Two weeks diving holiday on the island of Curaçao in the Netherlands Antilles with DiveZone. The dive sites are all located on the quiet southwest side of the island and are mostly diveable from the beach. It is often a 5 to 15 minute shallow swim across a sandy area before the fringing reef begins.
Fig. 1: One of the tube sponges that filter out plankton from the Caribbean waters around Curaçao. TG 672, Playa Lagun dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=10.5 mm; f/4.0; ISO 100; 10 November 2019 11:15:23Fig. 2: A soft coral in the coral reef around Curaçao. TG 672, Playa Lagun dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=10.5 mm; f/3.5; ISO 100; 10 November 2019 11:16:23Fig. 3: A stingray hiding in the coral reef around Curaçao. TG 672, Playa Lagun dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=10.5 mm; f/4.0; ISO 100; 10 November 2019 11:20:07Fig. 4: Another soft coral in the coral reef around Curaçao. TG 672, Playa Lagun dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/160 s; f=10.5 mm; f/6.3; ISO 100; 10 November 2019 11:39:44Fig. 5: A trumpet fish has hidden in this soft coral and is waiting for prey. TG 673, Kleine Knip dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=10.5 mm; f/5.6; ISO 100; 10 November 2019 14:37:35Fig. 6: Trumpetfish often swim vertically with their heads down in order to camouflage themselves. TG 673, Kleine Knip dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/200 s; f=10.5 mm; f/7.1; ISO 100; 10 November 2019 15:03:10Fig. 7: A small school of yellow snappers has strayed into the coral reef around Curaçao. TG 673, Kleine Knip dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/160 s; f=10.5 mm; f/6.3; ISO 100; 10 November 2019 15:12:14Fig. 8: me sidemount diving in the Caribbean. Usually I only took one bottle and if it should go deeper, both with me. TG 673, Kleine Knip dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/200 s; f=10.5 mm; f/9.0; ISO 100; 10 November 2019 15:26:43Fig. 9: Small fish sit on a hard coral in the fringing reef around the Caribbean island. TG 676, Port Marie dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=105 mm; f/11.0; ISO 100; 12 November 2019 11:54:27Fig. 10: Macro image of a trumpetfish eye in the fringing reef around the Caribbean island of Curaçao.. TG 676, Port Marie dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=105 mm; f/11.0; ISO 100; 12 November 2019 11:55:54Fig. 11: The old floe with the blue dots looks crooked. TG 676, Port Marie dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=105 mm; f/9.0; ISO 100; 12 November 2019 12:06:21Fig. 12: Portrait of a lobster. TG 676, Port Marie dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=105 mm; f/9.0; ISO 100; 12 November 2019 12:08:56Fig. 13: You can still see the eggs in this transparent shrimp. TG 676, Port Marie dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=105 mm; f/11.0; ISO 100; 12 November 2019 12:28:18Fig. 14: Looks like a sponge but is a frogfish that stalks its prey. TG 676, Port Marie dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=105 mm; f/11.0; ISO 100; 12 November 2019 12:30:59Fig. 15: A white-spotted snake eel (lat. Myrichthys breviceps) meanders through the fringing reef. TG 676, Port Marie dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=105 mm; f/11.0; ISO 100; 12 November 2019 12:33:28Fig. 16: The gill ends of a tubeworm protrude from a hole in a hard coral. TG 677, Port Marie dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=105 mm; f/16.0; ISO 100; 12 November 2019 16:13:54Fig. 17: A blenny peeks out of a hole in a hard coral. TG 677, Port Marie dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=105 mm; f/16.0; ISO 100; 12 November 2019 16:17:36Fig. 18: Two butterfly fish on a soft coral. TG 678, Snake Bay dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=40 mm; f/11.0; ISO 100; 13 November 2019 12:43:32Fig. 19: A small group of Caribbean reef squid (lat. Sepioteuthis sepioidea) awaited us at the end of an uneventful dive. TG 678, Snake Bay dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=40 mm; f/8.0; ISO 100; 13 November 2019 12:47:34Fig. 20: Close-up as good as possible of a Caribbean