The staff at Curacao-Actief was pleased to learn that the readers of Scuba Diving Magazine rated Oswaldo’s Drop Off, one of our own cherished sites, as the third best shore diving location in the world.

It is always gratifying to be recognized by the international diving community. With our extensive knowledge of all the shore dives on Curacao, it was certainly not news to us that Oswaldo’s Drop Off is a great site, and would be worthy of a lengthy boat ride were it not so easily accessible from shore. However, we feel that Oswaldo’s is only one of more than a dozen local sites which could qualify for world class shore diving status. Rating the shore diving on Curacao is akin to judging a Miss Universe Pageant, someone has to win, but all the contestants are uniquely beautiful.

Oswaldo’s is suitable for all levels of divers and there is some great snorkeling beside the breakwater and above the shallow (20 feet deep) terrace leading to the drop off. You can pay a small fee and gain access at the Superclub Breezes, where there are full facilities, or you can access this site for free from the neighboring public beach of Marie Pompoen, just behind the Sea Side Terrace and the Surf and Turf Restaurant. A small dock with a ladder offers easy access to the little bay, where you’ll find schools of Doctorfish and grazing Flying Gurnards.

The shallow terrace is great for snorkeling and for novice divers, with Elk Horn Coral, Brain Coral, and Finger Coral dominating, and Squirrelfish, Blue Tang, Angelfish, and Parrotfish swimming among the rocks. The drop-off is only 100 yards further from shore. The reef wall starts in 30 feet of water, dropping gradually to a depth of 130 feet. (The remains of the barge and the Car Pile lie between the Breezes peer and Marie Pompoen, all below 60 feet.) The wall is lushly grown with Sponges, Wire Coral, and fields of Finger Coral. Look for Cowfish, Butterflyfish, Cornetfish, and schools of Snappers.