Westpunt
Curaçao · Caribbean
Westpunt on Curaçao's western tip is the island's best diving — long walls, healthy coral, quiet shore diving access, and the Mushroom Forest. Less developed than Bonaire but with a similar shore dive culture emerging.
How this reef is doing
ⓘ How we measure thisReef state
Caribbean wall diving with consistent shore access. Cover has thinned but mid depth walls hold reasonably.
Coral cover
Fish life
Heat
No unusual heat right now.
Fishing
Protected on paper, but boats are still busy nearby.
Sources · AGRRA and GCRMN reef surveys · NOAA Coral Reef Watch · Global Fishing Watch and reef gravity
Coral cover over time
Live coral cover, by survey year
Across surveys in 2014 and 2024, live coral cover here has fallen from 33% to 22%. Every point is a real survey reading, never a projection.
Live coral cover, percent by year
| Year | Coral cover |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 33% |
| 2024 | 22% |
What you will see
23 species across the dive sites here
French angelfish
Seen 27 days ago
at Mushroom Forest
Least concern
Stoplight parrotfish
Seen 28 days ago
at Tugboat (Tugboat Beach)
Least concern
Spotted scorpionfish
Seen 1 month ago
at Tugboat (Tugboat Beach)
Least concern
Venezuelan Troupial
Seen 1 month ago
at Mushroom Forest
Least concern
Great barracuda
Seen 1 month ago
at Superior Producer
Least concern
Tarpon
Seen 1 month ago
at Superior Producer
Vulnerable
Sergeant major
Seen 1 month ago
at Tugboat (Tugboat Beach)
Least concern
Yellowtail snapper
Seen 2 months ago
at Tugboat (Tugboat Beach)
Laurent'S Whiptail
Seen 2 months ago
at Mushroom Forest
Least concern
Hawksbill turtle
Seen 2 months ago
at Watamula
Critically endangered
Queen angelfish
Seen 2 months ago
at Mushroom Forest
Least concern
Banded coral shrimp
Seen 3 months ago
at Superior Producer
Green moray
Seen 3 months ago
at Superior Producer
Least concern
Orange cup coral
Seen 3 months ago
at Superior Producer
Lettuce Coral
Seen 3 months ago
at Mushroom Forest
Vulnerable
Caribbean reef octopus
Seen 3 months ago
at Tugboat (Tugboat Beach)
Least concern
Longlure frogfish
Seen 3 months ago
at Superior Producer
Least concern
Longsnout seahorse
Seen 4 months ago
at Tugboat (Tugboat Beach)
Near threatened
Spotted moray
Seen 5 months ago
at Mushroom Forest
Least concern
Spotted eagle ray
Seen 8 months ago
at Watamula
Endangered
Horse-eye jack
Seen 11 months ago
at Superior Producer
Least concern
Sea turtle
Seasonal visitor
at Mushroom Forest
Reef shark
Rare sighting
at Watamula
Vulnerable
Dive sites
Mushroom Forest
queen angelfish · french angelfish · spotted moray · sea turtle
Watamula
hawksbill turtle · spotted eagle ray · tarpon · reef shark
Tugboat (Tugboat Beach)
sergeant major · stoplight parrotfish · yellowtail snapper · longsnout seahorse
Superior Producer
tarpon · great barracuda · orange cup coral · horse-eye jack
What divers say
Curaçao west end is what Bonaire was 15 years ago — quieter and just as good.
Good to know
Rental car
Essential for shore diving the west end.