Reefwander
A group of pale snappers sheltering beneath the brown branches of a sea rod, with blue water and sand below — Santa Cruz, Curaçao.

Curaçao · Curaçao · Reef

Santa Cruz

Spinner dolphins raising their young over the reef

Photo: LASZLO ILYES from Cleveland, Ohio, USA · CC BY 2.0

Santa Cruz is a boat dive on a fringing reef just west of Playa Santa Cruz, east of Playa Lagun. Spinner dolphins are often seen in the area, which serves them as a birthing and training ground for their young at certain times of year.

Also known as Playa Santa Cruz.

Where it is and how deep

Depth profile of Santa Cruz: typical dive 12–36 m (40–118 ft) 18 m · Open Water30 m · Advanced40 m · Recreational limit12 m36 mtypical dive
Depths on a shared scale to 50 m (164 ft); dashed lines mark common certification limits.

12.3120° N, 69.1510° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.

The dive

Divers descend from the boat onto the fringing reef, a busy ecosystem full of life and colour that runs from about 12 m (40 ft) down to 36 m (120 ft). Spinner dolphins are a common sight in the area.

Marine life and season

  • Dolphins
Month-by-month season rating for Santa Cruz
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
FairFairGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodFairFairFair

Season follows Curaçao: Diving runs all year; October to February is the rainy season, and May to November brings warmer water and fewer crowds.

Sources

  1. Playa Santa Cruz Dive Sites — Dive Curaçao
  2. OpenStreetMap — OpenStreetMap contributors

Photo credits

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