Playa Manzalina - Curaçao Southeast

Playa Manzalina is a real favourite of ours, especially when we’re looking for something a bit different on the southeast side. It’s a shallower dive, mostly around 10-15 metres, so you get incredible light penetration. That light makes the reds and oranges of the Smooth Flower Coral really pop, almost glowing against the sand. You’ll spend most of your time poking around sandy patches and small coral heads, which is perfect for spotting critters. We love it for the sheer number of Yellowhead Jawfish bobbing out of their burrows; sometimes you’ll see dozens in a single area, all watching you with those curious eyes. Keep an eye out for the Demoiselles darting through the coral, and the flash of a Green Razorfish burying itself in the sand right before your eyes. Our pick for a good dive here is mid-morning, when the sun is high, really illuminating the reef. It’s a tranquil dive, not full of dramatic drop-offs, but absolutely perfect for macro enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys a relaxed pace. It suits divers who appreciate the smaller details over big pelagics, providing a serene experience with plenty of subtle beauty to discover.

Location: Curaçao Southeast, Curaçao, Caribbean
Coordinates: 12.245421, -69.105600

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 Manzalina

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

Lettuce Coral (Agaricia agaricites) - Hard Corals
Great star coral (Montastraea cavernosa) - Hard Corals
Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
Boulder Brain Coral (Colpophyllia natans) - Hard Corals
Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
Blushing Star Coral (Stephanocoenia intersepta) - Hard Corals
Mustard hill coral (Porites astreoides) - Hard Corals
Massive Starlet Coral (Siderastrea siderea) - Hard Corals
Smooth Flower Coral (Eusmilia fastigiata) - Hard Corals
Maze Coral (Meandrina meandrites) - Hard Corals
loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
Butterfly (Chaetodon capistratus) - Reef Fish
Blue Doctor (Acanthurus coeruleus) - Reef Fish
Bastard soldierfish (Myripristis jacobus) - Reef Fish
Dark Green Parrotfish (Sparisoma viride) - Reef Fish
Sammy Johnson (Scarus taeniopterus) - Reef Fish
Lamarck's sheet coral (Agaricia lamarcki) - Hard Corals
Sea lettuce (Ulva lactuca) - Seagrass & Algae
French grunt (Haemulon flavolineatum) - Reef Fish
Spinythroat Scorpionfish (Pontinus nematophthalmus) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for Playa Manzalina

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