Characteristics
Shore dive
Boat dive
Wreck
Beach facilities
Entry fee

Description
The tugboat is one of the few boat wrecks that Curacao has. It is located at the sea side of the Baya Beach Club in front of the dive operator at this location.

From the sandy beach in front of the dive school you can easily enter the water. There is no additional fee for divers anymore and the people of the dive operation are very friendly. You can hire equipment here and you can even be brought by water taxi to some other dive locations. There is also a small bar for your after dive drinks.
Diving at this location is special because there are several attractions. Entering the water and diving eastward (to the left) you swim along the gradual drop-off. First there is not much coral but that changes quite soon. After 5 to 10 minutes swimming you reach a vertical wall. Very impressive. The wall is covered with rope sponges that hang down like plants. There are also some large Elephant ear sponges and patches of very bright yellow branching tube sponges. Don't dive till half tank in this direction, because there is more to see on the way back. Swimming back at the shoulder of the drop-off you can see the chain to the buoy that marks the tugboat. Swim toward the shore from that point and you will reach the tugboat in shallow water. There are always lots of Yellowtail Snappers and a few large Blue Parrotfishes. The divers feed the fishes at this location and that explains why these fishes are absolutely not shy. But once again, don't use your remaining air at this point, because the main attraction is still coming. Swim further along the drop-off and after another 5 to 10 minutes you see the underwater structure of the pier. Swim under the pier and enjoy the beautiful sponges at all the concrete piles. At the end of the pier turn left and swim till the main beach of Baya beach club.

How to get there

Coming from town you have to follow the Caracasbaai road (road to the Caracas Bay) till the roundabout at the end. There you make a three quarter turn. Drive that road till the end. There you should see the entrance to the Baya Beach Club (see picture). You have to pay your entrance fee at the gate. Drive along the road towards the beach. At the first occasion go left and then at the following crossing turn right. Follow this road. It leads you toward the main beach, but you have to go a little further. At the next crossing turn right and park you car at in the parking lots. Facing the Caracas Bay you have the main beach at your right hand side and the Dive operator at your left hand side.

Additional Information

For pictures taken during a dive at this location look at the following gallery