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A Postcard from Curaçao | Episode 7 | Bapor Kibrá, Curaçao (Watch Video)
Seventh in a series of inspirational postcards from our friends at Dive Curacao.
Welcome to Episode 7 where we are visiting with Ocean Encounters and LionsDive Beach Resort located in the Bapor Kibrá district of Curaçao, which is just 5 minutes away from the city center of Willemstad.
Bapor Kibrá, which literally translates to “broken ship” is home to one of the best dive sites on the island called Shipwreck Point. This area also has a wide variety of tourism attractions that includes the Curaçao Sea Aquarium Park and Mambo Beach Boulevard which provides many options for entertainment, shopping and of course indulging yourself.
Speaking of indulging yourself, a “natural place” to consider for your next ideal Curaçao vacation is LionsDive Beach Resort. With its warm, casual atmosphere that is set amidst a stunning tropical location, it is the perfect resort for everyone especially if you are a beach-lover, a snorkeler, or an avid scuba diver.
The Forbes Magazine article “The Best Hotels in Curacao” (October 2019) wrote: “To keep the beaches well maintained and beautiful for years to come, the resort operates a green eco-conscious mandate to offer recycling, energy and water conservation, and sustainability through a variety of programs.”
Katja Vogels, one of the owner’s says: “At LionsDive Beach Resort, we actively encourage our guests to discover our beautiful island and the friendly people of Dushi Korsou. We are also fully aware that tourism can only flourish when we respect and improve our natural and social environment. For over 30 years, we have seen it as our responsibility to maintain the highest standards in energy saving, water conservation and waste management. We are an active member within the Curacao community; our staff is recruited locally, and we support various sustainable tourism projects on the island. Coral Restoration Curacao is one of those projects that we are enormously proud of. LionsDive has several coral nurseries installed on the house reef, called Stella Maris, which is a few easy fin kicks away from our beautiful beach that provides a sensational snorkeling experience for our guests.”
“Because of the successful partnership we have with Coral Restoration Curaçao, our sister location, Avila Beach Hotel has also installed coral nurseries too,” says Katja.
LionsDive Beach Resort is built with a typical Dutch-Caribbean style. Located directly on the beach, the 2 and 3 story buildings are all surrounded by beautiful tropical gardens with the water’s edge only footsteps away from your room.
With a warm and friendly Caribbean hospitality, the amazing service is their #1 priority. Their attentive staff is always there for your every need so that you can have a wonderful vacation. You can relax on their shaded private beach, dive in for an exceptional boat or shore dives with Ocean Encounters, train in the 50-meter sports pool, enjoy the many wellness options or just take a relaxing stroll on the adjacent Mambo Beach Boulevard, visiting along the way any one of the 4 onsite bars and restaurants.
Travel Tip: Take advantage of the incredible sunset “Happy Hours” on the beach, at Hemingway Beach Bar & Restaurant or the Chill Beach Bar & Grill, as this is something that you do not want to miss!
Ocean Encounters, the on-site Curacao Tourist Board (CTB) approved Dive Operator, is also committed to ocean conservation and sustainable tourism. Ocean Encounters is not only the founder of Coral Restoration Curaçao but they are also a PADI Green Star Award recipient and regularly conduct Project AWARE “Adopt a Dive Site” underwater clean-up’s on the Stella Maris house reef where they maintain the Coral Restoration Curaçao’s main nursery.
“The significance of the Curaçao Reef Restoration Program is that together as a community here on Curaçao, we are restoring the shallow water reef systems while educating our youth about the importance of protecting and preserving our natural ecosystem,” according to Jeremiah Peek, the Managing Director of Ocean Encounters, who adds: “I believe programs like this help solidify a natural sustainability for future generations.”
Ocean Encounters’ commitment to marine conservation and sustainable tourism is a clear distinguishing factor amongst the dive operators on Curaçao, and this is underlined in their #OEPledge. This pledge is a mandate for positive change through education, awareness and creating a strong eco-friendly presence with green initiatives such as the environmentally safe products sold in their shop and carbon footprint reduction.
