Curacao

[Dr. VP]

Can someone recommend a good dive shop for dives during our cruise?

 

Thanks!

[bruce-r]

I haven't used them, but http://www.the-dive-bus.com gets excellent reviews from other cruisers. I'd used them if I was going to visit Curacao on a cruise.

[gmcrow]

We dove with Hooks Diving last December. http://www.hooksdiving.com. Staff was great. One shore dive and one awesome boat dive. Whatever you do, don't miss diving there. You will not be disappointed. http://www.cruisedivers.blogspot.com

[King Neptune]

Definitely go with The Dive Bus. First class operation, you won't go wrong.

[w&k]

You absolutely can't go wrong diving with Suzy and Mark. They are an absolute hoot, and the diving right there at the hut is fantastic. Fresh fish and cold beer for after the dive, and life just doesn't get any better than that.

 

I found them awhile back, and now when I book another trip, my DH has just one question: "Are we going to Curacao?"

 

Tell them you heard it here on the CC boards, and they will let you come dive with them anyway. Beware of the blackmail pictures, though. ;) There is a particularly funny one of us in the February 2008 newsletter.

 

The links below are our pix, and the Grand Princess website has a blurb on our folks going in February on the Ports & Tours page.

 

Have a great time!

 

Wendy

 

dive pix

http://community.webshots.com/user/wendyandkeith

 

our next trip

http://www.freewebs.com/grandprincess-02-29-09

[Dr. VP]

Thanks for the assistance folks!

[TreeCity]

Did you dive from shore, do the East trip or the West trip? Was there plenty of time to get back to the ship? Did they provide transportation from the pier and back? Thanks for any additional information. Cruising in March.

[King Neptune]

We did shore dives from the beach in front of their location at Pierbaai. It was an easy cab ride over to them from the ship's pier and they will call a taxi to take you back. In our case there was a taxi driver sitting there finishing his lunch and he took us back.

[w&k]

The Dive Bus cannot pick up at the pier - only the taxis and tour guides can get in.

 

Either you can arrange transportation through Cheraldine at Coast-2-Coast tours, or you can just catch a cab - we find that easier. It's usually about $4 US per person for a minivan full. Here's the link on their website for cruise ship passengers http://www.the-dive-bus.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=438&Itemid=216

 

We even manage to get back with plenty of time even though there are Polars involved. Usually several Polars... (that's the local beer)

 

We do a little bit of a change in the typical schedule, though. Our folks show up a little early (9:30am or so), get set up, do our dives back-to-back with a short break to switch over equipment, and have lunch after dive #2.

 

Most folks like lunch between their dives, but DH doesn't like to dive on a full tummy. Of course, doing the day that way gives us more time for the gear to dry before we repack it. I'm sure it wouldn't have anything at all to do with swapping dive stories and consuming beverages... ;)

 

For a complete review, you can search this board, or I have most of the older reviews on my website. http://www.freewebs.com/wendyandkeith/

 

Have a great trip - I just had an E-mail from Suzy this evening, and we're heading back in February.

 

Wendy

 

dive pix

http://community.webshots.com/user/wendyandkeith

 

next up

http://www.freewebs.com/grandprincess-02-27-09

[TreeCity]

Is there a place for snorkelers by The Dive Bus that is free or do they have to pay to use the beaches etc. the rest of my group are snorkelers so it would be nice to find a place where they can snorkel and I can dive but not have to spend alot of money. Thanks for any input.

 

Also thanks for the info about The Dive Bus. I plan on going with them in March.

[King Neptune]

The beach at Pierbaai is open to snorklers and there were some snorkling while we were there but I can't vouch as to how good it is. Maybe Wendy can add some more information.

[Stevesan]

Is there a place for snorkelers by The Dive Bus that is free or do they have to pay to use the beaches etc. the rest of my group are snorkelers so it would be nice to find a place where they can snorkel and I can dive but not have to spend alot of money. Thanks for any input.

 

Also thanks for the info about The Dive Bus. I plan on going with them in March.

 

 

The Dive Bus accomodates snorkelers. They also have a guided snorkel tour (optional).

 

http://www.the-dive-bus.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=551&Itemid=324

[w&k]

Yes, there is awesome snorkeling out over the shallow sections of Pierbaai reef, and you may either snorkel on your own, or arrange for a guide to show you all the critters. The guide is really worth it, as they know each and every cranny of the reef, and where the fun stuff hangs out.

 

Also, The Dive Bus rents booties and real fins, which you might want to think about. You really don't want to go walking into the water in bare feet or closed-heel fins, as there are plenty of coral bits, rocks, and other debris that are just waiting nab your feet.

 

From a recent E-mail from Suzy -

 

"As for snorkeling, if folks just want to go snorkeling on their own and have their own gear, there's no charge at all. If they need to use our gear, it's $15.25. And if they want a 'Guided Snorkel Tour' which is a lesson on how to snorkel, information about the reef, fish etc, and a Dive Master out snorkeling with them, it's $47.25 (which also includes the gear). We also now have snorkel vests (oooh, gettin' fancy!!!) which are $10.25. That's it - simple!"

 

Sorry it took me so long to find this, but I misfiled the E-mail under a trip from last year.

 

Have a great time!

 

Wendy

next up

http://www.freewebs.com/grandprincess-02-27-09

 

Wendy