Airplane Wreck (Sunset Waters) - Curaçao Southeast

The Airplane Wreck at Sunset Waters isn't just a plane in the ocean, it's a genuine slice of history. It was deliberately sunk back in the 70s, a small commuter craft, and now it sits at a very manageable depth, maybe 15 metres, making it super accessible for most divers. We love poking around the fuselage. You can actually swim through the cockpit, which feels a bit surreal, imagining the pilots. What makes it a standout for us isn't just the plane itself, but how nature has completely taken over. Big schools of French grunt shelter under the wings, their silver scales glinting in the light that filters through. Look closely and you’ll find Mushroom Scorpionfish, masters of camouflage, tucked into crevices, almost invisible against the coral growth. We’ve seen Great Barracuda cruising past, keeping a watchful eye on everything. The corals, especially the Lettuce Coral and robust star corals, have really encrusted the wreck. It's an ideal spot for macro enthusiasts, but equally engaging for those who just want to explore a cool wreck without going too deep. Our tip: go early to avoid any crowds.

Location
Curaçao Southeast, Curaçao, Caribbean
Coordinates
12.266944, -69.127655
Type
wreck

Wreck History - Airplane Wreck (Sunset Waters)

Vessel Type
aircraft
Cause
unknown

Located in the beautiful Santa Martha Bay, the dive site known as "Sunset Waters" is home to a small but intriguing airplane wreck. The aircraft, a Cessna, is rumored to have been involved in illicit activities, crashing just offshore after running out of fuel. While its true history remains a mystery, the wreck now serves as the centerpiece of a popular and accessible shore dive, easily reached from the beach of the now-closed resort.

The plane lies in pieces in very shallow water, allowing divers of all levels to explore its coral-encrusted remains. The main fuselage sits on a sandy patch, providing shelter for juvenile fish and invertebrates. This site offers a unique two-in-one experience: divers can begin by exploring the man-made structure of the wreck before drifting along the adjacent drop-off, a healthy and vibrant reef wall teeming with typical Caribbean marine life. It's a perfect combination of wreck and reef diving in a single location.

Marine Protected Area: Shete Boka Park

Best Time to Dive in Curaçao Southeast

The warmest water temperatures in Curaçao Southeast occur in October, averaging 29.7°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 26.6°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 27.0°C
  • February: 26.6°C
  • March: 26.8°C
  • April: 27.0°C
  • May: 27.6°C
  • June: 28.0°C
  • July: 28.2°C
  • August: 29.0°C
  • September: 29.5°C
  • October: 29.7°C
  • November: 29.0°C
  • December: 28.1°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Curaçao Southeast

Nearest Dive Centres to Airplane Wreck (Sunset Waters)

Marine Life in Curaçao Southeast

Home to 322 recorded species including 259 reef fish, 24 hard corals, 7 other, 6 crabs & lobsters, 5 seagrass & algae, 5 sea snails & nudibranchs.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Airplane Wreck (Sunset Waters)

Based on average water temperature of 28.0°C, currents 22 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories