Curaçao · Curaçao · Reef
Porto Mari
Two parallel reef lines with a valley between them
Area photo: LASZLO ILYES · CC BY 2.0
A west-coast shore dive built on a double reef: two reef lines with a valley running between them, reaching 30 metres at the site's deepest. Small reef fish are everywhere over the coral, creole wrasse above all, with morays and flounders in the structure and turtles and rays if the dive goes your way.
Also known as Playa Porto Mari, Porto Marie.
Where it is and how deep
12.2119° N, 69.0861° WPublished position for this site.
The dive
The entry is off the beach, over sand and some coral rubble, which is why dive boots are recommended here. The swim out puts you on the first of two reef lines: this is a double reef, with a valley running between the inner and outer reef, and the shape of the site sets the shape of the dive. You work across the structure rather than following one edge — out over the first reef, across the ground between, and back the same way with an eye on gas and time.
Small reef fish are the constant, heaped over the coral rather than concentrated in one spot, and creole wrasse most of all. Morays and flounders are the finds in the structure; turtles and rays turn up if the dive goes your way. Maximum depth is 30 metres, deeper than a beach entry suggests, so pick a turn depth on the sand before you walk in. On the way back, the reef balls sit shallow enough to look over during the safety stop.
Marine life and season
- Sea turtles
- Reef fish swarms
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Prime |
Season follows Curaçao: Curaçao lies south of the hurricane belt, so it stays diveable year-round; trade winds add light chop June–November.
Know before you go
- The site reaches 30 metres despite being a beach entry — set a turn depth before the dive rather than following the reef down.
Questions divers ask
What is the double reef at Porto Mari?+
Two reef lines separated by a valley. Divers cross from the inshore reef, over the ground between, to the second line, which is what gives the site its structure.
What will I see at Porto Mari?+
Heaps of small reef fish over the coral, creole wrasse especially, with morays and flounders in the reef and turtles and rays if you are lucky. Reef balls sit shallow enough to look over on the safety stop.
Sources
- Porto Mari Dive Site — PADI
- Curaçao — Wikivoyage
More dive sites in Curaçao
Cave & cavern
A shallow air-filled cavern next to Mushroom Forest
Reef
A shallow bay reef with 11 metres of water at most
Artificial reef
A wreck and a platform on sand, 15 metres at most
Reef
Star coral grown over centuries into mushroom-shaped heads
Sand-beach entry onto a reef that slopes past 30 m
Reef
A cliff-walled cove with an inner and an outer reef
Wreck
A 50 m freighter upright at the harbour mouth, dived from shore
Reef
A natural rock bridge, 6 metres high, at 20 metres
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