Not a lot of people have heard of Pierbaai Reef although its popularity is growing as more and more people discover this beautiful dive site for themselves... Other dive shops travel from miles away to dive and teach at this stunning location...

Pierbaai Reef is the same reef system as Oswaldo's Drop-off (which is only accessible by Breezes guests) BUT it's protected from the strong currents often present at Oswaldo's Drop Off by a break in the reef at Car Pile, providing an easier and altogether more beautiful diving experience...

Pierbaai Reef is a massive dive area: think of it as an enormous underwater park. You can dive here every day for a week and not see the same things twice. Besides stunning corals, sponges and a host of vibrant fish-life, sea horses, frog fish and turtles can be spotted here by those with great eyes (or great luck)

Pierbaai is the Dive Bus's house reef so we know it like the back of our hands and know where the cool critters hang out... usually at least ;o)  It's also a perfect teaching location for all levels of divers including PADI Specialty courses.

» Check out more Pierbaai photos here.

Location:
Next door to Breezes hotel and Seaquarium beach, 10 mins from Piscadera area.

Facilities:
Bathrooms, rinse tank, shower, lockers and on-site local restaurant for drinks, lunch and/or dinner

Beach: 
Small, sandy, locals’ beach, lots of fishing boats, lots of character.

Shade: 
Plenty at the Dive Bus Hut and restaurant plus palm trees and picnic benches on the beach.

Shore entry: 
Couldn't be easier...just walk the few feet from the gearing up area. Booty fins are recommended but not essential.

Swim out: 
1 minute if you’re real slow…

Dive:
A lively, healthy reef with lots of macro stuff to look out for. Gently sloping. Totally different to the Breezes 'end' of the reef.  Excellent night dive location also.

Non-divers: 
Good snorkeling, hang out in the restaurant or chill out on the beach and watch the fishermen and locals at work and play... Or rent a jet ski right next door.

What’s so special?:
Easy, pretty dive, great spot for your try out or refresher dive if it's been a while, as well as all level of dive courses. LOTS of marine life. Perfect for photographers, divers of all levels ...and a GREAT night dive location.

» Check out more Pierbaai photos here.

Divers' opinions:

"I’ve been on at least a half dozen dive sites on Curacao that the dive operator bragged had the best safety stop in town (meaning there was lots to see in just 15’ of water) but they were wrong, all of them. Mark doesn’t brag (much); he doesn't have to ...the reef [at Pierbaai] does all the talking for him.

Turn left just after exiting his swim area and you’ll find some of the most diverse marine life anywhere on the island – and in just 15’ of water. One of these weekends I’ve promised myself to go back and spend an entire tank – maybe two – in that shallow area, in part to brush up on UW photo skills but just as much because I never run out of things to marvel over, even after what amounts to a 15-minute safety stop (the swim back along the sea wall when returning from Car Pile). One caution: as you might expect of an exposed shallow, there typically is a bit of surge in that area. You might want to consider whether the kids are up to it."

Tenesse Slim