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Destination Spotlight: Curacao

Bon Bini! (Welcome!)

Where’s our next stop on our virtual tour of beautiful beaches, resorts, and dive destinations?

Curacao! (But you knew that already though, you cheated and looked at the title!)

One of the Caribbean’s hidden treasures and part of the “ABC Islands,” Curacao is famous for its vibrant culture, gorgeous beaches, and almost untouched marine life (which is pretty much everything we LOVE about a destination).

But what really gets our fins perked?

Spectacular dives! And let us tell you, Curacao’s at the TOP of the list. Voted as one of the top 3 locations for ‘Best Snorkeling’, ‘Best Shore Diving’ and ‘Best Macro Marine Life’ by the readers of Scuba Diving Magazine, it’s a given (and must-go) for divers of any level.

So, what’s it like diving Curacao?

We thought you’d never ask.

Diving Curacao

Much of Curacao’s dive sites are on the east side of the island, many of which are only accessible by boat. Since mainly divers and some locals (who respect the ocean and marine life) venture to these sites, the reefs are preserved and pristine.

We encourage photo-ops.

Spot and snap shots of turtles, eels, angelfish, barracudas, seahorses, lobsters, and plenty more. Divers have also recently reported spotting manta rays as well as nurse sharks on the East Point.

You can expect some mild currents and drift dives, which are easy enough for beginner and experienced divers alike. Most dive sites are reef dives with a gentle slope, nice overhangs, and even canyons at times.

Must-Do Dives

Basora: This site is abundant with as many species of coral and fish as you are likely to find in one place, it’s the most eastern dive site on Curaçao. And because it is on the point, the currents can shift quickly and the wave action is unpredictable.

Hell’s Corner:  For our advanced diver looking for some adventure and challenge, this could be the perfect dive site for you. Hell’s Corner has no protection from the open ocean and large waves crash against the rocks on the shore, hence the name Hell’s Corner.

Here you’ll find brain corals, tube sponges, mushroom heads, large gorgonians, abundant fish life, schooling jacks, barracuda, sea turtles, lobsters, and spotted and green morays.

Superior Producer Wreck: If you travel outside cruise ship season you can dive the Superior Producer Wreck, offered by Lions Dive & Beach Resort. This is definitely a must-do as the ship is a colorful 240-foot long feast for the eyes. Corals, sponges and micro-life cover the ship as fish and barracudas swim about.

Curacao can provide a wide range of accommodations from full service and all inclusive  resorts to boutique and small properties. There are many good dive operators and with the proximity of the dive sites, divers have the opportunity to dive and experience a large number of sites like Mushroom Forest, Klein Curacao, Tugboat and many more from most hotels.

Other must-do dives include: Klein Curacao, Airplane Wreck, Kabes di Baranka/ Beach Point & Caracasbay Lost Anchor, Vaersenbay Car Wrecks, Halfway, and much more.

Topside

If you’re in the mood to shop, the historic capital city of Willemstad is a place to visit. There you can also find great restaurants, nightlife spots, and of course its world-famous sherbet-colored buildings and floating bridge.

Still into sea-life even outside the water? Us too.

So, a visit to the Seaquarium and Dolphin Academy is a must. The Seaquarium has several aquarian and interactive programs with sea lions, turtles and sharks! Experienced divers can even partake in a special dolphin dive. (We know that isn’t really topside, but we’re divers – we can’t help it.)

It’s also well worth the effort to rent a car and explore the other end of the island where you’ll find spectacular beaches amongst the cliffs and magnificent aqua blue waters.

Curacao has a mix of over 50 different cultures, so food here’s going to be varied and we love that! A variety of influences from Dutch, Spanish, Creole, Indonesian, and more can be found at Curaçao’s famous old market, Marsche Bieuw in downtown Willemstad. We can’t get into all the delicious dishes so we’ll leave that for you to discover for yourself. But don’t leave without trying: fried plantains, kokada, bami, sate, and kònkòmber!

 

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A Mermaid Minute: Linden Wolbert

‘Out of the sea… wish I could be… part of that, world…’

What if we told you we found a girl who longed to be part of the undersea world? Who quit her steady 9-5 to fulfill her dream of becoming a real mermaid.

We’re not nuts! Though it sounds a bit odd, this is exactly what Linden Wolbert did. And some of us here are a little envious! As divers, free-diving with a fish-like tail is the closest you can get to comfortably experiencing the ocean as the undersea creatures do.

So, what’s her story?

As a kid Linden loved movies like “Splash” and “The Little Mermaid” she’d also spend most of her time watching wildlife documentaries. Linden’s even got a bachelor’s degree in film and science from Emerson.

