
Curaçao
Scuba Diving in Curaçao
Diving here on this island, a little north from the shores of Venezuela, brings new meaning to the phrase “Dutch treat.” Curacao is part of the Netherlands Antilles and is the “C” in the “ABC” island trio that also includes Bonaire and Aruba and features a colorful healthy seascape and a rugged landscape. Curacao was at the crossroads of sea commerce – legal and illegal – during colonial centuries and its legacy is a diverse mix of cultural influences, from Dutch and West African to Spanish and indigenous.
If you like mellow diving – by boat and by shore – with healthy, colorful coral reefs and plenty of small life to keep your eyes sharp and occupied, you’ll love Curacao. If you want to combine your diving with lively nightlife, or lazy days and nights on the beach, Curacao will be a dream come true.
Willemstad, instantly recognizable for its pastel-colored Dutch colonial buildings lining its harbor, is Curacao’s major city. It is a sophisticated and stylish port of call for cruise ships, so it offers no shortage of shopping, dining and entertainment options, from jewelry boutiques and world class restaurants to nightclubs and casinos. Divers who double as cultural anthropologists must visit Kura Hulanda, an award-winning museum with world renowned permanent exhibits on the African slave trade and Jewish immigration and how both are permanently etched in the island’s identity.
Curacao’s countryside is as tranquil as the city is bustling. You’ll find quiet sandy beaches along the shore, a flamingo reserve in a valley and charming villages in the hills. You may also want to spend an off-gassing day trading your fins for hiking boots and taking on the challenge of hiking to the summit of Mt. Christoffel, for a breathtaking view of the entire island.
With a fringing reef surrounding the island, scores of dive sites are mere steps from your resort or other parts of the shore, or only a short boat ride away. Curacao’s trademark underwater highlights include mushroom-shaped coral heads, seahorses, cleaner shrimp, schools of colorful tropical fish, the occasional spotted eagle ray and the wreck of the Superior Producer.
Scuba Travel Ventures can arrange your accommodation however you choose – from a high profile resort near the city, to a low-key one on the beach.
Curaçao Dive Resorts
We recommend two dive resorts in Curacao: Sunscape Curacao Resort and LionsDive Beach Resort.
Sunscape Curacao Resort
Enjoy a fun-filled getaway of a lifetime at Sunscape Curaçao Resort, Spa & Casino. Located near Aruba and off the coast of Venezuela, the 38-mile long island of Curaçao offers idyllic weather, exquisite beaches, spectacular snorkeling and much more to families, couples, singles and friends.

Enjoy a fun-filled getaway of a lifetime at Sunscape Curaçao Resort, Spa & Casino. Located near Aruba and off the coast of Venezuela, the 38-mile long island of Curaçao offers idyllic weather, exquisite beaches, spectacular snorkeling and much more to families, couples, singles and friends.
At Sunscape Curaçao all guests will enjoy an exciting vacation with four swimming pools, adults only jacuzzi, live shows and nightly entertainment, 24 hour fitness center, volleyball, rock climbing, along with many other outdoor activities. The resort features an onsite casino and a quick shuttle service to downtown Willemstad, while also being adjacent to both the pristine Undersea National Park and Sea Aquarium. Enjoy great shore and boat diving with our on-site Ocean Encounters PADI Dive Center at one of the most popular diving sites in the world.
Located just 10 miles from the International Airport Hato and two miles from the capital city of Willemstad, guests can enjoy everything that Curaçao has to offer.
Sunscape Curaçao Resort, Spa & Casino is recognized as a RCI Gold Crown Resort, the highest award through Unlimited Vacation Club’s affiliation with RCI. This award designates resorts that have met or exceeded specific standards in the areas of unit housekeeping, unit maintenance, hospitality and check-in/check-out procedures, and an evaluation of resort facilities, amenities and services.
Sunscape Dive Packages Start at $1433 per person
Gallery: Sunscape Curacao Resort











LionsDive Beach Resort
LionsDive Beach Resort sits amidst a palm-studded beach overlooking the clear waters of Curacao’s National Underwater Park. Built in the Dutch Caribbean style, this sprawling oasis of a resort offers a huge variety of room options.

It’s located only 5 minutes away from Curacao’s capital city of Willemstad, home to a colorful array of Dutch colonial architecture, with numerous shops, bars, and restaurants within walking distance. The resort also prides itself on maintaining high environmental standards and immersing guests into its thickets of tropical foliage that sprout about the property, as well as offering sporty amenities.
LionsDive has 4 bars and restaurants, a Body Beach Wellness Club, a 50 meter sports pool (and also sports and fitness classes), and a spa.
Right next to the resort is the Seaquarium and Dolphin Academy, which has various aquariums and interactive programs with sea lions, turtles, and sharks. The Dolphin Academy specializes in dolphin encounters and swims, and experienced divers may even opt for a dolphin dive. Reservations are recommended.
Ocean Encounters is the on-site dive operator.. and there is nobody better. Several dive sites are just a few minutes from Lion’s, and there is even a house reef to enjoy shore dives! Day trips to Klein Curacao & Mushroom Forest are highly recommended. Also be sure to check out the Coral Restoration going on with Ocean Encounters; they have a coral nursery just a few kicks from shore.
Gallery: LionsDive Beach Resort








