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Log This Dive

St. Marie Reef

St. Marie Reef, down on Curaçao's southeast coast, is one of those spots we always look forward to. It’s a proper wall dive, starting shallow and dropping to a healthy 40 meters, though we tend to spend most of our time above 20m. You’ll check in at the local dive school at Coral Estate, which keeps things organized. What we really love here is the sheer density of life clinging to the wall. Keep an eye out for the smaller stuff – Nodulose Miters tucked into crevices, and those striking Spotted Lanternfish hanging out in shaded areas. We've often seen Hawksbill Turtles cruising the reef edge, and the schools of Surgeonfish can be so thick they almost block out the sun in the shallows. The corals, particularly the Rose Coral and Lettuce Coral, are thriving. We'd suggest going early; the light hitting the wall creates some beautiful contrasts. This site is great for divers who appreciate a healthy reef with a good mix of macro and pelagic encounters, without being too challenging.