According to Jeremiah Peek, the General Manager of Ocean Encounters; “Our Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao is the “hidden gem of the Caribbean”. You will find a wonderful assortment diving and snorkeling on a diverse healthy fringing reef system that surrounds the island. With generally calm waters and great visibility, you will encounter incredible biodiversity and an abundance of coral formations making it an ideal year-round environment for snorkelers and divers alike because Curaçao is located outside the hurricane belt.”
Now, let’s dive into the LionsDive Top 10 Dive and Snorkel Picks
1. Black Rock: As one of Curaçao’s easternmost dive sites, Black Rock is a true hidden gem. The reef begins with a broad, shallow platform that plunges steeply into deeper waters. Along the uneven slope, massive hard coral formations create countless holes and crevices—ideal hiding spots for lobsters and moray eels. With a bit of luck, divers might also spot barracuda, rainbow runners, or even a passing eagle ray.
Black Rock’s relative isolation means it’s often less crowded than more popular dive sites, offering a peaceful and immersive underwater experience. The visibility here is typically excellent, allowing divers to fully appreciate the vibrant marine life and intricate reef structures. Schools of tropical fish dart between the corals, while sponges and sea fans add bursts of color to the underwater landscape. For underwater photographers and nature enthusiasts alike, Black Rock delivers a rich, dynamic setting that rewards both patience and curiosity.
2. Smokey's: Located east of Fuikbaai, Smokey’s is inaccessible by land, a feature that has helped preserve its vibrant and diverse marine life. This isolation has allowed corals, sea fans, and sponges to thrive undisturbed, making it one of the more pristine dive sites in the area.
Because it can only be reached by boat, Smokey’s remains untouched by crowds, giving divers the chance to explore a truly unspoiled underwater ecosystem. The reef here boasts a colorful tapestry of marine flora, with large barrel sponges, delicate gorgonians, and soft corals swaying gently in the current. Schools of reef fish move in synchrony through the coral formations, while eagle rays and turtles occasionally glide through the deeper waters. With its exceptional biodiversity and tranquil setting, Smokey’s offers a diving experience that feels both intimate and awe-inspiring.
3. The Stella Maris: This is the house reef of LionsDive Beach Resort and Ocean Encounters Diving that is ideally located inside the Curaçao National Marine Park. Due to the abundant health of this beautiful fringing reef, this site is the perfect spot on Curaçao for a leisurely shore dive or a wonderful snorkeling experience. Additionally, we recommend visiting Coral Restoration Curaçao to learn more about the coral nurseries located at this site that are being used to rebuild the shallow water reef system outside the wave breakers. Coral Restoration Curaçao, an initiative of Ocean Encounters that is supported by LionsDive Beach Resort, is a wonderful investment in sustainable tourism that educates the community while protecting and preserving Curaçao’s natural ecosystems.
4. The Superior Producer: The Superior Producer is one of Curaçao’s most popular dive sites, and one of the Caribbean’s top wrecks. Dive in to the history of this iconic Curaçao shipwreck to discover how it came to meet its untimely end.
5. The Tugboat: This famous Curaçao Tugboat wreck lies next to Directors Bay in just 5 meters (15 feet) of water, beneath a steep cliffside leading to the infamous Quarantine House. Purposely sunk a few yards offshore of Tugboat Beach in Caracasbaai, this site is ideal for divers and snorkelers alike. The shallow depth reveals a vibrant artificial reef, teeming with colorful fish and coral growth. Its accessibility and stunning surroundings, framed by the dramatic cliffs, make it a standout spot. Offering a blend of history and natural beauty, this wreck promises an unforgettable underwater adventure for all who visit.
6. Double Reef: True to its name, Double Reef offers double the excitement with its two distinct reef systems. The first reef reaches a depth of about 12 meters (40 feet), while the outer reef starts at 15 meters (45 feet) and plunges deeper into the blue. The site’s unique combination of healthy coral and varied topography makes it truly exceptional, and turtles are often spotted gliding through its waters.
This layered underwater landscape creates a dynamic diving experience, where explorers can move between the two reef systems and encounter different marine environments in a single dive. The inner reef is teeming with colorful reef fish, sea fans, and soft corals, while the deeper outer reef attracts larger pelagic species such as jacks and barracuda. The space between the reefs often shelters moray eels, lobsters, and octopuses, making it a hotspot for marine life. With its excellent visibility and rich biodiversity, Double Reef is a must-visit for divers looking to experience the full spectrum of Curaçao’s underwater beauty.
7. Director’s Bay: This historic landmark is perfectly suited for divers, snorkelers and beach goers looking to relax. This site includes an old decaying surge protection fence (or what locals say, a shark fence) which is now encrusted in many beautiful corals and sponges. Additionally, this site is a perfect example of sustainable tourism at work because of the regular out-planting of shallow water corals by Coral Restoration Curaçao.
8. Saba Tugboat: Another fantastic dive and snorkel spot features a stunning shallow-water tugboat wreck, resting in about 5 meters of water. This site offers an accessible underwater adventure for all skill levels, with the sunken vessel creating a picturesque scene. Surrounded by vibrant marine life and coral growth, the tugboat has become a thriving artificial reef. Its shallow depth makes it perfect for snorkelers and divers alike, providing a close-up view of tropical fish and sea creatures. Located near Curaçao’s coast, this hidden gem promises an easy yet unforgettable exploration of the ocean’s wonders.
9. Shipwreck Point: This feels like diving in an aquarium! Surprisingly, this stunning fringing reef is the house reef of the Curaçao Sea Aquarium, situated right beside LionsDive Beach Resort. It’s one of the healthiest reefs around Curaçao, teeming with vibrant marine life. The clear waters and thriving ecosystem make it a diver’s paradise, showcasing a variety of colorful corals and fish. Its proximity to the resort adds convenience, while its natural beauty rivals any man-made exhibit. This hidden treasure offers an unforgettable underwater experience, blending the charm of an aquarium with the wild splendor of a living reef.
10. Barracuda Point: This special dive site, locally known as Punt’i Piku, is almost entirely covered in dense hard and soft coral formations and is a favorite spot to see sea turtles. The vibrant underwater world attracts divers seeking a colorful and lively experience. The coral structures provide a home to a variety of marine life, including tropical fish and other sea creatures. The presence of sea turtles, in particular, makes this location unique and appealing. It’s a hidden gem that showcases the ocean’s natural beauty and promises an unforgettable diving adventure for those who visit.
