Fundiving Curacao

Located in the Jan Thiel area of Curaçao, Fundiving Curacao operates as a PADI 5 Star IDC Dive Resort and Technical Diving Centre. The centre is situated within the grounds of the Papagayo Beach Hotel and Resort, making it easily accessible from Willemstad and the international airport.

Whether you are looking for a relaxed reef flat dive or a challenging technical descent, the centre provides the infrastructure for both recreational and advanced exploration. Their proximity to local amenities, including restaurants and bars, makes it a convenient base for divers staying in the Jan Thiel area.

As a 5 Star IDC Dive Resort, the centre is equipped to handle everything from introductory dives to professional instructor training. The team is qualified to lead a wide spectrum of programmes, including the Instructor Development Course (IDC) and various specialty training sessions.

The staff is multilingual, providing instruction and guidance in English, Dutch, Hungarian, and Spanish. This allows for clear communication and precise briefing, which is essential when navigating the varied currents and depths found around the island.

The training catalogue is extensive, covering the full PADI progression from Open Water Diver through to Divemaster and Assistant Instructor. For those looking to specialise, the centre offers courses in Deep Diver, Wreck Diver, Drift Diver, and Peak Performance Buoyancy.

Technical diving is a core component of their curriculum, with programmes including TEC 40, TEC 45, TEC 50, and the TEC Deep Diver course. They also provide training for Full Face Mask diving, Diver Propulsion Vehicles (DPV), and the Invasive Lionfish Tracker course.

The centre operates both catamarans and speedboats for their offshore excursions, with a capacity of up to 12 divers per trip. These vessels take you to the more remote sites, including the deep wrecks and the uninhabited island of Klein Curacao.

On the boat trips, you can expect a relaxed atmosphere with snacks, soft drinks, and an open bar provided. For those heading out on full-day trips, a BBQ is available on board to keep you fueled between dives.

The centre provides a full range of rental equipment, including Mares kit. You can hire complete sets or individual items such as masks, snorkels, fins, and 3mm shorty wetsuits. Divers requiring more specialised kit can also rent dive computers, torches for night dives, and SMBs.

Nitrox (32%) is available for all divers, providing an option for extended bottom times on deeper sites. The facility is well-equipped to support both recreational and technical divers, including those using wing systems.

The reefs around Jan Thiel are teeming with life, from colourful reef fish like angelfish (Pomacanthidae), blue tangs, and parrotfish (Calotomus) to larger species such as tarpon (Megalops) and groupers. You will frequently see snappers, jacks (Carangidae), and sergeant majors cruising the reef edges.

For those interested in macro life, keep a sharp eye out for seahorses (Hippocampus kuda), frogfish (Antennarius), and various species of octopus (Octopus vulgaris). Cleaner shrimp (Lysmata) can often be found stationed near anemones, providing a service to passing fish.

In the larger water columns and sandy areas, you may encounter Southern stingrays (Hypanus americanus), porcupinefish (Diodon), and various species of moray eels (Muraenidae). Turtles, including Green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) and Hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), are also common visitors to the local dive sites.

The diving environment varies significantly depending on the site. While many reef flats offer calm conditions, certain sites like the Superior Producer can experience very strong currents that require more experienced handling.

Night diving is a regular part of the centre's programme, with departures scheduled for early morning to catch the nocturnal activity. The water conditions remain warm throughout the year, supporting a stable marine ecosystem.