Superior Producer

This is an overview of the protected swimming area of the hotel. The dive entry is in the background. Your entry will be off this concrete jetty. The dive shop is near this point. Parking is at the Holiday Beach Hotel. You'll need to check in with the dive shop to see how, when, and where you should dive. Give them a call before you head over. Wind, waves and current affect this site. Check with the dive shop, and ask for a guide for added safety.

We weren't trying to make it to the Producer, but am writing this review to advise of a new dive shop in the Holiday Beach Hotel adjacent: Goby Divers. This is the location pictured in the opening photo. They have re-opened and remodeled the previous shop and dock facility, and have all new equipment for rentals as well. This is a PADI facility. The proprietor, Andhiela van Hoof-Buso was extremely cordial and helpful on our visit to the island while cruising on the Noordam. The location is an easy walk over from the cruise ship pier on the Otrabanda side. For the shore dive out from the shop, this has to be THE easiest and one of the best-preserved reefs we have found in the Caribbean (you know, one of those dives where you really feel like you're in an aquarium?) Immediately on entry from a shallow protected sandy beach you come upon a rope line underwater which guides you right out to the reef. Further for a reference point a directional sign rests on the bottom at 50 ft. Current was strong at shallow depth but negligible on the reef. I should mention they do dive the Superior Producer when there are no ships at the nearby dock. Have fun! www.goby-divers.com facebook.com/GobyDivers or Andhiela@Goby-Divers.com DISCLAIMER: I have no connection with this shop whatsoever, but can't recommend them enough!

The location of the ship has not been marked for years. Current law states that if there is a cruise ship at the mega pier one is not allowed to dive. Currents can really change at this site and this particular day they were the worst I ever experienced. Yes, the dive was fun and enjoyed the wreck but the currents were so strong no one else made it to the wreck. Staying behind the wheel house was fine, (or inside) but once in direct flow it was a workout, (and air consumption went quick) See my video of how to locate the ship from shore. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXyxJb9FKpc&list=UU8Q6PAf5MPKpA4k0YsedHtQ

I did my PADI Wreck Diving specialty on this wreck. It was a very nice ship to start on, although the current was very strong. Furthermore a nice wreck to dive on. Best place to enter the ship is across the wheel-house, and continue through the manhole. Take a flashlight with you, because it's pretty dark, and there are a lot of things to see, especially huge lobsters. Also the maintenance room is worth a look.

The Producer is a very good dive and a must for those visiting Curacao. Though the entry is a bit rough (wear booties due to rocks), once in the water, you are going to have a great dive. Sometimes the current is kinda strong, so it's best to descend about 100 yards (or meters) to the east of the buoy that marks the bow of the ship, drop on the ship and do a "drift" back towards the Holiday Beach Hotel and hit the Tango Bar for refreshments after the dive.

I have over 50 dives on this wreck so I maybe a little partial to it. The entry from shore is doable, but the waves can get a bit choppy. I would suggest parking at the Holiday Beach and getting a ride to the shore entry if the currents are going towards the HBH. Beginners and even inter. divers might want to get a guide from the HBH dive shop. The dive itself is amazing. A little for everyone from drifting at 80ft along the side to a night dive around the engine room. After about 20 to 30 mins on the wreck you can drift back to the HBH for an easy exit and a secure car. Have fun and say hi to my friends at the HBH and Hooks Hut (Diversity.)

Dove by boat. It's an easy dive from boat but overall would not rank this site very high compared to other dives in Curacao. Little fish life and coral growth. You can swim in and out of parts of the ship. If you have never dived a wreck it is worth a shot.

I have to tell you up front, I am not sure this spot is worth the effort it takes to get to it from shore. A looong swim in heavy surf the day we went made it very tiring. After arriving we dropped down to the wreck and got oriented with the group. I was disappointed by the lack of animal life and the boat is not very coral covered. I did hear it is a great night dive when the coral blooms, but I wouldn't waste my time. We swam through the boat and around the outside and were heading back with only 20 minutes of dive time before we were at the 1/2 air mark. A total of 32 minutes for the dive. And while we were gone, someone broke into the truck and stole a ton of stuff. Must had had a jimmy bar because they locked it back up for us after they stole the equipment. Didn't want anyone else in on the remnants I guess. There are many other spots to see & dive in Curacao, I wouldn't go back.

