Soft Scuba
Copyright © February 2004
Table of Contents
- “You Deserve To Dive Curaçao!...
Don't Wait Another Moment!”
- “Are Your Ready For Dive In To Earth Day?”
- “Why Dive? How Do I Begin?
[Part 5 of 7]”
- “How To Catch The Wind To The
Western Caribbean And...Dive In!”
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“You Deserve To Dive
Curaçao!...
Don't Wait Another Moment!”
Photo by: Fred
Altrieth–3/2000
Curaçao is situated about halfway between Aruba and Bonaire and about 35 miles
north of northwestern Venezuela.
It is less than a 3–hour jet ride away from Miami.
Curaçao is outside the hurricane belt, but can feel the effects of large hurricanes.
Why is Curaçao a world-class dive destination?
- Over 100 dive sites with wrecks, reefs, walls (some near-vertical), shore dives and a
protected underwater park (since 1983).
- Many of the best dive sites are marked by mooring buoys.
- The visibility often reaches 150 feet and averages 60–100 feet.
- Abundance of sea life of every size and color imaginable!
- Coral Spawning every September and October! This miracle of coral reef reproduction
only happens in September and October, one week after the full moon. Witness several types of coral,
urchins and brittle stars release their eggs to be fertilized in the open waters around the reef.
Photo by: Dennis
DeYoung–2/2001
Clear, warm water, and the abundance of a great variety of sea life surrounding Curaçao, much
of which can be experienced by shore diving, makes for a spectacular, dynamic, marine drama
constantly changing shape, motion, color and texture.
Photo by: David
Playfair–2/2001
Diving!—From the newly-certified to the experienced olde-pro underwater photographers,
Curaçao offers a very safe, pristine underwater environment. There is usually a gentle current
and the easy drift diving makes for very relaxing explorations.
Most dive sites are about a 15– to 20–minute boat ride away, or easily reachable as a shore dive. Most
of the dive operators use the large social boats, making for more comfort all around—shade, drinking
water, room to spread out, relax, play "one-up-man-ship" about the biggest fish you ever saw and other
spectacular dive adventures you ever had, while you assemble your gear.
Weather & Water—Year round air temperature averages—86–93 deg.F. Water temperature
ranges between 75 deg.F. to 85 deg.F. Visibility runs between 60 to 130+ feet, and is usually around
100 feet.
Price Validity—All Package Prices are subject to change without notice, unless
Paid-In-Full. Changes may be required in the event of increases or decreases in the cost of services
imposed by hotels, dive operators, air carriers (if included in package), or other contractors.
Government taxes can change at any time.
Air Fare—We provide the lowest available air fare from your City of Departure.
Your Dive Sites
NOTE: The following are only a few of the many incredible sites visited on a regular
basis by Curaçao dive operators, varying in depth from 10–15fsw to 130fsw.
Photo by: Dennis
DeYoung–2/2001 
You are going to see a lot! There are over 400 species of fish, crab, anemones, colorful sponges and
coral—Flamingo Tongue Snail, Purple Yellow Royal Gramma, Yellow Black Rock Beauties, Angel Fish,
marlin, sailfish, tuna, dolphin and wahoo.
- Boka di Sorsaka—deeply undercut ledge formed by surf over 5,000 years ago.
- Piedra di Sombre—spectacular steep wall covered with sponges and black coral trees.
- Hell's Corner—steeply shelving reef covered with large gorgon and pillar corals. Seen there
are barracudas, morays and spiny lobsters.
- Wata Mula—for the more experienced diver. Rugged submarine terrain, underwater cave,
huge moray eels.
- Sponge Forest—enormous Breaker Sponges, 4–ft cross-sections and heights
ranging15–16 feet.
- Mushroom Forest—the most beautiful of Banda Abao Underwater Park, this gently sloping
reef is covered with giant mushroom-shaped coral formations.
- Mike's Place—giant sponge in the shape of a double bed.
- Car Pile—artificial reef consisting of, what else?, autos no longer required by land lubbers.
- Klein Curaçao—uninhabited island about a one-hour boat ride away. Large
collection of anemones, shrimp, crab, wall, scorpion fish, red-legged hermit crabs, stingrays, eels,
orange elephant ear sponges, purple tube and rope sponges, huge gorgonias, black coral trees, yellow
frogfish, eagle rays, turtles.....
- The Wrecks—Tow Boat (17fsw), Superior Producer (100fsw), a crashed seaplane, SS
Oranje Nassau (80 years under the water and covered with sea life).
Your Dive Adventures
with
- Breezes Curaçao
- Habitat Curaçao
- Lion's Dive Curaçao
Hotel & Marina
High Season and Low
Season—High season generally begins mid-December and ends mid-April. Higher rates are
found during High Season and some holidays.
Breezes Curaçao
and
Oceans Encounters
Breezes Curaçao is the first Super-Inclusive resort in the Southern Caribbean. This
beautiful resort, with 341 rooms and suites, is adjacent to the pristine Undersea National Park
and the Sea Aquarium. Breezes Curaçao welcomes couples, singles and families. Your
kids will have a lot of great experiences at Camp Breezes. The largest casino in Curaçao is right
on the premises.
Breezes Curaçao Resort offers you it's own 1500 feet of private white sandy beach and crystal
clear waters. Here you'll enjoy wonderful accommodations, all imaginable water sports, premium brand
drinks and a variety of dining options ranging from Japanese cuisine at Munahana to the never-ending
Jimmy's Buffet. Of course, like all Breezes resorts, everything is included in the price and tipping is not
allowed.
Scuba Diving is right in front of Breezes Curaçao Resort & Casino, at about 85 feet, is
the famous dive site, Car Pile. Cars, trucks, and earth moving equipment were placed to create an
artificial reef where you will find special hiding places for sea life. This is a perfect site for a night dive. A
first visit during the day is advised so you know what to expect.
Habitat Curaçao
and
Habitat Divers
Habitat Curaçao—(Low season rates around $1010 diver, $727 non-
diver)—Adventure per person, double occupancy includes: 7 Nights Accommodations (deluxe garden
view room) - r/t air from Miami - airport transfers - free town shuttle during day - daily buffet
breakfast - government taxes, service charges, gratuities - 12 boat dives, unlimited 24-hour shore
dives, tank, weights, belt, air refills - refresher course - buoyancy control workshop.
Habitat Curaçao, the new world class dive resort, now offers deluxe oceanfront rooms, deluxe
garden view rooms, with kitchenettes and patios as well as cottages. Their dive operation is a PADI
5–star training and instructor development center offering boat and 24-hour shore diving and
snorkeling. Amenities include pool, beach, hiking trails, restaurant, bar and entertainment. Habitat
Curaçao is on the southwest coast of Curaçao—where the most spectacular diving
exists!
Lion's Dive Curaçao
Hotel & Marina
and
Oceans Encounters
Lion's Dive Hotel & Marina—(Low season rates around $805 diver, $525
non-diver)—Adventure per person, double occupancy includes: 7 Nights Accommodations (oceanview
room with balcony or terrace) - 12 boat dives with Underwater Curaçao - unlimited shore
diving - weights/tanks/air/belt - American breakfast buffet - taxes and gratuities - entrance to
Seaquarium on premises - scheduled shuttle bus to Willemstad - healthclub & fitness center.
Located 5 miles away from Willemstad, next to the Curaçao Seaquarium, Lion's Dive Hotel &
Marina is situated on Curaçao's largest white sand beach, a private beach connected with
Seaquarium beach—palm trees, beach huts, lounge chairs aplenty. Conveniently close to the National
Underwater Park! Fresh water pool.
Other Dive Adventure Options
The above standard dive adventures can be custom-tailored re: your length of stay, your number of
dives, your type of room, and divers vs. non-divers in your party. Do you want a Resort Course?
Become certified? Earn advanced certifications and specialties? Use the OW Referral and complete
your basic certification? If you don't see what you are looking for here, contact us and ask. We can
custom-tailor your dive adventure using other accommodations and dive operators.
Yes!...I Must Dive Curaçao Now!
Here Are My Dive Adventure Preferences
Want to know more about Curaçao?...
Fin immediately over to—Your Curaçao Dive Adventures.
“Are Your Ready For Dive In To Earth
Day?”
Dive In To Earth Day is coming soon. Put your best fin forward this Earth Day and
organize an event that makes a splash! Dive In To Earth Day, 15–22 April, is an international
celebration with an entire week of underwater conservation activities like...
- cleanups,
- mooring buoy installations projects,
- aquatic surveys,
- ecology dives,
- ...and much more.
Unite divers and water lovers in your community and Dive In to protect aquatic resources.
Yes! I Want To Be Involved! I Want Additional Details...And Post My
Event
Register on-line for
Dive and Travel Assistance Insurance with
DiveAssureTM
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“Why Dive? How Do I
Begin? [Part 5 of 7]”
by
Robert Keeney
Copyright © February 2004
Thought-provoking question...with many answers...
Part 5 of this 7-part series helps you gain a deeper feeling about your underwater Universe. You
explore the Soul of diving...as you embrace more deeply your familiar underwater neighborhood.
You earned your basic OpenWater C-card. You have logged quite a few dives since that time. You
pursue higher-level certifications. You seek greater depth of understanding in this strange environment.
You become less a stranger in a strange land as you develop your underwater awareness.
When you pursue your AdvancedOpenWater certification, you experience the required Deep Diving
module. You focus more intensely planning your dive and diving your plan. You venture to greater
depths. In your new, yet to be explored, deeper experience, you "sense" the source and
interrelationship between all species...from smallest to largest. You wander the deeper reefs, ridges and
walls. You feel the energy source you might not have encountered before.
Your pleasure has only just begun. No more classes...no more Confined Water Dives where you
learned and practiced your basic skills. Just you and maybe a few others and your instructor. You did
the Knowledge Review at home. You discussed your concepts with your instructor. You performed the
dive under your instructor's supervision. You may pursue this further. Do a few more dives with your
instructor. You will earn your Specialty Certification as a Deep Diver.
