Curaçao | World Class Conservation on an Island of World Class Diving

Divers at Pierbaai after a Dive Against Debris (photo: The Dive Bus)

Curaçao is home to some of the most spectacular reefs in the Caribbean, and the dive community takes its responsibilities very seriously indeed. The driving force behind the conservation efforts is the Curaçao Dive Task Force, committed to sustainable tourism. Chief amongst the programs is the island's commitment to Project Aware's 'Adopt A Dive Site' Initiative. 

As the world's coral reefs come under increasing pressure from the effects of climate change, plastic pollution, coastal development and a host of other problems, the worldwide dive community is coming together to ensure that these precious resources are preserved for both the sake of the environment, and for future generations to enjoy.

Over the years Curaçao's dive centres have held many different reef cleanup events, and in February 2017, some of the island's dive centres came together under the Curaçao Hospitality & Tourism Association (CHATA) to form the Curaçao Dive Task Force (CDTF). The CDTF's responsibilities were to ensure safe and responsible dive practices across the board, and that each member of the Task Force was committed to sustainable tourism as part of their efforts.

One of their main achievements was joining Project Aware's 'Adopt-A-Dive-Site' program, an expansion of the 'Dive Against Debris' initiative. To qualify for the Adopt A Dive Site, participants must pledge to carry out monthly Dive Against Debris surveys and report on their findings each month from the same location. Dive centres involved in the program must also lead the way in reducing their own waste production, and encourage the local community to take action against marine litter.

Divers cleaning up at the popular dive site of Tugboat (photo: The Dive Bus)

'Our ocean and dive sites are an important component of our Tourism Product,' said Miles Mercera, CEO of CHATA. 'It is, therefore, a shared responsibility of the whole community to conserve and positively contribute to our natural resources, such as our ocean and dive sites for the benefit of our future generations. The commitment of the Dive Task Force to the Dive Against Debris and Adopt a Dive Site Initiatives is an important step towards the creation of awareness regarding the negative effects of marine debris on the island and ultimately the conservation of our ocean.'

To date, 14 of the 70 named dive sites in Curaçao have now been adopted, including the dive centres own house reefs where applicable, and also some of Curaçao's most iconic sites, such as the recently adopted Tugboat.

Cleanup events are held regularly by participating dive centres, often at heavily discounted prices, sometimes even free of charge. Residents and tourists alike are welcome to join in the activities, or take the PADI Dive Against Debris specialty course to learn more about ocean conservation. Participating dive centres are listed below, and a full events calendar is available for prospective vistors. 

CHATA Dive Task Force Centres

	The Dive Bus, Marie Pampoen		Curious 2 Dive, CaracasBaai
	Ocean Encounters - Lions Dive & Beach Resort		Epsilon Dive Center, Acoya Resort
	Atlantis Diving Curacao, Willemstad		Scuba Lodge Dive Center, Pietermaai
	Goby Divers, Veneto Holiday Beach Hotel		Jan Thiel Divers, Livingstone Resort
	Blue Bay Divers, Willemstad		Coral Divers Curacao, Willemstad
	B Diving & Watersports, Cas Abou Beach		Bahia Apartments and Diving, Lagun
	GO WEST Diving Curacao, Playa Kalki		Ocean Encounters - Sunscape Beach Resort
	Central Dive Curacao, Willemstad		Scuba Do Dive Center, Jan Thiel Beach

Interactive Curaçao Dive Site Map

(click to open in a new window)

Dive Curaçao's comprehensive interactive map of the island's dive sites with adopted dive sites listed (click to open in a new window)