1) Q – I’ve been dreaming of this dive vacation all year but I picked up a cold on the airplane; can I still dive?
A – Diving with a cold is tricky as your sinuses and Eustachian tubes can be clogged, making equalization difficult. If you are intent upon trying, take some non-drowsy decongestant an hour before your dive. Descend slowly; if you feel any discomfort ascend until it goes away. If you’re unable to descend without discomfort, abort your dive. Also be aware of the possibility of a reverse block, which occurs if your decongestant fades at depth, trapping air inside your ears and sinuses during ascent. You can try descending a little to eliminate the reverse block, but if it doesn’t clear you’ll have no choice but to surface, risking significant damage to your ears. In short, you can try diving with a mild cold, but use caution and common sense.

2) Q – Your Open Water lessons are taught from the shore; is it possible to go from a boat?
A – With Curacao-Actief, anything is possible! During your four training dives in open water you’ll spend much of your time working on dive skills and not so much taking in the scenery, so it probably isn’t worth the extra time and expense to go with a boat. Also, the shore dive you’ll be trained on is a very nice site. However, if your heart is set on doing some training dives off a boat, let us know; we’ll make it happen.

3) Q – My legs tend to cramp during a dive; is there anything I can do?
A – Diving uses muscles you don’t ordinarily employ. Try visiting the pool with your fins a few times before your dive vacation. Also drink plenty of fluids before diving, eat a few bananas, and try stretching. Staying loose and hydrated with lots of potassium will go a long way to warding off those painful leg cramps.

4) Q – I’ve heard there is drift diving in Curacao; are the currents safe?
A – A few of our sites do frequently have currents present, making for nice drift dives, particularly during the autumn months. The currents run parallel to the coast so they won’t take you out to sea. There are also many sites that almost never have currents. The beaches along Curacao’s south shore (where all the resorts are located) are situated in calm coves, safe for all levels of swimmers and snorkelers.

5) Q – I’ve been diving for ten years but I still don’t have my advanced certification; will this limit the sites I can visit?
A – Pursuing higher level dive education is always a good idea. But we are aware that many highly experienced divers only possess a basic open water card. You won’t find any dive cops on our reefs saying you’re not trained to dive below 60 feet. As a certified diver you’re expected to know your own limits and stick to them. Unless our guides have a reason to doubt your abilities, you’re welcome to join us at any location.

6) Q – My daughter just turned 10 and is eager to join us underwater; can we still join you on the 4 day dive safari?
A – Diving with your children is a great way to bond with them and PADI allows kids 10 and over to be certified. If your daughter is properly trained there’s no reason she cannot join you. However, kids aged 10 – 12 are limited to a depth of 40 feet or less, as there are unanswered questions about the effects of nitrogen build up at deeper depths on growing bones. This does mean that some of our deeper sites will not be suitable for you, but we can certainly tailor a personalized package for your family.

7) Q – I love boat diving but am prone to seasickness; any tips?
A – Though the fish tend to appreciate a seasick diver, no one else does, least of all the diver. Often the boat trips along Curacao are calm and you shouldn’t have any issues. But the sea doesn’t always cooperate. There are a number of medical routes to take, including Dramamine and wristbands which emit mild electric pulses. I recommend asking your doctor for the latest innovations; make sure to tell her you’re planning to dive. Aside from that avoid excessive alcohol the night before, eat a light meal an hour prior to departure, drink plenty of fluids, stay outside and in the middle of the boat, and keep your eyes on a fixed point like the shore or horizon. Try to be the first one in and last one out of the water as the boat rocks the most once it is stationary. Failing all else, if you must get sick, do so on the leeward side of the boat. Be careful if you still feel nauseous once you go down; vomiting underwater can be dangerous. Remain calm, leave your regulator in place, and swim slowly to the surface with your buddy.

8) Q – My husband and son are avid divers, but I prefer to stay on the surface; is it okay for non-divers to join the dive safaris?
A – Of course! Snorkelers and sightseers are always welcome, both on the boat and on our shore diving excursions, though you will have to pay the snorkelers’ fee. If you’re planning to come along let us know so we can reserve space for you in the boat and in our vehicles.

9) Q – After watching Jaws and Open Water I’m a little paranoid about sharks; are there many sharks in Curacao?
A – Don’t believe Hollywood! Sharks almost never attack scuba divers; on those extremely rare occasions when they do it’s usually a mistake in poor visibility conditions or because the diver was spear fishing. Our waters are crystal clear, but unfortunately we have almost no sharks on the south side of Curacao, where all of our resorts are located; you’ll be lucky to see a single nurse shark during your stay. The rough, sparsely inhabited north coast does have some bigger sharks. For those interested in visiting them, we can arrange a trip, weather permitting.

