Diving in Curacao or Aruba?

[ftelah]

We will be in Curacao 11/5 from 8-5 and Aruba the day before from 1-8. My question is does anyone know which place if we were thinking of diving would be better and possibly more reasonable at one than the other? If we decide not to dive what are the suggestions we should make sure to go see while we are there. Thanks for any help and input.

[Arubalisa]

I highly recommend the dive shop at Playa Porto Mari in Curacao. http://www.shorediving.com/Earth/ABC/Curacao/Port_Marie/ and http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g147277-d2169479-r151644197-Playa_Porto_Marie-Curacao.html They charge about $50 for a guided shore dive including all gear. It is a shallow dive so you will have 60+ minutes plus bottom time. Great bang for the buck. It worked out great for us because we had our family with us, some just wanted to hang on the beach, some just snorkle and there was everything, including restrooms, food and drinks, right there.

 

Diving in Aruba at the cheapest is going to run you $75 one tank and about $110 two tanks with rented equipment. For the hours you are going to be in Aruba you would probably want to do the Antilla and one of the nearby shallower reefs for a second dive. http://arubawatersportscenter.com/activities/Scuba-Diving-in-Aruba

[ftelah]

I highly recommend the dive shop at Playa Porto Mari in Curacao. http://www.shorediving.com/Earth/ABC/Curacao/Port_Marie/ and http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g147277-d2169479-r151644197-Playa_Porto_Marie-Curacao.html They charge about $50 for a guided shore dive including all gear. It is a shallow dive so you will have 60+ minutes plus bottom time. Great bang for the buck. It worked out great for us because we had our family with us, some just wanted to hang on the beach, some just snorkle and there was everything, including restrooms, food and drinks, right there.

 

Diving in Aruba at the cheapest is going to run you $75 one tank and about $110 two tanks with rented equipment. For the hours you are going to be in Aruba you would probably want to do the Antilla and one of the nearby shallower reefs for a second dive. http://arubawatersports center.com/activities/Scuba-Diving-in-Aruba

 

 

Thank you for your help. We get into Aruba from 1-8 so wasn't sure what direction would be best for Aruba. Do you have any suggestions? I did see on a different post that you have a whole list of things are any of them within walking distance of the cruise port? I did read that we could get a bus and go to a beach also but wasn't sure if the beach areas that were talked about was something we could snorkel at or if we should spend time seeing other sites since it is our first time there. One of the reasons I wasn't sure about diving was because I know it take quite a bit of time out and wasn't sure if we'd have time to see or do anything else. I believe I read that the shops close up around 6 pm also, are they in walking distance from the port? Sorry for so many questions.

[Arubalisa]

Thank you for your help. We get into Aruba from 1-8 so wasn't sure what direction would be best for Aruba. Do you have any suggestions? I did see on a different post that you have a whole list of things are any of them within walking distance of the cruise port? I did read that we could get a bus and go to a beach also but wasn't sure if the beach areas that were talked about was something we could snorkel at or if we should spend time seeing other sites since it is our first time there. One of the reasons I wasn't sure about diving was because I know it take quite a bit of time out and wasn't sure if we'd have time to see or do anything else. I believe I read that the shops close up around 6 pm also, are they in walking distance from the port? Sorry for so many questions.

To keep this on topic for Curacao ;), I replied to your post at :)

Snorkeling from the beach in Aruba - Help please!, Specificially http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=40394759&postcount=15

 

Please let me know if you have any other questions.