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Among the many dive spots which make Curacao such a popular dive destination is Banda Abao, stretching along the southwest coast from the lighthouse to Kaap St. Marie. Try a day trip to Klein Curacao, a volcanic island home to an old lighthouse and shacks used by visiting fishermen. There are dive sites for different levels of experience. From the beaches you can often see schools of dolphins and whales. Ask about trips at your hotel.

Dive Shops & Operators
Curacao's area code is 599-9

All West Apartments & Diving/Ocean Encounters West
Tel: 864-0102; 461-2310; 560-3319
Address: Westpunt Beach
http://www.allwestcuracao.com

Located at the western most point of Curacao in a small fishing village. This PADI organization offers both day and night dives with a house reef. Multilingual with instruction offered in Dutch, English, German, Papiamento and Spanish. Free wireless internet service also available.

Offers diving for both divers and non-divers from age 12 up. Non-divers will be given a thirty minute PADI approved course before diving with a certified instructor. For the certified individual, this organization allows you to dive the fantastic Sea Aquarium House Reef, considered to be one of the most beautiful in Curacao.

Atlantis Diving offers recreational diving for individuals age 10 and up. The experienced diver is presented with a wide range of diving options. Being a one of the founding members of the Reef Care Foundation they also have an educational edge. members of PADI, SSI and TDI. Instruction available in English, Dutch, German, Papiamento and Spanish.

This dive school is located right on the premises of the Curacao Marriott Beach Resort and Emerald Casino. They offer daily trips via their custom designed boat "the Explorador".

Considered a 5-star PADI organization. Located on the Hilton premises. They offer all PADI certification courses from the resort starter level to dive master. Full rental department available for all your diving needs. Their dive boat has refreshments and even a double ladder for essential easy entry and exit from the water. Fresh water showers also on board.

A 5-star PADI Dive Center located right on the beach. PADI certified instructors are "known for their safe and solid way of teaching." Open 365 days a year with a dive shop for all your needs. Surrounded by a nice array of restaurants and even a playground.

Located on the grounds of the Trupial Inn & Casino, this IDD/NAUI/PADI organization offers a wide variety of options from the beginner "Try Scuba" course to the "Specialty Course" which includes: Navigation, underwater photography, night diving, wreck diving, enriched air nitrox diver, search & recovery, deep diver (39 meter), rescue diver and training assistant.

Offering a wide range of PADI scuba diving courses as well as refresher courses and instruction for the non-diver. This organization has ongoing training up to the PADI instructor course to become a dive master. English, Dutch, papiamento and Spanish instruction available.

This establishment was the winner of the PADI National Geographic Dive Center Award in 2004. Having a high level of return divers they offer "world class excellence in diving". Certified divers are able to dive 24 hours per day with filled tanks available both day and night.. Their commitment to the ecology of the reefs offers an educational opportunity as well as preservation of the natural ecosystem. They also offer over 35 different dive sites within an hour's boat ride. Instructors are proficient in English, German, Spanish and Portuguese. Air-conditioned dive classroom offers audio-visuals and a dive library.

Operates on the only double reef system on Curacao as their house reef. Steep underwater walls entice even the most seasoned diver. Also offers courses for the non-experienced divers. PADI certified and offers instruction in English, Dutch, German and Spanish.

Watch the dive instruction video in the comfort of your own room then take your first lesson in the safe and calm water of the sea swimming pool then move on to Caracas Bay. Only several minutes away by boat, dive the Curacao Marine Park. The Boston Whaler boat used takes only 2 to 4 divers so your experience is intimate and the underwater video and photography they offer makes your trip unforgettable.

Family owned and run 5 star PADI National Geographic Dive Center as well as an INTD Technical Dive Center. Located directly at the Lions Dive Beach Resort as well as the additional locations of Breezes Superclubs, Toucan Diving at Kontiki Beach, and Ocean Encounters West at Playa Kalki. Courses available are from beginning non-diver to dive instructor. Having a fleet of 5 boats allows for large to small parties or individual instruction.

A PADI/IDD dive center with a diverse selection of course such as : Padi Discover Scuba Diving, Padi Open Water, Padi Advanced Course, Emergency First Response, Padi Rescue and Padi Dive Master. They also participate with Curacao Dive Operators Association monthly reef clean-up. The dive shop offers equipment for sale or rental. Instruction languages offered in English, Dutch, French, German and Spanish.

A PADI Resort Dive Operation located "in the heart of Curacao's best dive sites." Customer service and service is their priority. They take pride in taking care of loading all the equipment and setting it up and cleaning it after your dive. Dive schedules are flexible according to your needs. Complimentary refreshments on board.

Their headquarters are located at the beach at Pierbaai, Marie Pampoen. Take along friends on their Dive Bus where they take you shore diving so the non-diver friends can relax on the beach. For the diver they offer a PADI Open Water Course and a PADI Advanced Open Water Course with course levels from Discover Scuba Diving to Dive Master. Also offers specialty areas. Back at headquarters there's a restaurant on site for a delicious snack and cold beer after your dive.

A wide range of PADI certified courses offered such as the beginner Discover Scuba Diving, Open Water, Advanced and Specialty Diving, Emergency First Response (both for divers and non-divers), Rescue Diver and Dive Master. Their dive shop offers everything from snorkeling to scuba gear. Toucan Diving is part of Ocean Encounters Curacao.

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Curacao Diving Guides available through Amazon.com:

1.		The Dive Sites of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao : Comprehensive Coverage of Diving and Snorkeling from McGraw-Hill Customer Review: The book has lots of information on the islands themselves and explains all reef and some wreck dives. However 95% of the dive sites are rated as 4 stars and the remaining 5% are rated 3 stars, so you can't tell which ones are the best dives.	Customer Rating: 3.0 / 5.0 Click here for more information

2.		Dive Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao (Interlink Dive Guide) from Interlink Price: $16.00 Customer Review: Very disappointed! Practically identical guidebook (from Contemporary Books) published in 2000. I was generally happy with the initial release, as it was informative (though dated @ time of review). However, the Author has not updated any of the dive site information since his initial review, as... more info	Customer Rating: 1.0 / 5.0 Click here for more information

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