Log This Dive

Marie Pampoen

Marie Pampoen. Now, this is a spot we keep coming back to. Forget the big boats and crowded mooring lines; this is shore diving at its best, right outside Willemstad. We love a good house reef, and Marie Pampoen delivers a proper, unpretentious one. The entry is easy, a sandy slope right off the beach. Once you’re in, just fin straight out. You’ll hit the reef in no time, a gentle slope alive with movement. We always spend a lot of time in the shallows here, maybe 5 to 10 metres. It’s a busy neighbourhood. Look for the Sand-canyon Gobies darting between the rocks, or a Harlequin Bass cruising the nooks. We’ve seen juvenile Hogfish here, so tiny they’re almost transparent, and the Bicolor Damselfish are everywhere, flitting in and out of the Eight-ray Finger Coral. Our favourite part is the hunt for blennies. Marie Pampoen is a blenny paradise. Keep your eyes peeled for the Blackfin Blenny, poking its head out, or a Smooth-eye Blenny watching you from its tiny crevice. Seriously, take your time, get low, and just watch. It’s a great spot for macro photographers, or anyone who enjoys a relaxed dive without the fuss. We'd suggest going in the morning before the beach gets too lively.