You and your buddy slowly explore the deeper reefs, ridges and walls. You find larger creatures. Did
you happen to ascend or descend through a school of barracuda? Did you see that scurrying away
shark in the distance...just out of the corner of your eye? How about that huge turtle sleeping on the
reef? The myriads of fish all different sizes feeding at various depths? That school of eagle rays cruising
in pattern just off the wall? How about that large octopus hiding in his hole...with all the broken shells in
his front yard?
When you surface, your viewpoint is altered. You feel more respect for your planet. You touched ever
so lightly the Soul of your planet. You recognize we all share the same source...the fountainhead of
life.
Seek more training. Purchase more equipment. Safely and comfortably venture below for extended
periods. Become more relaxed. Receive greater enlightenment. Look forward to PADI's Deep Dive as
part of your next certification level.
In this article, Part 5 of this 7-part series, you have considered the Soul of your planet. Surface noise
often hides this from our senses. Deep under the quiet ocean, you become aware the source of being.
Your self is irrevocably intertwined with all. This is a very comfortable, re-assuring feeling.
Part 6 of this 7-part series takes you to a higher level of awareness. You become more conscious of a
Universal Mind which keeps all in harmonious balance. You become more in tune with your planet as
you acknowledge this unifying, intelligent force shared by all life forms.
Dive S.A.F.E.
Dive S.A.F.E.,
Robert Keeney—
PADI OpenWaterScubaInstructor
“How To Catch The Wind To The
Western Caribbean And...Dive In!”
The completely refurbished Norwegian Wind is virtually brand new. An elegant, spacious
vessel—it offers a relaxed, yet sophisticated cruising experience and panoramic views.
Your Onboard Experience—From the moment you step aboard this charming, elegant vessel
into the circular marble lobby— expect a relaxed yet refined cruising experience. Walls of glass and
spacious open decks bring the world around you to your fingertips. There is plenty of space in which to
roam, jog or just sit and enjoy the sun. A multi-level sun deck area around the new pool is wonderfully
sheltered from the wind when at sea. And the open deck space!
Intimate nooks in the Rendezvous lounge entice you to indulge in a romantic interlude. Try your luck
in the casino, enjoy a fabulous show in the comfortable Stardust Lounge, dance the night away in the
Dazzles disco. The Norwegian Wind has some idiosyncrasies since being stretched—that include
walking through public rooms and up and down stairs to get from one end to the other. But it makes it
more fun to find your way around. Shop, workout in the fitness centre, indulge in a massage, zap some
golf balls or toss some baskets. It's all here for your pleasure. And your kids will like it too. Especially
the video arcade and special programs available for both youngsters and teens. Don't forget the
midnight buffets and the formal Captain's cocktail party—a perfect opportunity to dress up.
Cruise Saturday to Saturday. Your Dive and Shore Excursions are extra. Itinerary—
- Miami
- at sea
- Grand Cayman
- Roatan
- Belize
- Cozumel
- at sea
- Miami
Dive In Scuba—Captain's Choice—Grand Cayman—Certified scuba divers will love these
exciting two-tank dives, one to the world-famous Cayman Wall. As you descend along this amazing
underwater drop-off, you'll see vibrant corals and sponges surrounded by beautiful tropical fish. The
second dive is to a local reef or shipwreck in shallower water, to a depth of about 50 feet.
Professional local instructors lead the dives. This dive trip is not to be missed!
Note: You must show your C-card and have dived in the past two years to participate.
Divers under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian. Dive sites may be changed because of
weather or sea conditions.
Dive In Scuba—Roatan—The term "world class diving" is no exaggeration when it comes to
Roatan. The waters around the island are filled with a wide assortment of colorful marine life. The coral
reefs are known for their spectacular drop-offs—places where the reef plunges vertically into the depths
of the sea. A professional local dive operator will take you on a two-tank scuba adventure to these
beautiful reefs.
Note: You must be a certified diver to participate. Equipment may be rented from the dive
operator at a nominal charge.
Dive In Discover Scuba—Cozumel—For anyone who has wanted to learn scuba diving but
never took the time. Designed for the non-diver as an introduction to scuba, Discover Scuba is simple,
fun and easy. Your classroom will be the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean, where you are
surrounded by colorful corals, sponges, fish and other marine life. You receive a one-hour lesson on
scuba basics from a qualified, competent instructor before you enter the water, then spend about 45
minutes exploring a world you've only dreamed about before.
Dive In Scuba—Captain's Choice—Cozumel—Certified scuba divers will love the incredible reefs
of Cozumel, part of the second largest barrier reef system in the world. A professional local operator
takes you by boat for a two-tank dive on these famous reefs, made up of beautiful coral and sponge
formations. You may see hundreds of fish, from colorful small varieties to huge grouper and parrotfish.
It is not unusual to see stingrays and turtles. You will return from the dive with plenty of time to shop or
explore the rest of Cozumel.
Note: You must be a certified scuba diver and have dived in the past two years. Tanks
and weights are included. Other equipment may be rented from dive operator.
Yes! I Want To Catch The Wind To
The
Western Caribbean And...Dive In!
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Fin on over to Soft Scuba—Now...
Soft Scuba—
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Fax: (208) 955-7705
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