name but I
> haven't called yet either)? Also how is the diving/vis in August?

On May 24, 4:23*am, Daniel Kessler <dkess...@pop.cybernex.net> wrote:
> Curaçao is a big oil depot...is it Shell? *Not sure...but the place isquite
> "industrial"...often stop there briefly on my way to Bon Air.
>
> Enjoy!

Often?

> > I recall the time of my last visit to Bon Aire...the plane first stoppedat Aruba
> > (anothing gambling den although Curaçao is more "industrial").
>
> Woah, that was a long trip Daniel....We have great air options now
> days. CO has 3 flights on weekends, Delta and of course AA.

Buhdda wrote:
> Wife and I are planning a trip to Curacao in August. We will be staying at
> the Marriot resort there since it's free (hotel points) for a week. There
> is apparently a dive shop on site that has a PADI 5 Star rating....does
> anyone know anything about it (haven't been able to find the name but I
> haven't called yet either)? Also how is the diving/vis in August?
>
>

My wife and I both enjoyed the Marriott. The dive shop and charter
operation (Caribbean Sea Sports, IIRC) are excellent for AOW-level
divers. They sell nitrox if you're certified for it. The dives,
depths, and times are designed to keep you from getting bent whether you
pay attention or not. The underwater scenery and life are great. The
crews were competent, helpful without being intrusive if you knew what
you were doing (e.g., they'd carry gear and tanks but not touch your
gear after you set it up), and friendly.

Unfortunately the Superior Producer dive was on our anniversary, so I
missed it.

If you're somewhat more advanced than AOW or have lots of dives under
your weight belt, consider taking off on your own or finding a
more-advanced dive charter. The diving right off the hotel beach is great.

Can't help with specific information about August. We went in April.
Visibility was 100'+ every day I dove (though at one of two sites on one
day it was probably "only" 75-80').

Have fun...

--
John Eells

On May 23, 8:11 am, "Buhdda" <alok.kha...@comcast.net> wrote:
> Wife and I are planning a trip to Curacao in August. We will be staying at
> the Marriot resort there since it's free (hotel points) for a week. There
> is apparently a dive shop on site that has a PADI 5 Star rating....does
> anyone know anything about it (haven't been able to find the name but I
> haven't called yet either)? Also how is the diving/vis in August?

The diving should be fine. I had lunch once at the Marriot. It smelled
like oil badly due to the wind direction. We were guests at nearby
Floris Suites a few times. Have a great time.

Ann Phelan
www.bonairecaribbean.com