Dive Review of Ocean Encounters West/Lodge Kura Hulanda in
Curaçao/Westpunt

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Ocean Encounters West/Lodge Kura Hulanda, May, 2006, by Dave Padowitz, CA, US . Report 2455.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity	N/A
Dive Operation		Shore Diving
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$	N/A
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	Lodge Kura Hulanda, located at the less developed west end of Curacao, is a casual sister to the outstanding Kura Hulanda hotel in Willemstad. The new resort combines the quality and style of the original Kura Hulanda with proximity to the some of the best diving on the island. The resort had recently opened and a few details needed to be smoothed out - we should have brought snacks for quick breakfasts and confirmed our airport transportation sooner - but it's a beautiful place to stay. Ocean Encounters West is a few steps away from the resort at the end of Playa Kalki beach. It's a new branch of Ocean Encounters, run by the friendly and professional Jim and Lisa. The house reef at Playa Kailki is easily accessible from the beach or the dock at Ocean Encounters West. The reef begins a few dozen yards offshore at 25' with a moderate slope and good diving from 35' down. Close to the beach the reef get heavy use, but it maintains a heathly coral community with diverse and abundant fish populations. Two small turtles, green and hawksbill, lived just off the dock. Playa Kalki was popular for night dives. While there were plenty of fish in shallow water off the beach, the reef edge was a little too deep for easy snorkeling. The famous Mushroom Forest is about 40 minutes away, but it was overshadowed by the spectacular Watamula, a pristine site at the very end of the island, just a few minutes from the resort and dive operation. Watamula had mild current and gradual slope with lush soft corals transitioning to dense and varied hard coral both at a comfortable 35-45' depth. Lodge Kura Hulanda and Ocean Encounters West offer an excellent combination of accomodations and diving.
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	0-25 dives
Where else diving	Cozumel
Closest Airport		Getting There
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny	Seas	calm
Water Temp	81-0°F / 27--18°C	Wetsuit Thickness	3
Water Visibility	60-100 Ft/ 18-30 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	yes
Enforced diving restrictions	500 psi return
Liveaboard?	no	Nitrox Available?	N/A
What I Saw
Sharks	None	Mantas	1 or 2
Dolphins	None	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	1 or 2	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter	N/A	Boat Facilities	N/A
Overall rating for UWP's	N/A	Shore Facilities	N/A
UW Photo Comments	[None]

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Dive Review of Ocean Encounters West/Lodge Kura Hulanda in Curaçao/Westpunt

Ocean Encounters West/Lodge Kura Hulanda, May, 2006,

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Dive Review of Ocean Encounters West/Lodge Kura Hulanda in
Curaçao/Westpunt