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A Postcard from Curaçao | Episode 8 | Marie Pampoen, Curacao (Watch Video)
Eighth in a series of inspirational postcards from our friends at Dive Curacao.
Welcome to Episode 8 where we are visiting with The Dive Bus and diving their remarkable house reef located at Marie Pampoen to discover more about their “seriously fun” shore diving concept and their on-going commitment to Project AWARE.
Playa Marie Pampoen is a small beach located right next Sunscape Curacao Resort, Beach and Casino. It is highly popular with locals because it is free and located near some large residential areas. Most tourists come here for one reason though, diving! This beach provides you with access to one of the top diving spots on Curacao which not only includes Pierbaai, The Dive Bus house reef, but also the unique Car Pile.
Pierbaai is a beautiful, lively, and healthy reef filled with lots of macro, a huge variety of corals and marine life which also makes it an excellent choice for night diving. As the house reef of The Dive Bus and a Project AWARE Adopted Dive Site (ADS#88), they clear up trash on just about every dive they make and run regular dedicated monthly Adopt a Dive Site clean Up dives plus educate their divers by conducting PADI Dive Against Debris courses.
Mark Pinnell, the Managing Director of The Dive Bus and a PADI Ambassadiver says: “As dive professionals, the importance of reducing and minimizing our impact on the oceans and the reefs, isn’t “new” news for us… As dive professionals, we have a unique opportunity – and responsibility – to positively influence the knowledge and behavior of our divers. This includes making and driving change by inspiring our divers to want to protect our oceans, by helping them understand our impact on our ocean, and how they can help to minimize their individual carbon footprint while maximizing fun.”
Mark went on to say: “It is astonishing how many recreational divers we meet who are unaware of this issue, its seriousness, their individual impact – and how easily they can make a positive difference, instantly. No matter how far away they live from the ocean.”
The Dive Bus, the first PADI Green Star and 100% AWARE Dive Operator on Curaçao has been working closely with Project AWARE to keep their house reef clean for the last 15 years. This unwavering commitment is not only underlined in their Eco-Policies, but it has become a core value of their operation that mandates respect, protection, and a rare generosity to influence their local community.
Travel Tip: for those of you wanting to spend several days or more exploring the great reef diving accessible from shore, ask about their DRIVE and DIVE Packages to enhance your whole Curaçao vacation experience.
Speaking of driving and diving, you need to check out the strangest wreck diving site around Curaçao, the Car Pile. According to Cathy Salisbury who wrote the book DreamWrecks, “If you’ve ever dreamed of simultaneously diving and driving, this is the place for you.”
Mountains of cars have been dumped in one spot to make an artificial and very original reef. It is like diving in the middle of a large car crash without any casualties—the fish manage to swim themselves to freedom. If you are a vintage car collector, do not miss this dive. You might find that part you spent years looking for, such as a radiator cap for your old Mercedes. Car Pile sits in the middle between Oswaldo’s Drop Off to the east and Pierbaai to the west. It is possibly the most unusual traffic jam you are ever likely to see. Cars and trucks dating back to the 1940’s is piled on the wall and are hugely popular with larger pelagic fish and home to a large variety of sponges.
Long story made short, Mark and Suzy Pinnell’s tiny little dive operation, The Dive Bus Curacao, that hit the road in early 2005, with a particular and simple concept of “Seriously fun shore-diving adventures” is truly a Curaçao dive industry innovator that is focused on providing value and quality with fun shore diving, in small, friendly relaxed groups, with a strong focus on taking care of Curacao’s reefs.
Tune in for Episode 9 where will be taking you on an aerial tour to visit a few of the most exquisite beaches and hidden treasures around Curaçao.
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.
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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