Shore diving in Curaçao: the guide to dive sites and logistics

Shore diving in Curaçao means walking into the water straight from the beach, with no boat. It is the normal way to dive on the island: the tourism board lists more than 70 dive sites, over 38 of them reachable from the shore. You can dive them independently if you are certified, or with a guide.

The Little Green Boat is a French and English speaking dive centre in Curaçao. Your dives run in English or in French with the whole team, whichever you prefer, and Fabien also guides in Spanish. All our dives start from the shore.

Shore diving is not second-best diving

First, a common myth: the best sites would always be offshore, and the shore would be for beginners only. In Curaçao, that is wrong. For example, the Superior Producer, the island’s signature wreck, is dived from the shore. Likewise, the wild bays of the west, around Westpunt, are reached from the beach.

Second, diving from the shore mostly changes the logistics. No boat means no fixed departure time and no seat to book on board. In return, you handle the transport, the tanks and the safety of your belongings. According to figures from the Curaçao tourism board, updated in June 2026, more than 38 sites can be dived this way from the beach.

Shore diving in Curaçao on your own: what it involves

Diving from the shore without a guide requires a certification, at least Open Water or an equivalent. You then become your own dive leader, your own skipper and your own logistics manager. In practice, you need to:

• manage your tank supply and your trips between the filling stations and the sites;
• plan the drive to the remote sites of the north-west, around Westpunt;
• keep your tanks in the shade, away from the heat;
• check how easy the entry is before you gear up.

The car, the real weak spot

On the island, anything visible in a car becomes a target. The local rule is therefore the “empty nest”: nothing in sight, glove box and centre console left open, gear covered with an old towel. For electronic car keys, many dive shops on the island sell waterproof, egg-shaped key boxes. We cover these tips, and the list of guarded car parks, in our article on the Curaçao shore diving code.

Shore dive sites for beginners

Three sites are well suited to your first shore dives. They are described in more detail in our guide to the best dive sites in Curaçao.

• Playa Porto Mari: showers, changing rooms and a beach bar. The reef, reachable at different depths, is also home to young coral colonies from restoration work.
• Tugboat: the wreck of a tugboat in shallow water, and the pylons of a commercial pier. Note that access to the pylons depends on activity at the pier.
• Caracas Bay: a great site to watch turtles in the wild, with no artificial feeding.

Shore dive sites for experienced divers

• Superior Producer: the island’s legendary wreck, for Advanced divers only. The site is closed when a cruise ship is docked at the nearby terminal. Moreover, the currents are sometimes too strong.
• Marie Pampoen: the coral nurseries of Reef Renewal Curaçao, and “Car Pile”, an old overturned barge loaded with vehicles.
• Playa San Juan: a private estate, open on certain days only, where we run our lionfish control missions.

In every case, check the day’s conditions before you get in. On some sites, the current can make the entry dangerous.

Guided shore diving in Curaçao, our way

If you are certified, our private dives for certified divers all start from the shore. Prices start at $90 per person, or 162 XCG. If you bring your own equipment, a $20 discount applies.

The level required depends on the dive. For example, Turtle Tracker and Coral Guardian are open from Open Water level. On the other hand, Wreck Explorer on the Superior Producer requires Advanced level.

Not certified yet? Our introductory dives for beginners also start from the shore, where you can stand, from $103 per person.

Our approach

We run only one session per half-day. As a result, your dive is not cut short by a 45-minute stopwatch, as often happens in large dive clubs. We plan the route together, around what you enjoy: photography, marine biology or wrecks. Finally, your guide stays dedicated to your group alone, in English or in French, or in Spanish with Fabien.

Frequently asked questions