The combination of these factors, along with the extraordinary location of LionsDive Beach Resort and the phenomenal choice of regularly scheduled scuba diving activities of Ocean Encounters, creates a unique Curaçao experience that you really need to dive into so that you can feel it for yourself!
Tune in for Episode 8 where will be visiting with The Dive Bus and diving their remarkable house reef at Marie Pampoen to discover more about their “seriously fun” shore diving concept and their on-going commitment to Project AWARE.
We hope you have enjoyed this Postcard from Curaçao and we also hope to see you soon!
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.
Whether you are a beginner or a professional diver – with the three new main regulators from DYNAMICNORD, everyone will find their favourite regulator. They all look super stylish.
Excellent performance with the TR-80
Quality and performance are the be-all and end-all for regulators. It is not for nothing that the TR stands for Tec Reg. The innovative design of the TR-80 guarantees absolute reliability – even in ice-cold waters.
Perfect breathing effort at 0.8 J/l / certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / structural design made of solid brass for best cold protection / membrane-compensated design with dry seal of the first stage / reduced exhalation effort thanks to optimized exhalation membrane and bubble deflector / adjustable Venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort / innovative design of the front cover prevents free-flow in strong currents or when diving with scooters / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 LP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Amazing underwater adventures with the IR-50
The IR-50 is the top regulator for advanced and experienced divers. Natural breathing is the essence of this regulator.
Ideal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / compensated membrane / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort/ outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
The Workhorse – our CS-30
For diving centres and diving beginners – the workhorse stands for strong construction, reliability and robustness. Perfect for your training.
Optimal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /recommended for diving in waters above 10 degrees / non-compensated piston / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) / outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 1 HP and 3 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Octopus OP-30
The OP-30 is the ideal addition to all DYNAMICNORD regulators. It is identical in construction to the CS-30.
The TR-80, IR-50, CS-30 (DIN & INT) regulators and the Octopus OP-30 are available from DYNAMICNORD dealers and in the online store.
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
Renowned anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been released from custody in Greenland after spending five months in detention. Denmark’s Justice Ministry rejected Japan’s request for his extradition, citing insufficient guarantees that his time already served in custody would be credited against any potential sentence.
The 74-year-old Canadian-American was arrested on July 21 in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, when his ship docked to refuel. His arrest was based on a 2012 Japanese warrant related to a 2010 encounter in Antarctic waters. Japan alleged Watson obstructed operations and caused damage to a whaling research ship during efforts to disrupt illegal whaling. Watson has consistently denied these claims, maintaining his commitment to marine conservation.
Denmark, which oversees extradition matters for Greenland, concluded that while the legal conditions for extradition were met, the lack of assurances from Japan regarding time-served credit made extradition untenable.
In a video shared by his foundation, Watson expressed gratitude and relief, saying, “After five months, it’s good to be out… and good to know they’re not sending me to Japan.” He added that the most difficult part of his time in custody was being separated from his two young sons.
Watson is a pioneering figure in marine conservation, known for founding the Captain Paul Watson Foundation in 2022 after decades of activism with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. His bold efforts to defend marine life have earned him widespread support, including from celebrities and conservationists. His work has also been featured in the acclaimed reality TV series Whale Wars.
Watson’s lawyer, Jonas Christoffersen, praised the decision, stating, “We are happy and relieved that Paul Watson is now free.” He added that Watson is eager to reunite with his family and continue his vital work.
The arrest occurred while Watson’s vessel, the M/Y John Paul DeJoria, was en route to the North Pacific with a team of 26 volunteers to intercept a Japanese whaling ship. His foundation described the arrest as politically motivated and emphasized that Watson’s actions were focused on ending illegal whaling practices.
Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after leaving the International Whaling Commission, asserting that whale meat is a cultural tradition. Conservationists, however, continue to challenge these practices, highlighting their impact on marine ecosystems.
Despite the challenges, Watson remains steadfast in his mission to protect marine life and bring attention to whaling practices. His dedication to ocean conservation has made him a globally respected advocate for the environment.
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