From Guided to Unguided Diving in 1 Week
In many dive destinations around the world, you have to go on a boat to get to the best sites, or to any dive sites. This means you’re tied to the dive shops schedule and joining guided dives. Maybe you’ve never even considered diving independently. Maybe it was never suggested to you as an option! We’re here to help you gain the confidence to dive on your own.
Curacao is unique – the shore diving is excellent and accessible! With a fringing reef surrounding the island, you will find a nice shore dive practically anywhere you can safely enter the water. The drop off makes navigation a breeze while shallow reefs and wide beaches increase the margin of error if you do get a bit lost. You might call it surfacing to re-orient yourself, we call it “pop-up navigation.”
Can I do this?
PADI Open Water Divers are certified to dive independently, together with a buddy, to maximum 18m / 60ft anywhere in the world. In most places, your 5th ever dive could have been without a guide. You are definitely allowed to do it. But time and time again, divers tell us they feel more comfortable diving with a professional.
If that’s you, what would it take for you to get comfortable diving without a guide?
Don’t get us wrong – we LOVE taking you on guided dives. Nothing brings us more joy than helping you enjoy diving, finding the coolest marine life, and spending the day exploring below the waves with divers from around the world. We are also trained in preventing problems, handling emergencies, and helping you improve your dive skills as we go. Guided dives are awesome.
Beyond diving, we are passionate about dive education and helping you enjoy as much diving as possible. If you’re interested in the freedom of diving on your own schedule – and the savings that comes with it – but aren’t quite ready to jump in on your own from day 1, read on to learn about the new Flexible Drive & Dive package.
The Perfect Solution to Gain Confidence
The Flexible Drive & Dive package is intentionally designed to share Curacao’s amazing shore diving with you and help you gain the confidence to enjoy on your own. Combine guided and independent diving days into one great week by choosing your preferred number of each!
On day 1 you’ll explore the famous Dive Bus House Reef, Pierbaai & Car Pile, on a 2 tank dive with one of our instructors. We take a maximum of 8 certified divers per instructor on guided dives.
Between dives, join our instructor for an extra briefing on how they managed navigation, dive profile, and air reserves to return safely to shore – preparing you to do the same!
If you’ve chosen more days of guided dives, you and your buddies will jump in the bus for 2 guided dives at a different location each day, gaining confidence every step of the way. It’s a great opportunity to ask your extra questions too – we’re here to help you have the best time ever. During Dive Bus Trips, we bring snacks and water along to enjoy during the surface interval.
After your selected number of guided dive days, you’ll transition to independent diving for however many days you choose! Experience the freedom to dive at the time and dive sites of your choice! You’ll have access to unlimited air or nitrox tanks each day; switch out your tanks at any time during our opening hours. Our crew is more than happy to share their recommendations on where to go and what you might find! You can also pick up a dive map or dive guidebook in The Dive Bus retail shop. Just don’t forget to pack your own snacks 😉
Dive days do not have to be consecutive to remain part of a discounted package. Simply communicate your preferred diving days with Doris when booking and we’ll do our best to arrange it.
Recent diver Katherine created a flexible package and loved the combination! Check out her Trip Advisor review about Drive & Dive at The Dive Bus:
“We did a dive and drive package with them and started with several days of guided dives, then rented some tanks and went out on our own. I’m glad we started with guided dives – the guides know the reefs really well and showed us some great sites.”
Add-On Options
Full or partial rental equipment is available for those that need it – with a multi-day discount applied based on your total number of diving days! Take advantage of our Try Before You Buy program… test out and choose gear that works for YOU, then you don’t pay the rental fees for whatever you buy from us.
If it’s been 18 months or more since your last dive, we can swap out your first day for a refresher dive to help you safely, comfortably and confidently start your dive trip!
For vehicles, we partner with National so you can collect and return your rental at the airport. This convenient option saves time and money, so you can make the most of your Curacao dive vacation. With a growing number of delicious restaurants, cultural attractions, and all the insanely photogenic beaches in Curacao, you will be glad to have a vehicle for island exploration. Because as much as you might want to, you cannot be underwater 100% of the time!
Want to add in your PADI Advanced Open Water or any specialty diver certifications while you’re here? Peak Performance Buoyancy and Underwater Navigation are our top choices for gaining practical skills and dive confidence! Want to stay longer than a week? It’s all possible friends, let’s build your dive plan together!
Are you sold, ready to book your flights and come on down?
We’ve built a handy calculator, here, for you to quote your Flexible Drive & Dive Package.
Or contact us with your questions & let’s start planning your Curacao Dive Vacation!
Email: reservations@thedivebus.com
WhatsApp: +599 9 693 8305
The Fine Print
- Minimum Number of Divers: 2
- Minimum Total Dive Days: 3
- Minimum Car Rental Days: 5