Aerial view from the La Palapa dive site. At the caracasbaai

La Palapa

2 Hours
$65 excl. equipment / $90 incl. equipment
La Palapa is one of Curaçao’s most exciting newly discovered dive sites, offering a truly unique experience that stands apart from the island’s more traditional shore dives. Unlike most dives along Curaçao’s coast—where you typically descend along the reef’s drop-off—La Palapa invites you to venture into the open blue first, making this a special journey that feels more like a deep-sea exploration than a typical shore dive. The dive begins with a surface entry from the shore, which can be challenging if the sea is rough. The entrance is rocky and scattered with submerged holes, so caution is advised. Once you’re in the water, instead of heading straight for the reef wall, your guide will lead you on a 5-minute swim into the blue, using a compass to navigate. This midwater swim, often described as “flying,” offers a magical feeling of floating in endless space—an unforgettable sensation for those comfortable in deeper water. Suddenly, rising from the depths ahead, a large pinnacle emerges: the hidden heart of La Palapa. This underwater formation is a magnet for marine life, particularly green sea turtles. Divers frequently spot a dozen or more turtles resting on large barrel sponges, surfacing for air, or gently grazing on seaweed. Observing these peaceful creatures in their natural environment is the true highlight of the dive. Please remember that while the turtles are accustomed to divers, they are protected—feeding and touching them is strictly prohibited. La Palapa is suitable for Open Water certified divers, but we do recommend it only for those who are confident in their buoyancy and comfortable in open water. If you have a fear of depth or are not at ease with swimming over deeper water, this site may not be for you. Safety is always our top priority, and your guide will make sure everyone feels prepared and capable before beginning the dive. La Palapa isn’t just a dive—it’s an experience. A combination of adventure, untouched reef beauty, and close encounters with marine life makes this a must-do for seasoned and curious divers alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

ARE THERE FACILITIES AROUND DIVE CENTER SCUBA DO?

Dive Center Scuba Do is located at Jan Thiel Beach, surrounded by the popular beach restaurants Koko’s, Tinto, Zanzibar and Zest. You are welcome to enjoy a day at the beach, while diving with us. There are also many small shops on the beach, for last minute convenience shopping and right around the corner there is a grocery store.

Kids as young as the age of 8 can start blowing bubbles by scuba diving in shallow water. PADI Seal Team is for kids ages 8 to 10. PADI Master Seal Team member is for kids age 10 and up. The first full course, the PADI Junior Open Water Diver course, is for kids age 10 and up. For all kids’ courses, prior parental approval is required.

In case you want to participate in a course but you take any medications or have a known medical condition, Dive Center Scuba Do needs to receive a special medical statement, signed by a doctor, stating that you are fit for diving. In all other cases, as long as you can answer all questions with a ‘no’ on the Medical Statement, you do not need medical clearance from a doctor. With your signature, you yourself affirm that you are healthy and fit for diving according to the guideline.

Yes, you can. You can start with the Discover Scuba Diving program. This is a half day introduction course where we show you the basics of scuba diving. If you liked the experience, you can continue with us for your PADI Open Water Diver certification!

We have a well-stocked rental area. As long as you can show us a proof of certification, we can rent you all the equipment you need to go out diving.

We always recommend to make a reservation upfront, we will make sure that we reserve a spot for you. Contact us by Email, Phone +5999 7679300 or WhatsApp +5999 525 0332

WHAT ARE YOUR DIVE TIMES?

We are very flexible, so we recommend that you contact our dive center to plan your dive, but generally our diving courses and guided dives start at 8:30 am and at 1:00 pm / 2:00 pm, depending on the distance from the dive site to Scuba Do.

From all the sites on Curacao we selected the top sites and these you will find on our weekly schedule. Have a look here for some of the sites.

At Dive Center Scuba Do we have DIN and INT tanks available for rent

In Curacao, we have great visibility in crystal clear warm waters. Enjoy snorkeling or scuba diving with visibility between 10 to 25 meters (32 to 82 ft)!

The sea is warm enough throughout the year. The water temperature goes from 26 °C (79 °F) in February and March, to 29 °C (84 °F) in September and October. During the whole year, you can dive in a 3-mm shorty, which is available for rent at Dive Center Scuba Do.