Curacao is not just about diving
We found another well-written article about diving on Curacao. This one is by Lilah Tusko who is a freelance writer for http://www.scubadivingsolutions.com.
Many modern scuba diving destinations that are just now gaining the attention and interest of the scuba diving community have little else to offer other than great dive sites and numerous dive shops. They seem to lack the heart and soul of a historical location that can keep you enthralled during the whole of your vacation and not just those times that you are under water. While these new destinations might be ideal for hard-core divers, they are less appealing to families or beginner divers that might be interested in a balanced vacation that can engage all of the senses instead of a vacation filled with a mind-numbing whirlwind of scuba diving activity.
Curacao is just such a place that can keep each and every member of your family in awe for days even if they don’t decide to take the plunge and go scuba diving. Located only 40 miles north of the Venezuelan coast, Curacao is part of the ABC islands called the Netherlands Antilles located in the Caribbean Sea. Scuba diving isn’t the only attraction that this beautiful, arid island has to offer.
Even though the island of Curacao is small (only about 40 miles in length and 5 miles wide) it is home to a rich and diverse culture. The historical buildings and the vibrant hum of culture are the backdrop for the 180,000 residents who call Curacao home. Four languages are spoken on the island including English, Dutch, Papiamento and Spanish. Amazingly, most residents of Curacao are fluent in all four languages.
The island of Curacao itself has developed over centuries from lava rock on which coral has grown. The entire island is surrounded by coral reefs that make scuba diving in Curacao a prime attraction. The coastline of Curacao is dotted with numerous small bays and inlets that help supply some of the more than 60 scuba diving sites to be found on the island. The weather is almost always dry and temperatures average at a gorgeous 82 degrees.
The scuba diving sites surrounding Curacao are as diverse as the culture and experiences to be found on this unique Caribbean island. Many sites can be reached by simply walking offshore while others are accessed by boat. Once under, you will be amazed by delicate corals, brightly colored tropical fish, vertical walls, shipwrecks and even an airplane wreck.
If it’s even possible to become bored with the many scuba diving spots to be found in Curacao, a short day trip to a neighboring island will do the trick. Klein Curacao is a small, rugged, uninhabited island just 3 miles off the East coast of Curacao. Scuba diving in this area reveals sponge-covered walls, dolphins, sharks, and a wide variety of colorful corals and exotic marine life.
Above water Curacao offers numerous aquariums for those not wishing to take a dip. You can even take a trip in a glass-bottomed boat that will allow you to see the breathtaking beauty of Curacao’s underwater world without getting wet.