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The ABC islands
consist of three islands that are all
located in the South of the Caribbean, off the coast of
Venezuela. These
three islands are
Aruba,
Bonaire
and Curacao.
All three
islands are part of the Kingdom of the
Netherlands. They also used to be part of the Netherlands Antilles, that was dissolved on 10 October 2010.
On all the ABC islands, Dutch is the official language, mostly used among the Dutch people and for official business. Papiamento a mixture of Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, English, French, is mostly used among the local people, and English seems to star to dominate because tourism is one of the biggest economies on all three islands.
The ABC islands have in particular that the North-East side of each island faces directly to the winds coming from the Caribbean (good for windsurfing) and the South-West is protected, making calm and clear waters all year around, these being good for diving. Another good point is that the ABC islands are out of the Caribbean hurricane path.
Although the ABC islands are culturally and geographically closely related, each island has its unique characteristics:
Aruba
is an autonomous, self-governing member
state of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Of the ABC
islands, Aruba offers more of a party atmosphere. They have a
noticeable
American influence, big hotels, fine beaches, shopping, casinos,
restaurants and
a vivid night life. Aruba attracts millions of visitors and cruise
passengers,
most from North America and nearby Venezuela, and it ranks as one of
the
Caribbean's most popular vacation spots.
Though
Aruba is known more for its beaches than it's diving, it does have some
exciting dives sites along the Northwestern coast of the island
including a few
shipwrecks and other spots between Manchebo Beach and Baby
Beach.
Don't miss the wreck of the Antilla near Eagle Beach. The Antilla is a 400’ cargo ship that sunk in the 40's and so far is declared as the largest wreck in the Caribbean.
A diver's
paradise. Almost all
visitors to Bonaire are drawn by scuba diving. Bonaire is a quiet
place
with an exciting underwater world and nature. Perfect for relaxing and
getting
away from noise and stress. Good choice if you want to avoid high-rise
resorts and crowded beaches.
From the ABC islands Bonaire is considered every year as one of the world's top 10 diving destinations. One reason for this is that Bonaire is surrounded by fringing reefs and has an enormous variety of fish, sea turtles, rays and other marine life. All these are accessible just a few feet from the shore. Between "1000 Steps Beach" and "Pink Beach" there are more than 80 dive sites that also go around the "Klein Bonaire Island".
But before you go in the water, every diver must attend a mandatory dive orientation and obtain a marine park tag. The marine park tag cost around $25 USD, and is valid for one year. The orientation and the fee are required for safety and to prevent damage to the reefs and the marine life.
These fees also help locals to maintain, manage, and protect the marine park in Bonaire. No wonder why they have one of the healthiest coral reefs in the area.
Our latest post to keep you updated.
Travelling with Diving equipment
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Amed-Bali.
most commonly known for diving the USS Liberty wreck at Tulamben area.
Ria Aldan.
Part of the Rias Baixas in Spain.
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These are currently the best cameras for diving.
Khao Lak Beach.
Located in Thailand with over 20+ nice dive sites.
Diving Karon.
Located in Thailand with over 30 nice dive sites.
Diving in Canada.
The water is cold, but that has not stopped the Canadian divers and visitors.
Diving in Exuma, The Bahamas.
with 365 cays and islands is the perfect place for relaxation and diving.
The Bahamas
known for its big tourism industry offering big hotels, nice beaches and clear waters.
Diving in Kalymnos, Greece.
Diving in Kalymnos Island, Greece. known as the "Sponge-divers' island.
Diving in Paphos, Cyprus.
Paphos is one of the oldest cities in the world which has seen rise and fall of many kingdoms.
Diving Raja Ampat, Indonesia.
Famous for its ditch biodiversity and the coral coverage is stunning.
Diving Aliwal Shoal-Reef-Umkomaas, South Africa.
The most popular dive site to view the Ragged Tooth Sharks during the shark season.
Diving in South Africa.
Cage diving in South Africa is very famous due to the massive fur seal colony and African penguins.
Diving Kata Beach-Phuket, Thailand.
Kata Beach in Phuket has most beautiful beaches and easy to dive locations on the island.
Diving Santa Catalina, Panama.
Most of our dive sites are located in Coiba National Park, a protected area.
Diving in Bali.
Bali has lots of great dive and snorkelling sites.
Diving Carriacou, Grenadine Isl.
Carriacou prides itself on some of the best diving in the Caribbean.
Diving Guardalavaca
Guardalavaca was a nice experience. They have a great wall with really nice tunnels.
How is the coral reef being affected?
Corals are highly sensitive to environmental changes that can kill them.
Diving Kas-Turkey
Kas is a small historical town on the south coast of Turkey and we have great diving.
Diving South Dalmatia
Diving Marco Polo's home town in Croatia.
Catalina Island, Dom Rep
You will love our amazing snorkelling and diving activities.
Of the
ABC islands Curacao
has also a good mixture of beach and nature, night
life, culture, history, and shopping. It is the
largest of the three ABC islands and is known more for its shopping,
European-style architecture, flavour, and friendly multicultural
population. Driving
around to find the sights of Curacao is easy, you'll find plenty to see
and do.
The island has nice dive sites. Majority are located in
front of the many hotels between "Boca San Michiel" and "Barbara Beach"
on the Southern coast. This side of the island offers a twenty-kilometre Underwater
Park.
There is diving also around Klein Curacao, a small deserted volcanic island to the
Southeast (an hour-and-a-half boat ride from Willemstad). Most sites are rich in
coral formations while others have sunken ships and submerged
artefacts. Some sites are easily accessible from the shore but most require getting there by boat. Good snorkeling exists at most of these locations.
The
island has some nice dive sites. Majority are located in
front of the many hotels between "Boca San Michiel" and "Barbara Beach"
on the Southern coast in the twenty-kilometre Curacao Underwater
Park.
There
is diving
also around Klein Curacao, a small deserted volcanic island to the
Southeast
(an hour-and-a-half boat ride from Willemstad). Most sites are rich in
coral
formations while others have sunken ships and submerged
artefacts. Some
sites
are easily accessible from the shore but most require getting there by
boat. Good
snorkeling exists at most of these locations.
Address information, phone number and email address.
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