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A Postcard from Curaçao | Episode 12 | Jan Thiel Bay (Watch Video)
Welcome to Episode 12 where we are visiting Jan Thiel Bay, 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.
But, before we start talking about curling your toes into the white sand beach, diving into the turquoise water or sinking your teeth into the delicious and mouth-watering food that this location offers, we need to tell about the origins of this tremendous area, also known as Jan Thiel.
The Jan Thiel Plantation, named after Mr. Jan Thielen (original owner), is located east of Willemstad near Caracasbaai. The plantation is comprised of over 1,200 hectares (3,000 acres) and dates to the early 1700’s when it was considered one of Curaçao’s principal salt producers due to the extensive salt pans on the property.
According to Maritime Explorer:
“At one time it also had over 1,000 goats, 450 cattle and was a major producer of fruit for export. Landhuis Jan Thiel and the out-buildings sits high on a ridge that overlooks the salt-lake below. The property extends as far as the shores of what is now Jan Thiel Bay and in the 1920’s, the owners developed one of the first resorts on the island. Today that development has expanded exponentially, and Jan Thiel area is one of the major housing and resort developments on Curaçao. Fortunately, much of the original plantation lands have remained undeveloped and are now a nature preserve which stretches right to the back gate of Landhuis Jan Thiel.”
Travel Tip: This special nature reserve is popular among the Curaçaoans especially on Sundays where the salt pans are often visited by cyclists and walkers to unwind and to get ready for the new week. The salt pans are surrounded by a lot of nature and, also an attraction for flamingos plus several endemic species of birds.
Jan Thiel Beach is one of those places on Curaçao where it all happens because if you are dreaming of sun, sea, shopping and entertainment then this is the place to be! You can easily chill out with an ice cold cocktail, let the chefs of four unique restaurants surprise with you a diversity of culinary delights and of course, dive in to discover a world of entertainment that of course includes incredible shore diving and snorkeling just a few fin kicks from the beach.
To make it even easier to immerse yourself into the surrounding turquoise waters, Dive Center SCUBA DO (one of the oldest established PADI 5-Star Dive Resorts on Curaçao) is located right next to the beach. Since they opened in 1996, the brands reputation for high quality shore diving, an unblemished safety record and excellent customer service has not only become part of the company’s culture but sought after within the European dive and watersports communities.
Jan Geerings, Dive Center SCUBA DO’s Managing Directors says:
“Our company never sits still. We are always looking for ways to improve… to crea te high quality products, set innovation standards, drive sustainable tourism initiatives and provide as much value for our customers as possible so they can have an excellent vacation experience here on Curaçao. That is why we are investing in our future with a fleet of custom boats (75ft sailing catamaran, a 42ft lobster boat and a 38ft sportsman yacht) to expand our operations to include boat diving and day sailing, and partnering with high quality sustainable tourism and accommodation partners that are all centrally located at one of the most beautiful beaches on Curacao, Jan Thiel Beach.”
Travel Tip: If you have something special to celebrate, if you looking for a romantic night out, or just want to do something totally different for Happy Hour with your group of friends then the BlueFinn Sunset Sailing Trip is for you!
The bay at Jan Thiel Beach is very easy to access since it has an uncomplicated set of stairs assisting you in and out of the water. The house reef is a typical Curacao diving and snorkeling site that starts at a sandy plateau leading to gentle sloping drop-off and a healthy reef.
You will find a big variety of hard and soft corals, donkey dung sea cucumbers, long spined black sea urchins, colourful fish and course, turtles. Inside the bay, lies the Strea – a wreck of a sailing boat which is a very nice ending to your dive or snorkeling experience. The best treat, possibly, is where you might encounter a curious squad of squid looking directly into your eyes.
Tune in for Episode 13, where will be heading west to visit with All West Apartments and Diving to experience incredible sunsets, starry skies, and to dive the mind-blowing site called Neptune’s Kingdom with GO WEST Diving.
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.
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
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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