News
A Postcard from Curaçao | Episode 11 | Blue Bay Curacao (Watch Video)
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.
Blogs
Join Pharaoh Dive Club for Red Sea Splash Family Summer Camp in August 2024
3rd AUGUST 2024 – 1 or 2 WEEK PROGRAMMES
Daily water programme with Snorkelling & Scuba Diving.
Beginners or qualified, something for all.
Leave the kids with the Splash Team for days of Excitement, Fun & Adventure!
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
There are various options for accommodation with options for 2, 3, 4 or 5 guests.
Eco Huts provide accommodation for families of up to 4. The best option to enhance the adventure and closest to camping with basic facilities. For August we will provide central air cooling for all the Eco Huts.
Deluxe Chalets are only suitable for 2 guests. Fully air conditioned rooms with private bathroom and other facilities.
Boutique Rooms are available for families of up to 5.
Individual bespoke rooms fully air conditioned with private bathroom and other facilities.
Eco Huts: £675 per adult / £425 per child / Under 8 FREE of charge
Deluxe Chalet: £830 per adult / £505 per child / Under 8 FREE of charge
Boutique Room: £925 per adult / £550 per child / Under 8 FREE of charge
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
This is a truly unique opportunity to have a Family Desert Adventure totally away from it all! You will be based at the remote Roots Red Sea on the coast of the Egyptian Eastern Desert, 140km south of Hurghada city.
Red Sea Splash main focus is Snorkelling & Scuba Diving but that’s not all, we provide a rounded week of activities in support.
Pool& Field Games – Arts & Crafts
Marine Biology Workshops
Cultural Activities – Orienteering Adventures
Roots Red Sea have established strong links with the local communities of Hamerwain & El Quseir affording our guests to have a true taste of the local culture, SPLASH CAMP embraces this opportunity and bring in the local children to join in the fun with our adventure seekers.
During the day, families are welcome to take part in all activities together or the kids can be left with the SPLASH CAMP team while the parents enjoy the facilities or go diving themselves!
At the end of the day, its family time while the SPLASH CAMP team take a break. For those with the energy, there are family evening activities planned a few evenings.
Open Air Movie Night – Desert Star Gazing Walk & Talk
El Quseir Evening City Tour
The second week is very special, we head off on the Big Blue for a liveaboard safari around Fury Shoals.
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
U-8 Splash Club
Sadly we can’t offer Scuba Diving to the Splash Club but we can have lots of fun Snorkelling & Free Diving!
Splash Club includes:
Certified Snorkel Course – Marine ID Games – Intro to Free Diving
Arts & Craft Sessions – Adventure trails – Cultural Playtime – Pool Games
U-12 Explorer Club
In addition to an exciting snorkelling and Free Diving Programme in the Splash Club we can take you under the water on SCUBA to a whole new world of fun and wonder. If you are under 10 your first breath under water will be as a Bubblemaker and continue with daily Seal Team Missions. From 10 we will complete a Discover Scuba Diving experience in the amazing Red Sea. Alternatively we offer a full junior certification programme to become an international qualified Scuba Diver.
U-16 Adventurer Club
For qualified Scuba Divers regardless of age it’s the Adventurer Club and exploration of the local reefs and marine life. There will be 2 dives every day with the Open Ocean marine field station team who will introduce you to Red Sea marine life and workshops on marine research. Alternatively there are opportunities to continue your scuba diving certifications with our instructional team.
Parents are welcome to join the club activities and join the courses.
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
Big Blue might seem like the new kid on the block, but the team behind the highly acclaimed liveaboard is far from that. They have been running Red Sea safaris since the late 1980’s and were in fact part of the early pioneers who ventured out to the unknown on vessels that in today’s world, really shouldn’t have left the harbour! It’s that experience and the years of operating the award-winning Roots Red Sea resort which truly set Big Blue apart from the crowd!
Large lounge area, spacious sun deck and terrace deck.
Airy restaurant with five tables with up to six chairs per table, serving a varied and delicious menu with special dietary requirements catered for.
The spacious cabins have side by side beds and a large walk in wet bathroom.
Ample dive deck for divers & snorkelers.
Safety is everyone’s priority, whether you are relaxing on board, swimming, snorkelling or diving.
On board Big Blue is fitted with smoke alarms, emergency lighting and a fire alarm system. The lower corridor has a full-size door fire exit at the bow and open stairs to the stern. There are evacuation plans in each room along with life jackets, glass breaker tool and a fire extinguisher.
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
Red Sea Splash at Fury Shoals is a very rare opportunity to get involved with marine biology expedition for children and adults. Open Ocean biologists are on board to provide fascinating and entertaining facts about the marine life you will see. The team will provide workshops on marine life identification and survey methods both of which, should you wish, you will have the chance to put into practice during your safari.
The week is open to snorkelers, scuba divers and non divers too!
Fury shoals is perfect for first time mariners as it offers plenty of protection from the weather.
We board at Port Ghaleb on Saturday evening and prepare to set sail early on Sunday morning.
Heading south, our first day will be diving the reefs of Abu Dabbab before sailing overnight to reach our ultimate destination the Fury Shoals.
Here we will spend four days swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving amazing reefs. This includes guaranteed DOLPHIN encounters at Sataya Reef! After the last dive we haul anchor and head back to Abu Dabbab for our final two dives before disembarking our boat BIG BLUE.
Camp Extension Cost*
Adult £650 per adult
Under 16 £350 per child
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
FURTHER INFORMATION – INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM
TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
Blogs
Meet Pure Dive Resort: Your Gateway to Unforgettable Diving in Bali, Indonesia
If you’re passionate about the underwater world, listen up! We’ve got an incredible opportunity for you to experience the vibrant reefs and majestic marine life of Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia.
info@purediveresort.com / +62 811 3999852 / www.purediveresort.com
Pure Dive Resort isn’t just another dive centre; it’s a team of experts dedicated to providing world-class scuba diving and freediving adventures around Nusa Penida, Lembongan, Ceningan, and even Bali.
info@purediveresort.com / +62 811 3999852 / www.purediveresort.com
Whether you’re a seasoned diver or completely new to the sport, Pure Dive Resort has something for you:
For certified Divers: Discover stunning dive sites, encounter manta rays, seasonal mola-mola (sunfish), and a dazzling array of marine life.
For beginners: Embark on your scuba journey with beginner programs like Try Scuba and Basic Diver, Open Water and Advanced certifications.
Freedivers: Explore the depths on a single breath with guided freediving experiences and courses.
Exclusive Scubaverse Offer: Save on Your Next Adventure
As a valued Scubaverse follower, you get an exclusive 10% discount on any Dive & Stay or Learn & Stay package booked at Pure Dive Resort for 2024. Dive into the crystal-clear waters, explore breath-taking reefs, and create unforgettable memories in this diver’s paradise.
Visit https://www.purediveresort.com/package-offers/ to explore amazing packages and claim your discount with the code: SCUBAVERSE10
info@purediveresort.com / +62 811 3999852 / www.purediveresort.com
Ready to make a splash?
See you in Nusa Penida!
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