Curaçao Pride: time to dive AND party!

Dive into Curacao Pride 2019

for a tremendously fun party week in Paradise
that you won't forget!

Curacao Pride 2019 is the seventh edition of this amazing event and - if it's anything like previous Curacao Pride events - it's not to be missed. 

Catered to the LGBTQ community and their friends, everyone and anyone is welcome to dive into in the 5-day event, filled with tons of parties, celebrations, activities and FUN. 

Last year's Curaçao Pride was an overwhelming success. Thousands of visitors came specifically for the event, and a record number of people took part in the Curaçao Pride Walk and the Opening Concert - The Dive Bus Crew very happy to be among them.

One of the reasons for the success of Curacao Pride is the island's melting pot of nationalities, languages, religions, history, skin color, opinions, perceptions, currencies, you name it - that centuries have forged into the “Biba i laga Biba" mentality of the island's people:

“Live and let Live”

Friendly and tolerant, there's no history of gay violence towards LGBT locals or visitors - or even a "gayborhood". According to Gay Travel:

"Curaçao does not have a gayborhood as you would encounter in other major cities around the world. As part of the “Live and let Live” mentality there are plenty of places to go and activities to do that are LGBT welcoming.

You will find that quite a large number of the LGBT community are working in hospitality and they tend to make sure that you have a great time!

Not only that but Curaçao is a great vacation destination by all standards. Beaches, accommodations, activities, culturally speaking and much more."

It's for these reasons that the IGLTA and the Chairman of the Caribbean Travel Association (CTO) honored the Curaçao Tourism Board as a Destination Pioneer, putting Curacao on the map as a leading destination for LGBT travelers in the Caribbean. 

Because, in a nut shell:

1. Curacao rocks.
2. Curacao Pride is awesome.
3. Everyone is welcome.
4. Come on down.
5. And the diving rocks. So if you want to fit in a dive or 2, just let us know 😎:

If you've never dived before,
you've GOT to try this...

If you're a certified diver,
enjoy the best of
underwater Curacao, too...

 CURACAO PRIDE:
Yet another great reason to vacation in Curacao.

You're going to love it - see you there!

 

#rightnowincuracao #curacaopride #gaycuracao #pinkcuracao #thedivebus #divecuracao #curacao #gaytravel #divecuracao #learntodivecuracao #curacaopride

8 reasons to share the love in Curacao

Just some of the reasons why
Valentines Day is better in Curacao

1. It won't be cold and raining

So your romantic day, evening or both won't get washed out.

And if it does rain, it won't be cold and will be over in less than 10 minutes (ish), like it never happened.  

2. It's cheaper than you might think
According to this Huffington Post survey, Curacao is one of the most affordable getaways in the Caribbean...

3. There are HEAPS of culinary delights to experience - affordably
Enjoy Curaçao's huge range culinary delights with the brand new Curacao Dine Around Plan. Click below to find out how you can enjoy romantic 3 course meals and great service on your Curacao Valentines vacation:

4. Choose from a HUGE range of accommodations
Curacao offers accommodations for every budget. Check out the quality accommodations, committed to safety, quality and eco standards through CHATA, here.

Our current pick is Avila Beach Hotel, just down the road from The Dive Bus.  They're committed to sustainability like us, and have an all-inclusive option...

5. Check out heaps of awesome beaches
Many of Curacao's beaches are quite different to what you might expect on a Caribbean island. Like the lovely Pierbaai Beach at Marie Pampoen, right across the road from The Dive Bus, and the access to our gorgeous house reef.

Click here for more stunning videos of Curacao's beaches, courtesy of Nature Pics.
.

6. There's heaps of evening entertainment

Eat, drink, party, relax ... it's your choice, and there's plenty of it.

Chill's a great place for romantic sun-downers and pretty good food overlooking the ocean, and  one of The Dive Bus Crew's favourites.

2 top tips for wherever you go for dinner:

• make a reservation
• go before you're hungry (think "island time")

7. There's heaps to do in the daytime, too
There's plenty of things to do and discover together. Like discovering the island's rich and fascinating history, sailing, climbing, parasailing, wake-boarding, walking, cycling, exploring, surfing, shopping, scuba diving ... or just relaxing on the beach.

 

8. The scuba diving is world class ... 
As divers already know, diving's a great way to meet and make new friends. Some of us are even lucky enough to meet their true-love through diving, too. Which makes a Curacao dive vacation a great way to celebrate Valentines Day for at least a week...

The new Dive Bus DRIVE and DIVE Packages are a great, fun way for you and your favourite buddy to discover and explore some of Curacao's best shore dive sites,  on your own Curacao adventures.


How romantic is that!

