Playa Forti - Curaçao Southeast

Shark Bank is one of those places where the name tells you exactly what to expect. We love a dive site that delivers on its promise. Dropping down, you hit the top of the bank around 25 metres, and it’s immediately clear this isn’t a gentle drift. The currents here can be robust, so it’s definitely one for divers comfortable in a bit of a washing machine. But what a payoff. We’ve had dives here with grey reef sharks patrolling the thermocline, their sleek bodies ghosting past. Convict fish swarm across the reef, a living carpet of stripes, and we’ve often seen barracuda schooling, a silver wall that melts away as you approach. The coral itself, a mix of brain and staghorn, feels ancient, providing shelter for colourful wrasse and the occasional spotted hawkfish. Visibility averages a decent 20 metres, but on a good day, it stretches further, letting you watch the action unfold at a distance. Our favourite trick here is to find a sheltered spot and just watch the current-swept reef pulse with life. It's a proper blue water experience, a great option for experienced divers looking for big fish encounters and a lively drift.

Location
Curaçao Southeast, Curaçao, Caribbean
Coordinates
12.366600, -69.154200

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 Playa Forti

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 Playa Forti

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