IMPORTANT INFORMATION

⚠️ Freelancers and Alleged “Diving Schools”

Warning regarding independent, unregistered, uninsured freelancers whom are not affiliated to any agency-registered dive facility or center. 

Before booking any dive experience, always ensure your instructor meets ALL of the following criteria:

1️⃣ In active teaching status with a recognized agency (SSI®, SDI®, PADI®, etc.)
2️⃣ Properly insured for instructional activities
3️⃣ Affiliated with an agency-inspected and certified training facility / dive center.

Certified training facilities and dive centers are listed on their training agency’s websites. This ensures the diving operator is regularly inspected, follows safety protocols, and operates under proper quality control standards.

⚠️ Chamber of Commerce registration alone is not a substitute for recognized dive industry credentials and compliance with safety standards. While any business can register locally, this does not verify diving credentials, insurance, or adherence to agency protocols. Being listed on an agency’s official website (SSI®, SDI®, PADI®, etc.) as an official dive center is the ONLY RELIABLE WAY to confirm legitimacy.

⚠️ Be cautious of operators who appear legitimate, but lack affiliation with a certified dive center. Wearing branded clothing or using a business name (e.g., “Red Tuna Diving”, “Dive with XYZ”) may create the illusion of legitimacy—but without agency recognition, there is no oversight or quality assurance.

⚠️ Avoid booking with instructors who operate independently without affiliation to an official dive center. These individuals often lack current insurance, proper equipment servicing, and accountability to professional standards. Training facilities and diving centers are required to have diving insurance in order.

👉 Choosing the “cheapest option” might seem like a bargain—but it can compromise your safety and undermines the integrity of the Curaçao diving community.

✅ Elite Diving Curaçao is a fully registered business, officially recognized as an SDI® and SSI® dive center, meeting all agency and safety requirements.

Prioritize Professionalism. Dive Responsively.

⚕️Medical and Health Considerations 

Diving is generally safe for individuals in good health or with well-managed medical conditions. In many cases, diving with disabilities or certain mobility impairments is also possible (e.g. SDI® Scubility Diver or SSI® Classified Diver programs), provided this has been discussed and agreed upon with the instructor prior to booking. Our team is trained and certified to dive with individuals with disabilities and is happy to explore options to accommodate individual needs whenever possible.

All participants should in principle:

  1. have basic swimming skills

  2. Feel comfortable in the water

  3. Have no cold or nasal congestion

  4. Have consumed no drugs, alcohol or certain prescription drugs twelve (12) hours prior in-water activities.

  5. Not fly at least 12 hours after diving or as the agency standard indicates

In addition, all participants must complete a medical statement before engaging in any in-water activities. Medical clearance from a physician would be required if:

  • You have any known medical conditions

  • You have undergone medical procedures

  • You answer "YES" to any of the designated questions on the medical statement

Please review the medical statement carefully and follow all instructions. If medical clearance is required, it must be obtained prior to booking and experience or program.

You can download the medical statements here:

📄Medical Statement (English)
📄Medische Verklaring (Nederlands)
📄Cuestionario de Informe Médico (Español)

For participants who require medical clearance while already in Curaçao, we recommend the following practice, known for its experience with dive fitness evaluations and understanding of diving-specific medical requirements:

          Porto Medico (Medical Services & Travel Clinic)
       📍 Address: Hato International Airport, Curaçao
       📞 Phone: (+599) 9 888-75 11
       🌐 Website: www.portomedico.com

We encourage guests who need medical clearance to contact the clinic in advance to schedule an appointment, as availability may vary, especially during peak tourist periods. The clinic staff are familiar with the specific forms and standards required for diving activities.

🤿 To All Participants

To participate in any of our diving or snorkeling activities, the following conditions apply:

  • All certified divers must present proof of certification from an internationally recognized scuba diving agency.

  • You may be required to show your logbook for verification of recent diving experience.

  • All participants must fully complete and sign the 📄Elite Diving Curaçao e-Waiver before engaging in any diving, snorkeling activities or renting equipment.

Failure to meet these requirements will result in denial of equipment rental and participation in diving or snorkeling activities.

⏸️ Inactive Certified Divers

To ensure a safe and enjoyable diving experience, we require the following for certified divers who have not dived recently:

  • If your last dive was 12 months ago or longer, a refresher dive with one of our professionals is mandatory.

  • If your last dive was between 12 months and 10 years ago, and you wish to dive without a professional guide, you must complete an Inactive Diver/Refresher course.

  • If your last dive was more than 10 years ago, you will be required to complete a full Open Water Diver course before diving with us.

Kindly note that if these conditions are not met Elite Diving Curaçao will not provide rental equipment or allow participation in any diving activities.

♿ Classified (Disabled) Divers

A classified (disabled) diver is a scuba diver with a physical or cognitive disability who is trained and certified to dive within limits adapted to their specific abilities. Disabled individuals may also participate in diving experiences that do not require further training/certification. Whne it comes to training/certification, instead of a “one-size-fits-all” approach, training standards are adjusted to the individual, allowing them to enjoy scuba diving safely and with confidence.

