Snorkeling, accessible from the beach or book an excursion?

[celticd1]

We will be stopping in Curacao on our Miracle cruise in Janauary 2012. Can anyone recommend a good snorkeling excursion or beach that has access to some good snorkeling?

 

Any other info you have to share is also welcome! :)

 

 

 

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[curacao]

We will be stopping in Curacao on our Miracle cruise in Janauary 2012. Can anyone recommend a good snorkeling excursion or beach that has access to some good snorkeling?

 

Any other info you have to share is also welcome! :)

 

 

 

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diving and snorkeling is best from the beach. Saves $$$$ too. Most beaches have great snorkeling. There is The Dive Bus, Hooks Hut, Porto Marie, Holiday Beach, Playa Lagun, Westpunt (Alice in Wonderland reef), Habitat, Jan Thiel beach...just to name a few. Really no need for excursion unless you like lots of people and crowds. Just need a taxi to get to some...others you can walk to from the Pier.

[celticd1]

Thank you so much for the info!

 

Can you recommend a good beach with bathroom facilities, bar/food and snorkeling from shore that is not too far from the cruise port?

 

TIA

[curacao]

Thank you so much for the info!

 

Can you recommend a good beach with bathroom facilities, bar/food and snorkeling from shore that is not too far from the cruise port?

 

TIA[/quote

 

Sure can!!! the Holiday Beach. the ship will probably dock at the Mega-Pier. Holiday beach is to the left OR West...You can Walk to this beach. It is on the beach side, needless to say. They have a dive shop, a swim pool, a nice beach, a wonderful bar that serves great peach daquiries (for me!) or what ever you want. The bathrooms are large and clean. there is also a shower to rinse off before heading out. Snorkeling is great. If you don't have your own equipment...they have some for rent there. there is also a casino.....This is right next door to a Denny's...so if you see the Denny's sign from the ship--you will know how far you will have to crawl/or swim (LOL) back to the ship

[celticd1]

Thank you soo much again!

 

This info is invaluable! :)

 

Peach daquiries sound wonderful!

[FreshOffTheBoat]

How much are beach chairs and snorkel equipment at this beach near the pier?

[curacao]

How much are beach chairs and snorkel equipment at this beach near the pier?

 

If they charge anything, it will be minimal. When I was there about a year ago, there was no charge, but I did suck up the daquiris and ate there. the snorkel equipment?? that I am not sure, but if you look up "Diversity Curacao" (the name of Dive Shop!) it may have more info on it. I have my own gear, so I never had to rent.

[DGNY]

diving and snorkeling is best from the beach. Saves $$$$ too. Most beaches have great snorkeling. There is The Dive Bus, Hooks Hut, Porto Marie, Holiday Beach, Playa Lagun, Westpunt (Alice in Wonderland reef), Habitat, Jan Thiel beach...just to name a few. Really no need for excursion unless you like lots of people and crowds. Just need a taxi to get to some...others you can walk to from the Pier.

 

Stopped at Playa Lagun as part of a tour. The snorkeling there was awesome!

[celticd1]

Stopped at Playa Lagun as part of a tour. The snorkeling there was awesome!

 

Thanks for the feedback! Couple of questions if you don't mind...it's so hard to get info on this port!

 

Did you snorkel from the beach or from a boat? What did your tour consist of? What did you see while snorkeling, mainly fish or were there corals as well?

 

Any other thoughts you could share would be great! :)

 

TIA

[curacao]

Thanks for the feedback! Couple of questions if you don't mind...it's so hard to get info on this port!

 

Did you snorkel from the beach or from a boat? What did your tour consist of? What did you see while snorkeling, mainly fish or were there corals as well?

 

Any other thoughts you could share would be great! :)

 

TIA

 

No sense paying for a boat on the island of Curacao. Beaches are wonderful to snorkel from. I never took a "tour" as I lived there for a year, but if you have your own snorkel equipment all you have to add is the beach of your choice. they have both fish and coral at most beaches. Sometimes you will see eagle rays, squid, turtles and moray's just to name a few. And NOT far from the pier either.

[DGNY]

Thanks for the feedback! Couple of questions if you don't mind...it's so hard to get info on this port!

 

Did you snorkel from the beach or from a boat? What did your tour consist of? What did you see while snorkeling, mainly fish or were there corals as well?

 

Any other thoughts you could share would be great! :)

 

TIA

 

Yes, the snorkel is from the beach. It was part of a tour with Curacao-Actief (Wonderful World of Water tour). Our guide was a lot of fun.

 

During the snorkel I was mainly looking at the fish (and also a turtle!). But there was coral too.

[GracieCat0_1]

If we walk to Holiday Beach from the pier, is it safe to leave our own snorkeling equipment on a beach chair or the beach while we play in the water?

[curacao]

If we walk to Holiday Beach from the pier, is it safe to leave our own snorkeling equipment on a beach chair or the beach while we play in the water?

 

Oh sure, it is a small beach area, unlike Mambo.

[cruiseapril]

We enjoyed our time at the Blue Bay Resort which has a good beach, good snorkeling, and all of the amenities of a resort including restaurant. You can google it and see the photos.

[curacao]

Stopped at Playa Lagun as part of a tour. The snorkeling there was awesome!

 

Yes they have great snorkeling there and it is also a great dive area. But a little hard to tell people how to get there on their own. they have a lot of morays and puffer fish and turtles in that area. Great view from the ridges overlooking both sides....

 

to be prefectly honest there is never a bad view of Curacao if you are on land looking towards the sea !!!

[celticd1]

Thanks for all the info everyone!

 

We can't wait to visit Curacao and the snorkeling sounds like it will be great!

[Esmee]

It is nice at Lagun, you can take a taxi or a tour. It is at the west part of the island. Porto Marie is also nice for snorkel.

At most of the beaches a beach chair costs $3