Photo Courtesy of Yahoo! Shine

Her goal? To become an underwater wildlife documentary filmmaker like Jacques Cousteau.

She ended up with a 35-pound, 6-foot long hydro-dynamic tail that’s probably worth more than some of our dive equipment… She’s also got a few more and one in the works by famed fashion designer Evey Rothstein.

Her tails aren’t just for show. Each tail is ‘swimmable’ and allows her to make differently in the water. This little mermaid can also dive down about 100 feet and hold her breath for five full minutes.

There’s so much more to her story, work and charity work, and her online show The Mermaid Minute.

Check it out at Yahoo! Shine’s What It’s Like to Be a Real-Life Mermaid>>

 

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Destination Spotlight: Cozumel, Mexico

Crystal clear waters, delicious (and we mean delicious) food, friendly locals, rich history and of course drift diving, which is a must for experienced divers, and so much more.

We’re going to try the best we can to fit all of the best of Cozumel Mexico into one awesome post.

Ready?

Here’s your next stop in our virtual destination tours: Cozumel, Mexico.

Diving Cozumel  

Divers from across the globe travel to this beautiful island to enjoy Mexico’s unique reefs, marine life, and dive conditions.

Diving in Cozumel takes place in the Meso-American Barrier Reef at the National Marine Park, which has been protecting the area for over 15 years. Depending on the season, currents vary from nonexistent to about 2 knots or so. And at times, you may be able to experience the Cozumel Drift, which allows you to partake in spectacular diving with little to no effort.

What can you expect to see at the largest reef in the Western Hemisphere?

Over 500 species of fish, 350 of mollusks and 26 classes of coral (100 types) inhabit this area as well as sponges, sea turtles, crustaceans, stingrays and more. You can also see nurse sharks, small black tips, barracudas, and grouper year round. The undersea life is abundant and vibrant.

Must-Do-Dives 

The must-dos are in the Palancar reef area. It consists of over 6 miles of reefs, caves, drop offs, and tunnels. This reef alone contains 25 sites which are divided into different areas known as Horse Shoe, Caves, Bricks, and Palancar Shallow – just to name a few.

Some other famous dive sites include: Columbia y Columbia shallows, Punta Sur and Santa Rosa.

Cozumel also offers a series of smaller reefs that are extremely fun and have tons of marine life: Tormentos, Yucab, and Chancanaab.

Cozumel offers many popular accommodation types to stay that are extremely diver-friendly from small hotels to large all inclusive resorts. Most are located on the waterfront and dive operators are either on property or will pick you up from the properties dock.

There is no hype, no pretensions and the atmosphere is laid back.

That’s why divers find their way here. The destination seems to be designed and built for and by divers.

If you’re looking to up your dive skills, the dive operators all offer specialty courses and certifications for higher diving levels.

The diving experiences are unique to every dive. But there are many other pursuits and attractions that this destination offers when you are out of the water.

Got your fins perked again, huh?

Topside

No doubt, Mexico’s FULL of rich history and culture, some of which are noted as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. But there are some wonders you can experience right in Cozumel.

San Miguel: Cozumel’s main town is just a short walk away from many hotels. The pueblito is known for its numerous family restaurants, bars, shopping, and much more.

For a more authentic Mexican vibe you can go to El Mercado (the Market), which is open daily from 6am – 1pm. There you can meet locals and shop for some Mexican food and wares.

Visit El Museo (the Museum) located right on the waterfront where you can enjoy local artist works and an exhibit on Cozumel’s history and heritage.

The ‘Other Side’: Looking for a different experience in Cozumel? Rent a car and head to the quiet mostly uninhibited other side of Cozumel. There you’ll find beautiful beaches, snorkeling, bars serving fresh fish, and you can even visit the small Mayan ruins of San Gervasio.

Want a little more adventure?

If you’ve got more time you can visit nearby attractions such as:

Chichen Itza: Said to be one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, and let us tell you, it IS. This site is a little further away but definitely worth the effort, as it is known as one of the most important civic and religious centers of the Mayans.

X-Caret Park: One of the most noted things about Mexico other than its ruins are its cenotes, which are openings (small or large) or a lagoon to underground fresh water rivers, caverns and caves. X-Caret Park offers a magnificent archeological experience of Riviera Maya. Enjoy snorkeling in underground rivers, wild life, vibrant Mexican culture and exhibitions, beach and much more.

There is much that Cozumel offers so don’t hesitate to go but be warned that once you do you’ll want to return!

 

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