Classified/Adaptive Diver Programs

Programs such SDI® Scubility Diver or SSI® Classified Diver are designed to make scuba diving accessible to people with disabilities. An alternative name for this kind of program is “Adaptive diver” or “Adaptive Diving Techniques”.

These programs:

  • Provide personalized training based on the diver’s abilities and comfort level.

  • Establish clear classifications that define the level of independence a diver has underwater and when a specially trained dive buddy or professional is required.

  • Ensure safety and inclusivity, allowing disabled divers to experience the underwater world alongside friends, family, or other divers.

  • Promote family involvement, making it possible for loved ones to train together and share diving experiences.

In short, classified diver programs ensure that scuba diving remains an activity where everyone, regardless of disability, can safely participate and belong.

Elite Diving Curaçao is trained, certified and equipped to dive with individuals with disabilities and is happy to explore options to accommodate individual needs whenever possible. Please contact us for more information.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Junior Participants

At Elite Diving Curaçao, the safety and enjoyment of our young divers are our highest priority. We offer programs designed to introduce children to scuba diving and support their progression as they grow older and gain experience. The following terms and conditions apply to all junior divers participating in our programs.

Parents or legal guardians of children must fill the form 📄 Notice to the Minor Child’s Natural Guardian in addition to all standard forms applicable to the experience/program.

Junior Confined Water Programs

The SDI® Future Buddies  and SSI® Explorers programs are designed for children who are below the minimum certification age, aimed at children between the ages of 8 and 12. It provides a fun and safe introduction to scuba diving in confined water under the direct supervision of a certified SDI professional.

  • The program is conducted exclusively in a pool.

  • Participants are not certified divers and may not dive in open water.

  • A parent or legal guardian must be present during all sessions.

Junior Open Water Divers

A Junior Open Water Diver is a certified diver between the ages of 10 and 14.

  • All Junior Open Water Divers must be accompanied at all times during open water dives — whether from shore or boat — by a certified Open Water Diver who is their parent or legal guardian.

Depth limitations:

  • 10–11 years old: Maximum depth of 40 feet / 12 meters.

  • 12–14 years old: Maximum depth of 60 feet / 18 meters.

When a SDI Junior Open Water Diver reaches the age of 15, they may upgrade to a SDI Open Water Scuba Diver certification by completing the Junior Open Water Upgrade Form and submitting it to World HQ

Junior Advanced [Adventurer] Divers

The minimum age to enroll in (a) the Junior Advanced Adventurer or (b) the Junior Advanced Diver course is 12 years old.

  • 10–11-year-old divers may complete the Junior Adventure Diver program (confined or limited open water dives).

  • Once they turn 12, they can complete the deep dive component to earn the Junior Advanced Open Water Diver certification.

Junior Advanced Open Water Divers (ages 12–14) must be accompanied at all times during open water dives — whether from shore or boat — by a certified Open Water Diver who is their parent or legal guardian.

Depth limitation (until turning 15 years of age) is 70 feet / 21 meters.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Most programs (like Scuba Discovery) welcome participants from age 10 and up. Some junior programs may start at 8 years old in a pool.

  • For introductory programs (like Scuba Discovery), basic comfort in water is enough. For certification (e.g., Open Water), yes — you need to meet minimum swim and float requirements.

  • Beginner divers typically stay within 12 meters / 40 feet on experience dives. Certified Open Water divers can go to 18 meters / 60 feet.

  • Scuba diving is very safe when done with certified instructors, properly maintained equipment, and by following training standards. Always dive within your limits.

  • We provide all necessary gear for our courses and guided dives — mask, fins, regulator, BCD, tank, wetsuit, and weights. You’re welcome to bring your own. Please, do bring your own beach towel.

  • Yes, but it’s recommended to wait at least 12 hours after a single before flying. The number of dives and the type of diving may increase the time interval before you can fly. Please let us know of your flight plans before booking any diving experience/courses.

  • A typical recreational dive lasts between 30 to 60 minutes, depending on depth, air consumption, and dive plan.

  • You should be in generally good health. Some medical conditions require a doctor's clearance before diving. We provide a medical questionnaire before participation.

    For more detailed information, please go to the section “Medical and Health Considerations” under IMPORTANT INFORMATION.

  • ScubaDiscovery is a try-dive experience — no certification, no prior experience.

    Open Water certification qualifies you to dive with a buddy independently from a diving professional up to 18 meters / 60 feet.

  • You can wear soft contact lenses while diving. Alternatively, there are prescription masks available, but we tend to recommend this once you are planning to dive regularly. Please remind your instructor you are wearing contact lenses before in-water activities.

  • Expect to see colorful reef fish, turtles, moray eels, octopus, and sometimes rays or nurse sharks. Curaçao’s reefs are vibrant and diverse!

  • Yes! About 90% of Curaçao diving is from shore. Our guides make access easy and safe, and the reefs are close to shore.

  • We strongly recommend booking in advance — especially during high season — to secure your spot and ensure equipment availability.