Curaçao is packed with incredible dive sites, but sometimes the best experiences are just steps from your hotel room. During our trip to Curaçao, we did a beautiful shore dive right off LionsDive Beach Resort—and it’s one I’d recommend to anyone, whether you’re just getting certified or have hundreds of dives under your belt.
📍 Dive Site: LionsDive House Reef (Stella Maris), Curaçao
🤿 Dive Type: Easy Shore Entry, Fringing Reef
🎥 Watch the full video below
Why We Loved This Dive
This was a relaxed, no-fuss dive with warm, clear water and plenty of marine life. No boat, no rush—just walk straight into the water from the beach and drop down onto the reef. The site itself is called Stella Maris Reef, and it’s the house reef for Ocean Encounters, Curaçao’s most well-known dive operator (conveniently located on-site at LionsDive Resort). The reef starts shallow and slopes gently down, making it perfect for all skill levels.
What You’ll See
We spotted eels tucked into coral heads, healthy brain coral, schooling reef fish, and a few curious barracuda patrolling the edges. The visibility was excellent, and the water was bathtub warm. It’s the kind of dive that lets you slow down, focus on the little things, and really take it all in. It’s also a perfect warm-up dive if you’ve just arrived on the island or haven’t been diving in a while. And if you’re staying at LionsDive or nearby Sunscape or Avila Beach Hotel, it’s incredibly convenient.
Tips for Diving LionsDive House Reef
- Bring your camera – There’s great macro and wide-angle potential here.
- Go early in the day – Less current, fewer crowds, better light.
- Book tanks or a guide through Ocean Encounters – They make everything easy.
- Keep an eye out for turtles – They’re frequent visitors here.
👉 Want to see what it’s like? Watch the full dive here:
https://youtu.be/sAye4FvX2lY
Final Thoughts
Not every great dive requires a boat and a long ride. Sometimes, the reef right in front of you is more than enough—and that’s exactly what we found at LionsDive. It’s easy, it’s beautiful, and it’s a reminder of why we love shore diving in the Caribbean.