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CURACAO (Ocean Encounters Diving)
LOCAL SITES:
CAR PILE
A unique, deep underwater car graveyard, this is a must see for antique car enthusiasts and wreck lovers alike. Dumped
atop a healthy existing reef in the 1960’s in an ill planned effort to create an artificial reef, the Car Pile is gradually
being reclaimed by the sea. You’ll find not only cars, but also trucks and construction equipment dating back to the
1940’s. Take a wide angle lens and get a picture of your buddy posing with their favorite model, but be careful, the
cars have gotten a tad rusty and there are many sharp edges!
This is an easy shore dive, located just
right of Superclub Breezes’ house reef. Breezes has an onsite dive shop, showers, restaurant, and full amenities. This
site can also be accessed for free from the neighboring public beach of Marie Pompoen. Currents are generally light, but the
surface can get a bit choppy.
En route to the car pile you’ll swim over a variety of shallow coral along the artificial breakwater. This area
is great for snorkeling and novice divers. Stony Corals dominate, with Squirrelfish, Angelfish, and Parrotfish swimming
among the rocks. Continue until reaching the drop-off a few minutes further on. Look for the pontoon wreck at 65 feet and
continue down to the cars. The reef starts at 80 feet and the wrecks are scattered around at 90 feet and below, nicely encrusted
with sponges and black coral.
Spotted Drum Fish grow unusually large in these waters and can be found hiding among the wrecks. Trunkfish also populate
the Car Pile, swimming in their seemingly awkward manner between the corals.
This is a deep dive; remember your training and plan accordingly.
BOCA TABLA
This site, which is well known for it's famous cave is part of the Shete Boka National Park. It is suited to advanced
divers only. To reach this site by car, head towards Westpunt. Boka Tabla is signposted to the right. A small entrance
fee must be paid at the gate of the national park. Divers should head towards the overflow which ensures that excess rain
water flows out to sea during the rainy season.
Enter the water when the sea is calm i.e. when the winds have died down. The sea bed is covered in sea-weed and coral,
such as Brain Coral, Finger Coral, and Plate Coral interspersed with small patches of sand. There are a good number of reef
fish here, including Trunkfish, Parrotfish and Doctorfish.
THE WALL
An impressive wall dive, this site is a must see for those who enjoy vertical drop-offs. To reach the Wall by car head
to Blauwbaai, near the Blue Bay Golf Resort. There’s a parking fee, but if you tell them you’re there to dive
they’ll halve the price. Facilities include showers, bathrooms, snacks, and a full service dive shop. The dive shop
requires you rent their tanks, even if you’ve brought your own.
Enter the water at the right side of the beach and swim right towards the cliffs. The reef starts at about 25 feet and
drops almost vertically to more than 140 feet. Hanging over the vertical drop off can give you the sensation of flying. If
you begin to feel any vertigo, keep an eye on a fixed point of the reef until the feeling passes. Also keep a close eye on
your depth gauge, as it’s easy to drop below your planned limits.
Along the edge of the drop-off there’s a healthy mix of Gorgonians and Stony Corals, with some large Sea Fans waving
in the current. Trumpet Fish like to hunt here, hanging upside down in the hopes that they’re mistaken for a Rope Sponge
by an unwary fish. They look slow, but if you get too close you’ll find those looks to be deceiving.
Following the wall back in the direction of the beach there are some impressive coral formations and large schools of fish,
with some of the better specimens at a depth of 40 – 60 feet. This is a good site to find the Longsnout Butterflyfish
searching the recesses for invertebrates. Don’t forget to take some time to examine the nooks and crannies yourself
for Lobster, Eels, and Spotted Drums. Photographers, bring the wide angle.
Info was collected with help
from Ocean Encounters Diving. Thank you!
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