All in all, some pretty good reasons to celebrate Valentines Day in Curacao for a week or 2 - wouldn't you say?

#avilabeachhotel #love #scuba #dive #diving #duiken #tauchen #vacation #holiday #curacao #dutchcaribbean #rightnowincuracao #caribbean  #padi #travel  #adventure  #divepackages #divecuracao #valentines #thedivebus

Lose weight: FREE PADI dive course at The Dive Bus, Curacao!

Yes, free. 
(Seriously.)

And lose weight. 

(Quite probably.)

Hurry, hurry, time's running out:
offer only valid until 30 December 2015!

If you're like many of our divers:

> you don't want to 'waste time' taking PADI dive courses on your dive vacation.

Even if it means you'll get more out of
 every dive you make - during and after the course?

> and you might think you need to be an 'advanced' diver before taking your PADI Advanced Open Water course. 

Absolutely not the case.

In fact, the PADI AOW course is basically Part 2 of the PADI Open Water course. The fun part, where you get to discover more about what you can do and see on your dives (rather than how to dive - you already did that.)

> and you probably don't want to spend precious vacation time studying.  

But what if you didn't have to?

> but you'd probably really appreciate having a PADI dive instructor giving you tips and tricks to make your tank last longer, improve your dive confidence and probably lose some of that lead.

Especially if it's FREE - right?

So you'll probably be interested to find out how you and your buddy can get the most out of your next dive vacation here in sunny Curacao - and every one afterwards?

Here's how:

When you and your buddy sign up to your PADI Advanced Open Water eLearning course with The Dive Bus, you'll get your PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty course FREE!

That's 12 PADI training dives 

for the price of 10 
and  
2 PADI certifications 
for the price of 1.

And you'll learn about the cool things you can see and do whilst diving, gain confidence, improve your dive skills, and make your tank last longer.

Simply: you'll get more out of EVERY dive.

And because you cover your learning back home via the PADI eLearning system, you'll spend more of your precious vacation time DIVING not studying. (Smart, eh?)

Here's how it works:

Step 1: 
Instead of spending your precious vacation time studying, take your PADI Advanced Open Water course online, back home, at your convenience, via the PADI eLearning Program.

Step 2: 
Once you're here in sunny Curacao, The Dive Bus Crew will take you on 5 fun PADI Adventure dives:

1. 'Get Wrecked' - Wreck dive
2. 'Meet the locals' - Naturalist dive
3. 'Dive right' - Peak Performance dive
4. 'Stop getting lost' - Navigation dive
5. 'Get down' - Deep dive

Step 3:
Be pleasantly surprised by how much your diving and confidence improves during these fun training dives. 

Step 4:
Prepare to be amazed how much your confidence and dive skills improve on your FREE additional PADI Peak Performance dive, making you into a PADI PPB Specialty diver.



For more info, check out:

•  more details of this offer here
• the PADI Advanced Open Water course with The Dive Bus Curacao, here
   
• PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty course with The Dive Bus Curacao, here
   
• The PADI eLearning program here
   
• Here for some reasons why you should take your PADI dive course with The Dive Bus Curacao Crew :o)
• More special offers and other fun ways to join in The Dive Bus 10th Birthday Bash celebrations, here.

So what are you waiting for?

Talk to your buddies, sign up to / check out this Blog for any flights / accommodation deals we hear about, and drop us an email for more info and pricing before we fill up!

Didn't dive with The Dive Bus yet? 

Isn't it about time you did?

Got like-minded dive buddies and friends? 

Share the love 'n' share this Blog.

(And help keep The Dive Bus running for another 10 years!)

Join in,

have fun!

 

Check out The Dive Bus Curacao Special Dive Weeks program 2015

Thinking of returning to The Dive Bus Curacao this year?

Check out our special Returners Weeks, just one of 10 ways we're celebrating our 10th Birthday!

Running throughout 2015, the program for these special Returners Weeks include fun diving and activities, shared with fun, awesome divers - just like YOU - who already dived with The Dive Bus, Curacao (so you know what you're letting yourselves in for!)

> Click here for Special Dive Week dates.

Limited spaces remaining on certain dates,

so don't delay, get in touch with us today!

And in case you need it, here's a little reminder
of where you could be again, soon...

Hope to see you back again soon!

SUMMARY: 10 ways YOU can join in The Dive Bus Curacao 10th Birthday Bash celebrations

Hurry, hurry, time's running out:
offers only valid until 30 December 2015!

In case you haven't noticed, we're pretty excited that
2015 marks The Dive Bus, Curacao's 10th Birthday.
  Because we couldn't have done this without YOU, we want to share a whole bunch of ways that you can join in the celebrations, whether you're here in sunny Curacao or not. 

