Klein Curaçao
Rating :
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Accessible from the following beaches
Description
Situated southeast of Curacao, this idyllic little island is only one and a half miles long and a third of a mile wide. Day trips are available on a number of different charter boats, usually about 2 hours each way. The seas are often rough, so if you're prone to motion sickness don"t forget to take your meds! The island has no services other than what your charter company provides. Klein Curacao offers a tranquil day away from civilization with a long stretch of powder fine, sandy beach, an old scenic lighthouse, and the wreck of the Maria Bianca Guidesman tanker lying against the rocks on the windward (east) side. Aside from a few fishing shacks there is no shade available and sunscreen is a must. The shallow area off the beach is great for snorkeling. Visibility is usually over 100 feet, and sea turtles and dolphins are frequent visitors here. Aside from a few fishing shacks there is no shade available and sunscreen is a must. The shallow area off the beach is great for snorkeling. Visibility is usually over 100 feet, and sea turtles and dolphins are frequent visitors here. 1. The sheltered west side for novice divers 1. The sheltered west side is accessible right off the beach and appropriate for novice divers and snorkelers alike. A sandy plateau leads to the drop off, 100 yards from shore. The drop off starts in 25 feet of water and runs below 130 feet. Young green turtles can almost always be found here feeding off the grasses until they're big enough to venture further out to sea. Several deep sandy channels cut through the reef wall. Gorgonians and sponges dominate, with some stony corals mixed in. File fish, anemones, and cleaner shrimp are seen in abundance here, as well as lobster, crab, and flounders. |
| 2. The north point is a fantastic wall dive best done by boat. Unpredictable currents and significant swells limit this site to experienced divers. Nutrient rich waters bring in large schools of fish including Groupers, Creole Wrasses, and the rare Midnight Parrot Fish. The deeper sections of the wall are covered in stony corals, while Sea Plumes and Sea Fans sway in the current higher up. Cave divers will want to check out the large cave 100 feet down where nurse sharks can often be found snoozing. Keep a careful eye on your time and depth. Only properly trained and equipped divers should consider entering the cave. |  |
| 3. The south point offers a beautiful dive, with large green morays, schools of feeding fish, and pods of dolphins. Currents can be strong and unpredictable, and it is not recommended for novices. Gorgonians dominate the wall here, with Angel Fish and Surgeon Fish feeding among the coral. Manta Rays have occasionally been spotted at this site. |  |
| 4. The east side is rough and can only be dived when weather permits. In the shallow area look for the large, encrusted anchors and the old cannons among a field of Sea Fans. The drop off is a hundred yards from shore and drops steeply. The wall is pocked with various fissures and small caves where nurse sharks can sometimes be found. This site is best done as a drift dive with an experienced captain. |  |
| Dive type: |
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| Suitability: | all levels, excellent for snorkeling, but only on the leeward south coast |
| Photography: | close-up and wide angle |
| Underwater view: | between 20 and 40 metres |
| Current | varying between no currents and strong currents |
| Drive & dive map: | 67 |
Boarding The Miss Ann departs from Jan Sofat, the Mermaid departs from the fishermans' harbour at Caracasbaaiweg. |  |
Diving at Klein Curaçao Both boats have a smaller boat to transport divers to the different locations. |  |