10) Q – Dolphins are my favorite animals; what are the chances I can swim with them?
A – If you visit Curacao’s Seaquarium, 100%! Otherwise you need a bit of luck. Swimming with wild dolphins is indeed an extraordinary experience. The best chance of swimming with dolphins is from September through January, when large pods visit the south coast for several days at a time. This is also the best opportunity to spot whale sharks and whales, which follow baitfish in from the deep waters to our coast. You have a better chance of snorkeling with dolphins than scuba diving, as they don’t seem to like the bubbles and scuba gear is cumbersome and slows you down. Often when a pod approaches a dive boat, the captain will let you get in with your snorkel gear and you can hear them clicking and whistling as they swim around to investigate you. You have a good chance of seeing dolphins at Klein Curacao.

11) Q – Is it true you can get sunburned through a T-shirt?
A – Yes, especially if the shirt is wet. Curacao is close to the equator and the sun is very strong. Even on overcast days you can burn here. Scuba divers need to wear plenty of waterproof sun block on their face, while snorkelers should lotion up their backs as well, as the sun burns straight through the top layer of water. A hat, sunglasses, some loose fitting light-colored clothing, and plenty of lotion are essential for an outdoor day on the island. Don’t try and get that tropical tan on your first day or your second day will be a painful one!

12) Q – How long does it take to complete an Open Water Course?
A – The entire course can usually be completed in 3 ½ days. It’s very important that your read the entire book and answer the knowledge reviews at the end of each chapter before coming to class. This will save you and everyone else time and allow you to quickly move into the water, where you want to be. (For more information, see the listings under Dive Courses.)

13) Q – I would love to try diving but feel a little claustrophobic; is this an issue?
A – Many uninitiated people feel a little claustrophobic when they think about scuba diving. Most often it’s the thought of all the heavy gear and being limited to breathing through the regulator. Once they are comfortable with their gear they quickly realize that scuba diving is anything but claustrophobic, as diving allows three-dimensional movement unlike anything experienced on land. So if you’re just a little nervous, we’ll work you through it. But if this is a strong phobia, you will need to discuss it with your doctor and get her okay before enrolling in any PADI courses.

14) Q – I do most of my diving in the Great Lakes; do I really need a wetsuit in Curacao?
A – The water temperature at depth ranges from 79 – 84 degrees (F) throughout the year. Though this sounds warm, it is significantly colder than your body temperature. Water is an excellent conductor and during long dives it will pull a lot of heat from your body. There are many factors which determine an individual’s susceptibility to hypothermia. Divers with more body fat have greater natural insulation and tend not to cool off as quickly as skinny divers. Some divers insist on wearing a full length 5 mil with a hood, though most divers are quite comfortable wearing a full length 3 mil or shorty, and others seem to be quite comfortable diving here with just a bathing suit (or sometimes less). For protection against accidental bushes against the reef or the occasional jellyfish, we recommend at least wearing a shorty or Lycra body suit. Wetsuits can always be rented.

15) Q – What do you recommend for diving in Curacao, an open-heal or full-foot fin?
A – This depends on the type of diving you plan to do. For boat dives either fin is fine, though the full-foot design offers slightly less drag in the water and also does away with two pieces of equipment – both your booties. If you plan on making a lot of shore dives with us you should ideally have an open-heal fin. Some of the shore dives require crossing over coral rubble. With an open-heal fin you can carry your fins and walk in and out of the water wearing your booties and not have to awkwardly shuffle in and out wearing your full-foot fins.

16) Q – My wife and I just bought a full set of new dive gear and cannot wait for your dive safari.
A – Congratulations on the new gear! A quick word of advice. Before using your new masks clean the inside and outside of the lens thoroughly with toothpaste to remove the factory residue, otherwise no amount of defog or saliva will keep them from fogging during your much anticipated first dive. Regarding the other new gear, if possible try it out in a pool before your first group dive in Curacao. All gear is slightly different, and you’ll feel much more comfortable once you’re familiar with the new buckles, releases, and adjustments.

17) Q – What is mask squeeze, and is it dangerous?
A – Mask squeeze occurs when the pressure outside your mask exceeds that inside your mask. To prevent this, simply blow into your mask through your nose every now and again as you descend. Mask squeeze is generally not dangerous, though severe cases can leave you with some unsightly discolorations on your face for a few days.

18) Q – Can I dive with contact lenses?
A – Diving with contact lenses is not a problem. During training you will be asked to remove and replace your mask underwater, but you can keep your eyes closed and your instructor will let you know when it’s okay to open your eyes once you’ve cleared your mask of water. You can also buy a mask with prescription lenses built in and dive without the contacts.

19) Q – Can I dive with glasses?
A – Certain mask designs allow you to wear your glasses beneath your mask. You should look into buying a well fitting mask for this purpose, as finding a rental mask like this will be difficult. You can also buy a mask with prescription lenses built in and dive without the glasses. Many divers with nearsightedness (up to -4) have found that they see well wearing only the mask and not their glasses because the mask naturally magnifies objects.  

20) Q – I’m looking at buying an underwater camera for the trip; do you recommend digital, film, or how about those disposables?
A – Taking underwater pictures is a blast, and there’s nothing better than pulling out the close-ups you snapped of that sea turtle when it’s sleeting outside your house in February. Digital has many advantages, including the instant gratification of seeing your shots right after you take them, the photo-shop factor, and the fact that you can take, edit, and delete hundreds of shots on a single dive. Some purists still insist on film, and they take fantastic pictures. With film you also don’t suffer the digital delay which can cost you your award winning shot of the green moray snapping up the squirrel fish. Regarding the disposables, make sure you buy one rated to a decent depth – some are only good to 10 feet. Generally you get what you pay for, but if you get close to your subjects and the lighting is decent you might end up with some great shots.

21) Q – We’re only coming down for three days but would like to dive as much as possible; how long do we have to wait before flying after our last dive?
A – Because airplanes aren’t pressurized to sea level, you should wait at least 12 hours before flying after surfacing from your last dive to avoid an increased chance of DCS from the residual nitrogen still off-gassing in your tissues. If you have been making multiple dives each day, you should wait at least 18 hours before flying.

22) Q – My dive buddies enjoy some stiff rum drinks after diving but I’ve heard this isn’t safe.
A – Drinking alcohol after diving is certainly much safer than drinking before diving, which should never be done. Drinking alcohol shortly after diving increases your susceptibility to decompression issues, as alcohol inhibits your body’s ability to off-gas nitrogen. If you’ve been making multiple or deep dives, it is certainly not a good idea to pop out of the water and start throwing back rum punches. But if you wait a few hours this shouldn’t pose any significant risk. After all, tropical drinks are part of the island experience. But be careful, diving the next day with a hangover is not much fun.

23) Q – What are the age limits for scuba diving?
A – Scuba diving is a sport that can be enjoyed by three or more generations of family. Children can get their junior certification at age 10. Kids 10 –12 are limited to a depth of 40 feet, 12 – 14 are limited to 70 feet. At age 15 you can upgrade (without further course work) to an adult certification. There is no high end on age limits. We’ve had divers join us who are well into their 70’s, and we’ve had families diving with children, parents, and grandparents. In short if your kids feel ready they probably are, and if you’ve celebrated your 80th birthday and still feel up to diving, more power to you!

24) Q – I must admit that I am not quite in the athletic shape I used to be; is this a problem on your dive safaris?
A – Most of us aren’t in the shape we used to be! A few of our dive locations do require reasonable physical fitness, some because of a fairly long surface swim to the reef and others because they are quite deep. But as long as you don’t have any medical issues with diving, we can create a dive safari to match your abilities. There are plenty of easy shore dives, and it doesn’t take an Olympiad to step off the back of a dive boat.

25) Q – What can we expect during Curacao’s rainy season?
A – The rainy season on Curacao starts in early September and lasts through January. Usually this means four or five rainstorms per week lasting an hour or two and followed by mostly clear skies for the rest of the day. Occasionally there might be a day or two of enduring clouds and rain, but this is rare. During the rainy season the visibility underwater is slightly less than the rest of the year, but ordinarily still over 80 feet. It is extremely rare that dives need to be aborted or delayed due to lightning or foul weather.

26) Q – Last year we had to cancel our trip to Jamaica due to the hurricane; how often do you get hurricanes on Curacao?
A – Happily very rarely! Curacao lies well south of the hurricane belt and is usually not directly affected by storms during the hurricane season. Of course weather is unpredictable, but Curacao usually goes decades between close calls with hurricanes.

27) Q – My question isn’t answered here.
A – This list is a work in progress and constantly updated. If your question isn’t answered here or on another part of our site, please send it to info@curacao-actief.com, we’ll answer it personally and add it to the list.