(Of course, we'd love you to be here in person to join in too, but you already know that.)

Here's a summary / overview in case
you missed anything / got a bit overwhelmed. 

Click on any for more info, then join in and enjoy:

 Summary:

A fun week of special diving and activities, shared with awesome, fun divers - just like YOU.

   

Post a facebook birthday message video, win Dive Bus Curacao goodies.

 

Bring your favourite dive buddy team with you to Curacao this year, get 2 free days of diving....

 

Any Thursday this year, (re-) post your favourite photos or video at The Dive Bus to win Dive Bus goodies. 

Take your PADI Advanced Open Water eLearning course, get your PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty course FREE.

  

 

Dive with us on the 10th of any month this year and you'll get Birthday cake.  (If you can beat the Crew to it.)

 

Already dived with The Dive Bus but can't make the special Dive Bus Returners weeks? Get a 5 Day Dive Package for the price of a 4 Day Dive Package = 2 free dives.

Take any PADI eLearning course with The Dive Bus and save 10% when you and your buddy complete your course with us here in sunny Curacao.

Connect Ernest Hemingway, Soggy Dollars and The Dive Bus: beat the Tiki Toss challenge and win BEER...

You're the experts so email us your list of Curacao / Dive Bus Top 10s.

We'll post them so the whole world knows.

We really hope to see you at The Dive Bus this special year. But if you can't make it - join in, enjoy the celebrations and share the love and ridiculousness wherever you are.

And finally: 

 

we wouldn't be here without YOU,  so it's official: you rock.

Thanks
and hope to see you soon :o)

10 ways to celebrate The Dive Bus Curacao 10th Birthday: CAKE!

Starting 10 Feb:

Dive with us on the 10th of ANY month this year and you'll get:

If you can beat the Crew to it - but don't worry, we already tested it out for you - see below:

(See how much we care about you??) 

It's The Dive Bus Curacao Throwback Thursdays!

 
Join in!

Hurry, hurry, time's running out:

offer only valid until 30 December 2015!

Each and every Thursday, join in the The Dive Bus, Curacao's 10th Birthday Bash celebrations and (re-) post your favourite photos (or video) of you diving with us on our facebook page.


Post your photos (or video) of  Dive Bus stuff in random / cool places / positions, you and your  favourite Dive Bus Crew members, general fun, good times and / or ridiculousness with us in Curacao - whatever really, as long as it makes YOU smile.  

Each month, your entries will be judged by a jury of your peers: simply, the photo with the most likes by the cut-off date each month, wins. 

Feel free to cheat by forcing / coercing your friends, family, colleagues and complete strangers to share and like it too. And feel free to keep on submitting your photo(s) until you win (or people complain.)

What's in it for you...?

Aside from fame and glory, each month's most-liked photo wins a SUPER cool item of your choosing from The Dive Bus online store, delivered to your door.

And each month's winner enjoys the fame and glory of being featured in the almost-world-famous Dive Bus Blog and the already-world-famous-ish Dive Bus facebook page.

(WOW right?) 

So get diggin' in your photo archives and share or post your photos on The Dive Bus facebook next Thursday, and judge for yourself if YOU'LL will be the WINNER!

Start preparing for The Dive Bus Throwback Thursdays, starting 5 Feb!

10 ways you can join in and / or share

The Dive Bus 10th Birthday Bash celebrations: 

 #4

(You don't even need to leave your house /desk for this one.)

Here's where you get to embarrass yourself, your buddies, or your Dive Bus Curacao crew

AND / OR:

share the reason(s) why you LOVE diving with TDB in Curacao.

Yes indeedy:

it's The Dive Bus Curacao 

Throw Back Thursdays!

Every Thursday this year, (re-) post your favourite photos of diving with The Dive Bus, Curacao.

They can be your photos (or video) of wearing Dive Bus stuff in random / cool places / positions, you and favourite Dive Bus Crew members, general fun, good times and / or ridiculousness with us in Curacao - whatever really, as long as it makes YOU smile.  

The more ridiculous / random / feel good / embarrassing, the better.

Each month, your entries will be judged by a jury of your peers: simply, the photo with the most likes by the cut-off date each month, wins. 

Feel free to cheat by forcing / coercing your friends, family, colleagues and complete strangers to share and like it too. And feel free to keep on submitting your photo(s) until you win (or people complain.)

No bribes are acceptable (apart from the acceptable ones; you'll figure it out if you want to.)

What's in it for you...?

Aside from fame and glory, each month's most-liked photo wins a SUPER cool item from The Dive Bus online store, here.

