St. Marie Reef - Curaçao Southeast

The USS Aaron Ward is a truly special dive, one we always look forward to when we’re in Iron Bottom Sound. She’s a big wreck, lying on her port side at 61 metres, and she’s absolutely covered in life. We love finning along her hull, watching black triggerfish dart between the honeycombs of coral that have grown on the plating, and spotting stout red shrimp tucked into crevices. The scale of the Aaron Ward is what really gets you; you can spend an entire dive just exploring the bow or the stern, seeing how the deck guns and torpedo tubes have become encrusted. Visibility here is often a solid 20 metres, sometimes more, which is great for appreciating her full length. We’d suggest a slack tide dive to avoid any strong currents, making the penetration into some of the more open areas, like the engine room, much smoother. You’ll often see schools of trevally and barracuda circling above the mast, and if you’re lucky, a grey reef shark might cruise by in the mid-water. It’s a site for experienced wreck divers, definitely, but one that rewards the effort.

Location
Curaçao Southeast, Curaçao, Caribbean
Coordinates
12.199800, -69.082100
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
10-30m

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 St. Marie Reef

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 St. Marie Reef

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical diving depth at St. Marie Reef?
The typical maximum diving depth at St. Marie Reef is 20 meters, making it accessible for recreational divers. While the impressive wall extends up to 40 meters, the primary recreational diving area focuses on the shallower reef.
What kind of marine life and coral can divers expect to see at St. Marie Reef?
Divers at St. Marie Reef can expect to encounter a healthy reef system. Common marine life sightings include schools of Surgeonfish in the shallow areas, along with Scorpionfish, Seahorses, Sharptail Eels, Moray Eels, and majestic Eagle Rays. For more information on marine species, visit our wildlife database.
How challenging is diving at St. Marie Reef, and is it suitable for beginners?
Diving at St. Marie Reef is rated as intermediate difficulty. While beginners with proper guidance might be able to manage, it is generally more suitable for divers with some experience due to the wall diving environment. It's always best to consult with the local diving school at Coral Estate for specific advice.
What is the best time of year to dive St. Marie Reef for optimal conditions and marine encounters?
Information regarding the best time of year to dive St. Marie Reef for optimal conditions and marine encounters is not available in the provided data. For general guidance on seasonal diving, you might find our When to Dive section helpful.
What scuba diving certifications are required to dive at St. Marie Reef?
Specific scuba diving certifications required for St. Marie Reef are not detailed in the provided information. However, given its intermediate difficulty rating and maximum depth of 20 meters, an Open Water Diver certification is typically a minimum requirement, and further experience is recommended. Always check with the local dive operator for their specific requirements.
What are the usual current and visibility conditions like at St. Marie Reef?
At St. Marie Reef, divers can generally expect excellent visibility, averaging around 21 meters. Information regarding typical current conditions at this site is not provided in the available data.