Number 11 in a series of inspirational postcards from our friends at Dive Curacao.

Welcome to Episode 11 where we are visiting the Blue Bay Curacao, a 220 hectare plantation, that is a Golf and Beach Resort with one of the most beloved beaches on the island located close to the fishermen’s village of Sint-Michiel (Boca Sami), north-west of Willemstad.

Understandably, many think that the name Blue Bay was chosen because of the striking blue water in the bay. The truth is that this alluring part of Curaçao was already named ‘Blaauwbaai’ (Blue Bay in Dutch), after Anno Blaauw, the owner at the time, where he grew limes, oranges and – to make the name even more appropriate – the blue pigment indigo.

Over the years, the plantation has had its share of different owners that dates to the 1800’s when it was occupied and plundered by French pirates.  In the 20th century, it became the property of the Jacobs family, who used it as a farm and then, during the Second World War, American soldiers manned cannons at Blue Bay to shoot at German submarines.

Then, in the early 1990’s, a local development group purchased the plantation from the Jacobs family and built the first infrastructure. By 1997, the developer, Mr. Steve Raspoort saw the area’s enormous potential and step by step, he established a thriving resort and golf course. Then, in 2005 under the guidance of Mr. Sepp Koster, they continued realizing the original vision of Mr. Raspoort to create a welcoming place where his life was enjoyed to the fullest. Blue Bay has since grown tremendously to become a household name on Curaçao, and in the Caribbean.

Travel Tip:  At Blue Bay you can spend a day relaxing on the white sandy beach underneath a palm tree, have a swim in the Caribbean Sea, explore one of the two coral reefs while diving or snorkeling, play golf at the 18-hole golf course or end your day at the beach with a drink at the Sunset Bar & Grill, while looking at the dazzling sunset.

The appealing white sandy beach at Blue Bay is a popular destination for sun worshipers largely due to the azure water, waving palm trees and the boundless cocktails that are served with a smile. But, this location is also an incredible launching area for some of the best snorkeling and shore diving on Curaçao because just offshore is an impressive coral reef that is lauded by scuba divers and snorkelers for its ease and accessibility.

To experience an intense feeling of freedom below the waves, Blue Bay is an attractive location where you can learn to scuba dive, freedive or snorkel at Blue Bay Dive and Watersports, a PADI 5 Star IDC Center that advovates environmnetal safe practices .

“We love the ocean, and we want to do what we can to protect it for the future. As divers we see the damage that human activity is having on the ocean environment more clearly than anyone else and we have realised that it is time for us to make changes to prevent further damage,” says Mick Bosman, Managing Director at Blue Bay Dive & Watersports.

Mick went on to say: “That is why we pledged to continue the monthly Dive Against Debris cleanups at our adopted house reefs, why we assist & support the great work of Sea Turtle Conservation Curacao and why we continually advovate best practices for sustainability from Project AWARE.  I believe that together we can make a difference here in Curaçao by utilizing our network of divers to inspire locals, tourists and other dive professionals to take action and spread awareness”.

Blue Bay Dive and Watersports also offers fun guided shore or boat dive but you will need to prepare yourself to be visually overwhelmed by colorful fish, delicate corals and an endless blue space that will surround you.

The house reef, plus Blue Bay Wall and Blue Bay Garden are stunningly beautiful and right on the doorstep. You can literally walk straight from the beach into another universe.  By swimming five minutes from the beach and you will start to see multi colored corals and a mindblowing amount of biodiversity in fish varieties.  Another 15 minutes out and you’ll encounter a coral density nearing 100 percent — meaning the coral covers the entire ocean floor — plus sponges and sea fans galore.

Travel Tip:  If you love sunsets then you need to experience “The Blue C”, a 60-foot luxury catamaran, because sunsets on the ocean are even more special than from shore. This 2-hour trip is a great way to see Curacaos lovely shoreline from another angle.

Whether you are a beginner or highly experienced, Blue Bay Dive and Watersports will be at your service with friendly staff that are focused not only on your personal safety and enjoyment but also on preserving the environment for many generations to come.  Scuba diving or snorkeling provides an extraordinary feeling of freedom and there is no better place to explore this underwater world than at Blue Bay Dive and Watersports.

Tune in for Episode 12 where will be visiting Jan Thiel Beach, a popular Curaçao beach that is known for more than it’s clear blue water plus we will be diving the wonderful house reef with the on-site PADI dive operator, Dive Center Scuba Do.

We hope you have enjoyed this Postcard from Curaçao and we also hope to see you soon.  Don’t forget to subscribe to our mailing list and to the Dive Curaçao YouTube Channel to be automatically notified.

Sincere Love from Curacao,

Bryan Horne, Dive Curacao

Tilo and Yvonne Kuhnast, Nature Pics Films

Videos produced and edited for Dive Curacao in cooperation with Nature Pics Films.  Photography of “The Blue C” courtesy of Blue Bay Dive and Watersports, taken by Gail Johnson Photography.