News
A Postcard from Curaçao | Episode 13 | All West Apartments (Watch Video)
Welcome to Episode 13 where we are visiting All West Apartments and Diving in Westpunt with a long-time friend, Sarah Wuensche, who is a passionate travel blogger, a diver and a special contributor to Taucher.net. Although, we cannot experience the incredible sunsets, starry skies, and dive the mind-blowing house reef together right now, our combined passion and experience at this location will hopefully provide you with inspiration to visit Curaçao.
The village of Westpunt is around a 45-minute drive from the capital Willemstad. In Willemstad, tourist shops seemed to be lined up, where one bar is in competition with the next and tour operators are always advertising “better daily offers”. Well, in Westpunt, you will honestly not find this. In fact, it is completely the opposite.
Located behind the Curaçao National Park and Mount Christoffel, the selection of possible evening activities is more than manageable. In fact some excellent restaurants could be even considered hideaways, such as Sol Food and Sunshine’s Getaway, where you can watch the sunset while enjoying the tasty dishes in the wonderful company of ex-pats. Then, when you wake up to stretch your legs, make coffee and ease into your day, you will undoubtedly be visited by exotic birds waiting to get a piece of the fresh fruit at your breakfast table. Bottom line, the clock ticks at a slower pace in Westpunt where the common thread seems to be of, no hassle and no stress.
It is the same with scuba diving and snorkeling. Only a few steps separate the well-secured dive locker and drying room of All West Apartments and Diving (managed by GO WEST Diving) from the large house reef called Playa Piskadó. The impressive clear view is convincing as soon as you descend. Again, and again one hears about coral bleaching and dead reefs. This information was apparently not transmitted via social media channels to this reef: colorful sponges grow in competition, corals claim their place and Damselfish vehemently defend their territory from the intruders, while the majority of the resident fish world remains completely unimpressed.
Travel Tip: Green Flashes are real! Start the BBQ and grill comfortably while watching the inconceivable sunset from your own terrace with your favorite beverage. Here, you will enjoy the sound of the waves lapping against the cliffs and with a little luck, you might even see dolphins playing on the horizon. All the while, the silhouettes of the fishermen slowly disappear into the dimming brightness of that big descending ball, that possibly could become that elusive flash of green. That is what life is all about in Westpunt. The freedom to enjoy and to discover – whenever and wherever you want without prejudice or concern.
Located below All West Apartments and Diving – Playa Piskadó (also known as Playa Grandi) is a working fishermen’s beach that is home to turtles, a statue of King Neptune and an interesting, vibrant reef. Due to its proximity to the West point of the island, the reef is mostly hard corals and usually teeming with hundreds of types of fish.
Neptune’s Kingdom, located at Playa Piskadó, is an inspiring scuba diving or snorkeling experience on Curaçao as the regal King Neptune watches over his underwater kingdom at the top of the drop-off, and is a must-do photo opp.
For years, the local fishermen have been cleaning and selling fish at this beach which is also a Fisherman’s Wharf. These daily activities resulted in a group of sea turtles feeding on the remains of the fish and becoming residents at the beach. If you are lucky, you may see trigger fish and larger pelagics, more common on the wild North side, and rare on the protected South side.
Nowadays, Playa Piskadó has become a popular spot for our island’s visitors and snorkeling ‘with’ the turtles is in high demand. BUT before you get in the water, we would like to invite you to first read the signs and information made available at the beach by Sea Turtle Conservation Curacao.
Travel Tip: Please respect our sea turtles and our local fishermen at Playa Piskadó. Do not touch nor feed the turtles, do not chase after them but respect their natural environment and help us conserve this beautiful and unique experience.
All West Apartments and Diving is simply a picture-perfect postcard: The light breeze lets the palm trees sway in front of turquoise water and further out, the deep blue color certainly testifies to the nearby reef edge. Children of all ages will have a great time on the small sandy beach, while the adults wait for the approaching sunset with a cocktail in hand. It is beautiful all over the world – but nowhere is it more beautiful than here in Westpunt, at All West Apartments and Diving.
Tune in for Episode 14, when we are visiting the Curaçao Sea Aquarium, diving at Shipwreck Point then descending into the unknown depths with Substation Curacao beyond recreational dive limits.
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.
Special thanks to Sarah Wuensche and Taucher.net for their contribution to this wonderful postcard from Curaçao.
Ho Ho Ho! Vobster Quay’s recording-breaking charity Santa diving event returns on Sunday 15th December 2024 for another round of festive fundraising frivolities. Run in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes, this ever-popular annual fundraising event aims to raise sack-loads of cash for these two very deserving charities.
Divers of all levels are invited to grab their Santa outfits – and as much festive cheer as they can muster – and head down to Vobster Quay near Mells, Somerset for a mass sponsored Santa dive in aid of charity. In previous years, the event has attracted divers from the far corners of the UK to join in the festive merriment for a final festive dive before the Christmas and New Year break. Back in 2015, the event smashed the world record for the most Santa divers with 188 divers taking to the waters donning their festive finery – a record that remains unbeaten to this day!
Vobster Santas isn’t just about setting records – it’s also about raising some serious cash for charity. Vobster Quay encourages all divers to get into the spirit of the season to raise much-needed funds for two very deserving charities – the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes.
