reef

Log This Dive

Mushroom Forest

Mushroom Forest is one of those sites we always recommend to divers heading to Curaçao. The name isn't just a clever marketing ploy; it perfectly describes the unique landscape here. Imagine huge coral formations, mostly star corals and brain corals, sculpted by thousands of years of current into giant, mushroom-shaped pinnacles. They rise from the seafloor, creating swim-throughs and overhangs, each one big enough to lose yourself in for a few minutes, just floating and watching the light play through the gaps. What we love most is the way the light filters down, dappling the sand and illuminating the undersides of these coral caps. You'll find plenty of Sailor's Choice and Dark Green Parrotfish nibbling away, and if you look closely in the shadows, Dusky Cardinalfish and Pearl Blennies peek out from crevices. It’s not about huge pelagics here; it's about the intricate beauty of the reef and the sheer scale of the coral architecture. We’d suggest going early, before any day boats arrive, to really soak in the quiet grandeur. It’s an easy dive, suitable for anyone comfortable navigating a gentle current, and it always leaves us feeling like we’ve visited some kind of ancient, underwater city.