Question re: Sunscape Resort in Curacao

[markpost]

Hi everyone. It's been quite a while since I've posted although I've been lurking. Really like the new forum. Anyway the last two years have been tough with a lot going on but finally this summer it looks like we're going to be able to get away on a dive trip again. We were looking for something very reasonably priced and found a good deal with Sunscape and Ocean Encounters in Curacao. The last trip we took a few years ago was at Lions Dive and we had a great time. Due to this year's budget we decided to consider Sunscape and figure since we are still diving with Ocean Encounters it should be pretty good. I seem to remember when we stayed at Lions that we picked up some divers at Sunscape (it was Breezes at the time, I believe). I was wondering if diving with OE from Sunscape will be any different than it was diving with them out of Lions. Basicaly, before I book the trip I want to make sure the boat is not going to be filled with Discover Scuba folks or snorkelers. We would be boooking through a travel agency and booking the 6 day 2-tank boat dive package with unlimited shore diving. The resort itself offers, I believe, a free dive a day maybe for hotel quests that are certified. I want to make sure it's not like diving with Sandals where you bottom time is limited, etc. I'm hoping since it's with OE it won't be any different than it was diving with them from Lions. If anyone has any info I would greatly appreciate it. I was going to call OE on Monday and ask them but thought I would see if anyone here had any experiencewith or info regarding Sunscape. Thanks and it's good to be back on the forum! - Mark

[bobcat]

Mark - I have been to Curacao 9X. Ocean Encounters frequently runs large boats with 12+ divers so its often crowded to say the least. The OE team usually closely manage your dives unless you happen to get with a group of experienced divers and there is a smaller group on the boat. Its hit or miss, you never know how many divers will be there. Ocean Encounters also does the dive operations at Breezes and cruise ships. Breezes and Sandals resorts are the same to me as all inclusive resorts.

If you really want to save money and have the ultimate freedom of diving to the better diving in Curacao, rent a car and stay on the west side of the island and do shore diving on your own schedule vs. a double tank on a dive boat. If you are in decent physical shape and have some dive experience shore diving on your own on Curacao without a guide is quite easy. There are many affordable accomodations on the west end of Curacao including: All West Curacao, Marzul, Playa Lagun. You can use Vrbo.com and All West Curacao websites. There are tank rentals at many locations along the west end of Curacao including: Porto Marie, Casa Abo, Ocean Encounters West, Trunk Divers, Blue Bay. The best dive shop on the West end of Curacao is All West - Formerly named "Ocean Encounters West". Also the shorediving.com website and several local guidebooks and maps are your guide to shore diving Curacao. Any other questions please PM me.

Never heard of SunScape.

[markpost]

Thanks Bobcat. We have been diving with Ocean Encounters before at Lions Dive and liked them. My only concern was if they ran things differently out of Sunscape, which was Breezes until November 2012. Here's the link to the new website http://www.sunscaperesorts.com/curacao/. We may also have my brother and his family with us (non-divers) so the all-inclusive (although not usually my first choice) with the special they have going on is a good choice right now. I appreciate the suggestions and will definitely keep them in mind if not for this trip. - Mark

[Scubanut]

Markpost I stayed at "Princess Beach" with dive friends last October for my first Curacao dive experience. It was good enuf that I'm spending my diving dollars to go there again this October. FWIW, our boat left Princess Beach and then went to Lions to pick up other divers when we were diving south. I don't think you will be disappointed with Sunscape especially if you have nondivers. It'll be even better after all of the extensive renovations that we watched them undertake when we were there.There is a free bus that goes in to town for those not diving. They did take down the trapeze so no circus training on this trip. The all inclusive component makes it the best value going. I met the owner of OE at Our World Underwater and he was very amenable to arranging for my crew to get in an afternoon dive on the day we arrive, making certain that we can check in and that there are tanks for us in case the dive shop is closed. They will give us the key to the shop. That speaks boatloads to me.

[kdzidoc]

Have done both boat and shore diving in Curacao. DO THE SHORE DIVING. Much better time wise, you pick the destination and dive however much you want, or don't. Get a car or truck and lock it. Don't leave anything in sight. We have never been broken into, but wouldn't want to. Enjoy the adventure.

[Scubanut]

Markpost contact this person for ALL of your needs diving or land based. Tell him Randy sent you.
Larry Friedman
US/Canada Sales & Reservations
OceanEncounters Diving
PADI 5 Star IDC and National Geographic Dive Center
Toll-free: 1-877-ScubaEZ (1.877.728.2239) | Tel:754.300.1689 | Fax: 954.678.1864 | Web:www.oceanencounters.com

[markpost]

Scubanut,
Thanks for the info on Sunscape. Hopefully by July most of the renovations will be completed. I'll be at Beneath the Sea and will talk to OE about diving the afternoon we arrive. I would like to get our welcome dive and check-in squared away before we're scheduled to boat dive the next day. We dove with OE at Lions Dive previously and found them pretty accommodating. I'll let you know how the resort is coming along.

Mark

[markpost]

Scubanut,

Thanks for the info. We booked the trip through Deep Blue Adventures but I'll keep this info for future reference.

Mark