Through individual sponsorship and online donations, divers can invite their friends, family and work colleagues to sponsor them to plunge into the balmy waters of Vobster Quay dressed in full festive finery. Since the very first Santa dive in 2007, the event has raised over £52,000 for charity. “It’s been over 17 years since the very first charity Santa dive took place at Vobster Quay and every year the event just keeps getting bigger and better” enthused Vobster Quay owner, Amy Stanton.
“Vobster Santas is a great way for divers to say a massive thank you to the both the RNLI and Help For Heroes – two very deserving charities close to our hearts. We’re immensely proud of all that Vobster Santas has achieved and hope that even more divers will join this year’s event on Sunday 15th December. I’m confident that we can make Vobster Santas 2024 the biggest yet!”.
Divers wishing to participate can get involved by simply registering their attendance at
www.vobster.com/event-vobstersantas.php.
Blogs
Dive into Adventure at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa: The Ultimate Diving Destination in the Maldives
Tucked away in the remote northern Haa Alifu Atoll, Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa is a premier destination for anyone seeking an unforgettable underwater experience. With over 30 dive sites to explore, divers of all levels can witness the unique and mesmerising beauty of the underwater world. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or new to the sport, Hideaway offers an exceptional diving adventure that is not to be missed.
Explore the Beauty Beneath the Surface
Hideaway is perfectly situated near some of the most spectacular dive sites in the Maldives. The dive school and team at Hideaway offer a very personalised experience to ensure each diver gets an interactive, immersive experience.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Unique dive spots such as Theefaridhoo Thila (Heaven and Hell) as one of the 50 best dive sites in the whole of the Maldives, known for its beautiful soft coral gardens.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
As the resort is located next to a channel which gives guests surprise visits from eagle rays, manta rays, guitar sharks and more.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
One of the standout features of diving in the Haa Alifu Atoll is the abundance of rare and exotic marine species. The area is known for sightings of whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, and a variety of colorful reef fish. Diving at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa offers a rare opportunity to encounter these creatures in their natural habitat, creating lifelong memories for guests.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Whether you’re exploring deep coral gardens, dramatic overhangs, or vibrant reef walls, each dive offers something new and exciting. The visibility in the Maldives is exceptional, often exceeding 30 meters, making it ideal for both underwater photography and general exploration.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Diving for All Levels
At Hideaway, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the thrill of diving. That’s why we cater to divers of all levels, from beginners to experienced professionals. Our professional dive center, led by expert instructors, offers a range of courses and guided dives. If you’re new to diving, you can start with an introductory course that will teach you the basics of scuba diving in a safe and controlled environment.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
For more experienced divers, we offer advanced dive courses and guided excursions to some of the more challenging dive sites. Our instructors are knowledgeable and passionate about the local marine life, ensuring that every dive is not only safe but also informative and enjoyable.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Exclusive Diving Offer
To make your stay even more unforgettable, Hideaway is offering an exclusive diving package designed to enhance your experience both above and below the water. When you book a minimum 7-night stay, you’ll receive:
- 35% discount on room rates.
- Complimentary diving: 3 dives per person for 2 guests, allowing you to experience the beauty of the Maldives underwater world.
- Free meal plan upgrade: enjoy a complimentary upgrade from Bed & Breakfast to Half Board, or from Half Board to Full Board. Guests who prefer the White Platinum Plan (WPP) can avail it at a discounted rate.
This incredible offer provides the perfect opportunity to experience world-class diving while enjoying all the luxury and comfort that Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa is known for.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Combinable Offers for Even More Value
This diving offer can also be combined with our Anniversary and Honeymoon offers, allowing you to create the perfect celebration package. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone or simply seeking a romantic getaway, this offer ensures that you can enjoy the best of both worlds – luxurious accommodations and unforgettable diving adventures.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Terms & Conditions
- This offer is available exclusively for bookings made through the official Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa website using a specific booking code.
- The offer cannot be combined with other promotions available on the website or through other channels, nor can it be redeemed for cash.
- All dives are subject to weather conditions, ensuring the safety and enjoyment of all guests.
- Black-out dates: This offer is not available from 24th December 2024 to 9th January 2025.
To book this exquisite offer, use the Promo Code: SCUBA24FD
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Hideaway is not just a resort; it’s a sanctuary for those seeking peace, adventure, and luxury. With spacious villas, private pools, and world-class dining options, the resort offers everything you need for a perfect holiday. From tennis, golf, gym, cycling to the exquisite underwater activities, unique dining options, Hideaway has something for everyone. And for diving enthusiasts, it provides an unparalleled opportunity to explore some of the most beautiful dive sites in the world.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Our dive center is fully equipped with state-of-the-art gear, ensuring that every dive is safe, comfortable, and enjoyable. Our instructors are passionate about the underwater world and are eager to share their knowledge with you, whether it’s your first dive or your 100th.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
The Ultimate Dive Adventure Awaits
If you’re looking for an unforgettable diving holiday in the Maldives, look no further than Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa. With over 30 dive sites, unique marine life, and exclusive offers, we provide the ultimate underwater experience. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply seeking adventure, our diving package offers exceptional value and incredible memories.
Book now through our official website to take advantage of this exclusive offer and prepare for the dive adventure of a lifetime.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Call: +960 650-1515
Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
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