CURAÇAO - Imagine! A group of Caribbean islands not subject to hurricanes but with a very Caribbean climate of 75°- 85°F (26°- 30°C), lower rainfall than many other islands (supporting cactus rather than rainforest), and a water temperature of 80°F (26°C) — which makes this a perfect island to enjoy scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, water skiing, sailing, and just laying on the beach.
    One of the more popular dive sites in Curaçao is the Tugboat sitting upright in 15 feet (5m) of water. Not only is this a good shallow dive for beginners, or a great way to end a deep dive on the wall nearby – a safety stop at 15 feet (5m) does not have to be spent doing nothing! – it's great for snorkelers, too.
    Wreck divers will also appreciate the Superior Producer. At 80 - 110 feet (25m - 35m), this is not a beginner's dive, due to the strong currents that sometimes prevail. The wheelhouse is covered with colorful corals and sponges, which provide a spectacular backdrop for photographers. Many of the ship's hatches are open providing some very interesting swim-throughs — non-certified wreck divers should take special care or stay outside the structure.
    Mushroom Forest and Mushroom Cave offer shallower, 30 - 50 foot (10m - 15m) dives, alive with a tremendous variety of fish and huge coral formations. Here is a mysterious cave full of silversides and glassy sweepers, with coral-covered boulders littering the floor of the cave.
    Take a day trip to Klein Curaçao (Little Curaçao), a rugged, uninhabited island off the eastern coast. Sponge covered walls, pelagics, dolphins, and sharks are some of the sights you'll see around Klein.
    Curaçao's accommodations range from small Dutch inns to large resort complexes, many of which sport a casino and/or a jazz club. The capital city of Willemstad resembles old Amsterdam itself, with brightly painted Dutch colonial buildings sparkling in the Caribbean sunshine. Look for Curaçao, and her sister islands, Aruba and Bonaire, in an atlas, off the coast of Venezuela in the South Caribbean Sea.
    English, Dutch, Papiamento (a mixed language) and Spanish are spoken, and most of the islanders speak all four languages fluently. As a result, shopping is a breeze, and all kinds of goods are available downtown with duty-free jewelry, china, electronic, and clothing stores lining the narrow streets. Then there are the many monuments, parks, and historical sites that make Curaçao a very unique holiday destination.

ARUBA - Wrecks are also a feature of the Aruba scuba scene – several W.W.II wrecks provide premier dive sites. The Antilla, Pedernales, and a DC-3 airplane are some favorites displaying a tremendous diversity of marine life.
    The mangled wreckage of the German freighter, Antilla, is alive with sponges, coral and hydroids. The crew blew up the ship at anchor, making much of it unrecognizable. At 60 feet (18m) this is a good dive for all skill levels, and the large compartments allow easy penetration – a myriad of fish life hovers in her recesses, including masses of silversides. Being only 300 feet (90m) from land, a shore dive is possible, but a boat will save two rather long surface swims.
    Just south of the Antilla lie two other great sites with wrecks – the Pedernales is a shallow site at 35 feet (10m), and also a good snorkel site. The torpedoed Pedernales features angelfish, groupers, and lobster. Malmok reef and Debbie II, a 120' (35m) fuel barge, are at a maximum depth of about 70 feet (20m). Brain and leaf corals, large barrel sponges, and schools of barracuda make this an interesting dive.
    Aruba is also well known as a world class windsurfing location. Windsurfing centers dot the western coastline providing all the necessary equipment and instruction for beginner to advanced. Swimming and snorkeling at any of the beaches is easy with a gently sloping drop-off into the clear, blue, tropical Caribbean Sea.

BONAIRE - The coral reefs around the salt island of Bonaire, and neighboring Klein Bonaire, have been designated a Marine Park. This has ensured the preservation of this pristine and bountiful underwater world, so that Bonaire's license plates declare this as a "Diver's Paradise"
    The short boat ride to Klein Bonaire makes available dozens of dive sites like Carl's Hill Annex, Munk's Haven, and Forest with coral, sponges, and gorgonians so thick you don't know where to look next. Sites accessible from shore or boat include the Hilma Hooker, a 235-foot (70m) freighter, which has orange cup corals covering her giant propeller nearly 100 feet (30m) down. Dive Salt Pier, the Invisibles, and Red Slave, and keep your eyes peeled for the camouflaged frogfish and seahorses. Abundant fish life rewards you on every dive with new and fascinating species to look up back at the dive shop.
    Many resorts, hotels, and motels cater to water sport enthusiasts, offering dive packages and boat diving on lush reefs and wrecks. This is a great place for the family to try diving, snorkeling, or windsurfing in the sunny climate and the clear, teeming, 80°F (26°C) turquoise water.

    All told, the Dutch islands of the Caribbean enjoy a perfect climate. The friendly islanders with their Dutch accent expect you to be dripping wet most of the time, so casual dress and swimsuits are the norm. International cuisine featuring seafood and Caribbean specialties grace the menus of many island restaurants. The variety of accommodations, many with a pool, dive shop, kitchen, and dock or small beach make this a Caribbean destination you'll want to return to again and again.
    Courtesy © Linda Gettmann - Suite101.com -Scuba Diving.

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