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Dive Review of Sunset Divers/Sunset Waters in
Curaçao

Sunset Divers/Sunset Waters, Apr, 2008,

by Mike Frayn, FL, USA (Reviewer Reviewer 3 reports). Report 4050.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 4 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving 5 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments This my second visit to Curacao and my wife's first visit. I stayed at the Hilton last time. The hotel was fine but I was disappointed with the diving on the east end of the island. I visited Habitat Curacao but was hesitant to book there based on reviews I had read. I thought the reviews about Sunset Waters were spot on. We were met at the airport as promised and were greeted by Jim Hunter, the general manager, when we arrived at the resort. He gave us a tour and escorted us to our room. The rooms are clean and basic. Do not expect anything fancy here. He said the theme at the resort was "just ask". We had an ocean view room with a balcony. I would highly recommend booking an ocean view room. The standard rooms would be a disappointment. My wife noticed that the room next to us was larger and not occupied. She asked Jim at dinner if we could move into the room and we were in it the next day. The resort has a very large natural beach with plenty of lounge chairs and shade. There is a waitress who will bring you drinks while on the beach. There is a small nude beach behind a wall at the far end of the beach if you are so inclined.

The food was very good. We had no complaints. They would typically have a buffet breakfast and eggs to order each morning. Lunch and dinner alternated between buffet and a small menu. Both were very good. The bar at the pool was open until 7pm each day. The main bar was open past my bedtime each night. The Savage Turtle bar is open Monday and Thursday. They serve dinner there both those nights. The activities director, a handsome Curacaoan named Chuchoo, charmed the ladies and came up with activities for the children. He also served as the DJ when there wasn't some other form of entertainment in the evening.

The diving is excellent on the west end of the island. Sunset Divers is on property but not managed by the resort. They have two boats. The main boat is a converted fishing boat with two ladders in the back and a swim platform. There was no head on the boat. Entry is a single giant stride exit at the back of the boat. It takes a while to get all the divers in the water because of the layout of the boat. The other boat was a six pack boat; faster, back roll entry and a wet ride. The divemasters were all good natured and very supportive. It typically was no longer than 20 minutes to any dive site. The coral was very healthy and water temperature averaged 79 degrees all week. There was plenty of small fish life but no large fish life. Spotted Drums, Eels and Scorpion fish were pretty plentiful. Dives didn't typically exceed 70 feet but the divemasters were pretty flexible with what you wanted to do.

There were absolutely no hidden costs and everything was included. The only thing you need to do is tip the staff at the end of your stay. I thought the staff was all fantastic; from the waitresses to the maids to the general manager. A great example of the service there was one evening we were talking to Jim, the GM, about restaurants to go on our last night. I asked him about the best way to get back from Willemstad and he said that I could just take his car. I couldn't believe it. This way a really nice trip and I would highly recommend the resort.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 251-500 dives
Where else diving Cayman Islands, Roatan, Utila, Cozumel, Florida Keys, Belize
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather Seas calm
Water Temp 79-80°F / 26-27°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 50-75 Ft/ 15-23 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions They always suggested a maximum depth but divers were free to do their own thing.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles 1 or 2 Whales None
Corals 3 stars Tropical Fish 3 stars
Small Critters 3 stars Large Fish 1 stars
Large Pelagics 1 stars

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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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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