And in addition, each month's winner enjoys the fame and glory of being featured in the almost-world-famous Dive Bus Blog and the already-world-famous-ish Dive Bus facebook page.

(WOW right?) 

So get diggin' in your photo archives because  

the challenge starts Thursday 5 Feb
and lasts all year. 

Share or post your photos on The Dive Bus facebook and judge for yourself who will be the WINNER!


Here's one to kick off 
Throwback Thursdays:

a beautiful video, shot at the old Dive Bus Hut on the beach, starring the one and only Kevin; 
shot and edited by Kevin (he's a talented guy!)




OK the dive shop has changed just a little since then
but the reef is still the same:

gorgeous.

:o)

(yes, yes, so is Kevin).

Didn't dive with The Dive Bus yet? 

Don't worry - there are PLENTY more ways you can join in the celebrations, 
keep watching this space....

Got like-minded dive buddies and friends? 

Share the love 'n' share this Blog.

(And help keep The Dive Bus running for another 10 years!)

Run (or walk) in the Sun – KLM Curacao Marathon 2014

Join in Curacao's first ever Marathon, Sunday 30 November 2014 - there's something for everyone!

2014 marks KLM's 80 year anniversary of flying to Curacao. Sponsored by KLM, this innovative event is for folks of all ages and fitness levels.

Participants can run or walk 5km or 10km, or take on a half or full marathon, or (not for the faint of heart as The Royal Netherlands Navy are involved!) a 15 k trail. There's even a special event for kids - the Lito Kids’ Run - on Saturday 29 November, sponsored by Maduro & Curiel’s Bank.

The route will be unique, to say the least. 

Starting from Lions Dive & Beach Resort, participants will head along the Curacao coastline and the colourful Handelskadeover, past schools and local neighbourhoods you may never otherwise notice, over the famous Queen Emma pontoon bridge (‘swinging old lady’) and the Queen Juliana Bridge. At a height of 185 feet (> 100m) above sea level, this is the highest bridge in the Caribbean and usually closed to pedestrians, so a very cool - and unique - opportunity.

Musical support along the entire route will help motivate participants and spectators alike, and hotels (including Avila Hotel, Renaissance Curacao Resort & Casino, Hilton Curacao Resort, Kura Hulanda Village & Spa Curacao) and the Curacao Tourist Bureau will provide drinking stations. And Dolfijn FM radio and Curom online radio will be reporting the event from start to finish.

The evening before, a traditional ‘Pasta Party’, the first of its kind in Curacao, developed with the support of Pascal Jalhay (Michelin star chef and marathon runner) and Curacao “Culinair”, will get the party started.

The finish and after-party will be celebrated at one of the island’s most popular beaches, in front of the Lions Dive Hotel & Beach Resort, where the awards will be presented on a stage floating in the ocean. 

The Run in the Sun Foundation is organising this event, in cooperation with the Curacao Tourist Board, Curacao Athletics Association and the Curacao Hospitality and Tourism Association (CHATA) and members.  

The goal of the Foundation is to promote running on Curacao among people of all ages. Their charity, ‘Run 4 Shoes!’ makes running shoes available to Curacao children to encourage an active, healthy lifestyle. Participants can donate whilst registering for the Marathon.

And CHATA members, The Dive Bus, will have special offers for all participants to enjoy the exact opposite of the Marathon: a quiet, relaxing underwater Curacao experience! Watch this space for more info coming soon.

To register or for more info:

• klmcuracaomarathon.com 
• www.facebook.com/klmcuracaomarathon  

 

All in all, this will be a spectacular and unique event in which to participate or spectate and support. 

Please share with your friends, family and colleagues!

Divin' and Rod Stewart - only in Curacao, baby!

If live jazz(-ish) music and scuba diving and a Caribbean island just happen to be some of your most favourite-ist things ever, you're in luck! 

Jazz up your Labor Day weekend at the Curaçao 2014 North Sea Jazz Festival, August 29 and 30.

As usual, there's an incredible line-up of performers for your evenings' entertainment - Including Rod Stewart, can you believe it?!  Here for program, tickets and more info.  

Then spend your days relaxing underwater to the beat of your own bubbles, exploring the beautiful reefs of Curacao... 

Dive Packages start from 3 days of 2 tank guided dives starting from less than $300 per diver (min 2 divers) - click here for Dive Package pricing  and here for more info about diving with The Dive Bus.

Not only will you spot some very cool things on your dives (at some very cool dive sites), you'll also spot some VERY cool artists performing at the North Sea Jazz Festival, Curacao - click here for more info and latest list of performers.

So get down and go down with The Dive Bus 

@ Curacao North Sea Jazz Festival 2014.

Questions? More info about The Dive Bus?
Click here and hope to see you soon :o)