Eel Valley - Curaçao Southeast

The Jetty House Reef at Naya Gawana is exactly what it sounds like, a house reef right off the jetty. We love a site with easy access, and this one delivers. Drop in off the resort's own jetty and you're immediately in the action, no long boat ride required. It’s an excellent spot for macro enthusiasts, especially those who appreciate a good hunt. Maximum depth is around 12 meters, so you have plenty of bottom time to really scour the artificial reef structures, which are essentially metal and concrete frames. These structures have done a brilliant job of attracting a host of critters. We often find Bloodspot pipefish tucked into crevices and Gardiner's Headshield slugs slowly making their way across the coral. The visibility averages about 7 meters, which sounds low, but for macro diving, it's often a bonus, really focusing your eye on the small stuff rather than expansive vistas. We’d suggest going early morning before the sun gets too high; the light plays nicely through the water, illuminating all the tiny details. Keep an eye out for young Estuary cod sheltering in the nooks. It's a peaceful dive, perfect for photographers or divers who prefer a slow, methodical pace over zooming around.

Location
Curaçao Southeast, Curaçao, Caribbean
Coordinates
12.057000, -68.843300
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Oostpunt

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 Eel Valley

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 Eel Valley

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