reef squid (lat. Sepioteuthis sepioidea). TG 678, Snake Bay dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=40 mm; f/8.0; ISO 100; 13 November 2019 12:49:18Fig. 21: As if the squids weren't enough, seahorses awaited us in the shallow water. TG 678, Snake Bay dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=40 mm; f/16.0; ISO 100; 13 November 2019 12:55:41Fig. 22: As if the squids weren't enough, seahorses awaited us in the shallow water. TG 678, Snake Bay dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=40 mm; f/16.0; ISO 100; 13 November 2019 12:57:05Fig. 23: Finally, a boxfish. Then this dive was over. We should have gotten in better when exiting. TG 678, Snake Bay dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=40 mm; f/11.0; ISO 100; 13 November 2019 12:59:23Fig. 24: A moray eel peeks out from hiding under coral. TG 679, Cocomo Beach dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=40 mm; f/11.0; ISO 100; 13 November 2019 16:15:46Fig. 25: Raymond the stingray came towards us. TG 679, Cocomo Beach dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/80 s; f=40 mm; f/4.5; ISO 100; 13 November 2019 16:26:15Fig. 26: Portrait of an Atlantic ray. Above they look angry and below they always smile. TG 679, Cocomo Beach dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/40 s; f=40 mm; f/3.2; ISO 100; 13 November 2019 16:27:22Fig. 27: A transparent shrimp hides in a sea anemone. TG 682, Alice's Wonderland dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=105 mm; f/22.0; ISO 100; 14 November 2019 17:39:27Fig. 28: The back of a young scorpionfish can also delight. TG 682, Alice's Wonderland dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=105 mm; f/18.0; ISO 100; 14 November 2019 17:43:33Fig. 29: A fully grown specimen of a scorpionfish that could be photographed from the front. TG 682, Alice's Wonderland dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=105 mm; f/11.0; ISO 100; 14 November 2019 17:51:29Fig. 30: At night the lobsters come out of their hiding places. TG 682, Alice's Wonderland dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=105 mm; f/11.0; ISO 100; 14 November 2019 17:53:09Fig. 31: A moray eel peers out between hard corals. TG 682, Alice's Wonderland dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=105 mm; f/16.0; ISO 100; 14 November 2019 17:59:40Fig. 32: Nudibranchs come in all colors and shapes and are always great photo opportunities for macro shots. TG 682, Alice's Wonderland dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=105 mm; f/16.0; ISO 100; 14 November 2019 18:03:34Fig. 33: A moray eel with a cleaner shrimp. TG 682, Alice's Wonderland dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=105 mm; f/16.0; ISO 100; 14 November 2019 18:15:25Fig. 34: A white-spotted snake eel (lat. Myrichthys breviceps) looks out of its hole in the sand. TG 682, Alice's Wonderland dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=105 mm; f/22.0; ISO 100; 14 November 2019 18:26:28Fig. 35: A Lancelet Ghost Crab sits on a clump of algae. TG 682, Alice's Wonderland dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=105 mm; f/16.0; ISO 100; 14 November 2019 18:35:26Fig. 36: And another portrait of a dragon head. TG 682, Alice's Wonderland dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=105 mm; f/10.0; ISO 100; 14 November 2019 18:38:28Fig. 37: Dive at the wreck of the Superior Producer in the harbor near Willemstad. You have to catch one of the rare days when there isn't a huge cruise ship at anchor here. TG 683: Dive Site Superior Producer, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/20 s; f=10.5 mm; f/2.8; ISO 100; 15 November 2019 12:44:00Fig. 38: Dive at the wreck of the Superior Producer in the harbor near Willemstad. You have to catch one of the rare days when there isn't a huge cruise ship at anchor here. TG 683: Dive Site Superior Producer, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/31 s; f=10.5 mm; f/2.8; ISO 100; 15 November 2019 12:47:44Fig. 39: Dive at the wreck of the Superior Producer in the harbor near Willemstad. You have to catch one of the rare days when there isn't a huge cruise ship at anchor here. TG 683: Dive Site Superior Producer, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/91 s; f=10.5 mm; f/2.8; ISO 100; 15 November 2019 12:51:28Fig. 40: Dive at the wreck of the Superior Producer in the harbor near Willemstad. You have to catch one of the rare days when there isn't a huge cruise ship at anchor here. TG 683: Dive Site Superior Producer, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=10.5 mm; f/2.8; ISO 100; 15 November 2019 12:52:52Fig. 41: Dive at the wreck of the Superior Producer in the harbor near Willemstad. You have to catch one of the rare days when there isn't a huge cruise ship at anchor here. TG 683: Dive Site Superior Producer, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/25 s; f=10.5 mm; f/2.8; ISO 100; 15 November 2019 13:01:14Fig. 42: dive at the wreck of the Superior Producer in the harbor near Willemstad. You have to catch one of the rare days when there isn't a huge cruise ship at anchor here. TG 683: Dive Site Superior Producer, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/91 s; f=10.5 mm; f/2.8; ISO 100; 15 November 2019 13:07:29Fig. 43: Dive at the wreck of the Superior Producer in the harbor near Willemstad. You have to catch one of the rare days when there isn't a huge cruise ship at anchor here. TG 683: Dive Site Superior Producer, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/200 s; f=10.5 mm; f/7.1; ISO 100; 15 November 2019 13:18:27Fig. 44: A Flatcrab that dared to come out of hiding. TG 685: Playa Lagoon dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=105 mm; f/11.0; ISO 100; 16 November 2019 17:56:57Fig. 45: Another crab, covered with all sorts of camouflage stuff. TG 685: Playa Lagoon dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=105 mm; f/16.0; ISO 100; 16 November 2019 18:02:07Fig. 46: A Lancet Ghost Crab. TG 685: Playa Lagoon dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=105 mm; f/11.0; ISO 100; 16 November 2019 18:20:23Fig. 47: A hermit crab in a snail shell. TG 685: Playa Lagoon dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=105 mm; f/11.0; ISO 100; 16 November 2019 18:24:52Fig. 48: A crab with a small shrimp in an anemone. TG 685: Playa Lagoon dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=105 mm; f/11.0; ISO 100; 16 November 2019 18:26:29Fig. 49: A big crab. TG 685: Playa Lagoon dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=105 mm; f/16.0; ISO 100; 16 November 2019 18:32:56Fig. 50: An octopus. They are either shy or curious. TG 685: Playa Lagoon dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=105 mm; f/11.0; ISO 100; 16 November 2019 18:49:53Fig. 51: Portrait of a shaggy-bearded scorpionfish. TG 685: Playa Lagoon dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=105 mm; f/11.0; ISO 100; 16 November 2019 18:56:12Fig. 52: Same shaggy-bearded scorpionfish again. TG 685: Playa Lagoon dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=105 mm; f/11.0; ISO 100; 16 November 2019 18:57:51Fig. 53: Finally a moray eel under a rock. Then this night dive was over. TG 685: Playa Lagoon dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=105 mm; f/11.0; ISO 100; 16 November 2019 19:03:50Fig. 54: One of the sea turtles in Playa Grandi. TG 695, Curacao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/200 s; f=20 mm; f/7.1; ISO 100; 21 November 2019 10:29:49Fig. 55: One of the sea turtles in Playa Grandi. TG 695, Curacao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=20 mm; f/5.6; ISO 100; 21 November 2019 10:30:30Fig. 56: A tube sponge. TG 695, Playa Grandi dive site, Curaçao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=20 mm; f/5.6; ISO 100; 21 November 2019 10:40:40Fig. 57: The fringing reef at Playa Grandi. TG 695, Curacao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/80 s; f=20 mm; f/4.5; ISO 100; 21 November 2019 10:47:15Fig. 58: One of the sea turtles in Playa Grandi. TG 695, Curacao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=20 mm; f/5.6; ISO 100; 21 November 2019 11:16:18Fig. 59: Photo shoot with one of the sea turtles and diving buddy in Playa Grandi. After the photo it was over for my ears. TG 695, Curacao. Nikon D200; Δt=1/200 s; f=20 mm; f/7.1; ISO 100; 21 November 2019 11:21:04