Great Dive! First time to the Superior for both myself and my partner Lisa. What a site to see. Fair amount of fish could be seen both within and on the outside. Saw the most Beautiful Kissing Fish ever. The current was very strong, to the point that you had to hold on or you would drift way from the ship. I have to say that this is a must-see.

In one of the earlier reviews, the anonymous reviewer mentioned breathing air in an air pocket in the hull of the ship. Don't do it. While he may have survived to tell his tale, these underwater air pockets are notorious for being toxic, because of the corrosive effects of the seawater on the ship. Some caves are known to contain toxic pockets, as well, because of decaying coral or other organic material. They are also low in oxygen, as there is really no way to replenish the oxygen in that air space. With each breath the CO2 content goes up and the O2 down. As far as my comments on the ship, I was disappointed by the scarcity of fish around the wreck. The most interesting part was the part I didn't see. I found the small entrance to the engine compartment late in the dive and didn't enter because of bottom time limitations. I'll definitely head straight for that the next time to see what's lurking down there. This is not for the inexperienced. Overhead environments and confined spaces can be extremely dangerous for many reasons.

It was a really nice dive. The entry at the Mega pier is a little tricky with the rocks. The dive was excellent and plenty to see. Be very careful parking on the dirt road at the Mega Pier. I dove yesterday and had a great dive only to surface to find my vehicle stolen. Let me tell you this is no way to end a dive. Yes, it is a longer swim out from the Holiday Beach Resort, but you can believe I will be swimming next time, and there will be a next dive.

Just West of the Cruise ship Mega terminal is the entry site for the Superior Producer. Park on the dirt on the shore. The entry can challenging, since the shore is exposed to the surf. It is pretty shallow for quite a ways out, and there are sea urchins in the shallows. A large buoy is attached to the middle of the shipwreck. This is a great dive, and well worth doing. On the way back don't forget to spend some time on the shallow reef, which is quite pretty in it's own right.

We wound up diving the Superior Producer as a boat dive with Ocean Encounters (not what we had planned), so I can't review the entry & exit. One item the DM cautioned us about is the wreck is getting less stable and some of the support beams have collapsed - so we didn't swim in the cargo hold areas. Several barracuda hanging around the wreck. Overall, a nice wreck dive and worth diving while on Curacao, but for reef life there are sites we liked better.

Superior Producer is the best wreck out there. It's a little scary when the large cruise ships are in, but well worth it. Sometimes the water is a emerald green color on the way down, but it will clear up once you hit the wreck. Watch out where you park your car as local hooligans might try to break in. A good solution is to have someone drop you off and arrange a pickup after the dive. Make sure to check out the artifacts left over in the hull of the ship, there is a purse and a shirt down there for sure. The best secret is the air pocket in a cargo hold on the side of the ship. Nothing is stranger than breathing air under 100 feet of water! (Great spot for a quick romantic moment, as well.) =)

Good site, nice wreck!

Entry off dirt parking area with some broken glass. Entry over rocky, slippery area not as bad as it looks. Dive is very enjoyable a for intermediate and advanced divers. Ship in very good condition some of the jeans are still stuck in the cargo hold. The owner of the Holiday Beach hotel said the ship was swamped in high seas leaving port in high sea state.

When I pulled up I thought "this looks tough", but its not too bad. We went when there, there was quite a current, still OK, only tripped once getting out. The place is built up all around, but you feel alone when you park to dive it, don't know how to explain the feeling further. Don't enter where the dive marker rock is, enter to the left (depending on current) of where the mooring buoy (red/white ball) is. The Mooring ball is anchored to the Superior Producer. The water where you enter is a bit nasty, it's all the bilge water from the harbor. You will also see more parasites on the fish here. The water clears up as you descend and there is the ship. Great dive!

A Must if your ever in Curacao! Either a boat dive from the Holiday Beach getting a ride for a shore entry. Nice Barracuda! On a multi-level dive my dive buddy Ryan and I saw a barracuda that was easily 4-6 ft (conservative est.), in the cargo-hold. Beautiful! The dusk night dive was the most challenging. Surf is relentless on a windy day, until you clear the coral (wear boots) or it will be a short dive. With BC full, drift for about five min S.S.East of the dive buoy. It was attached to the bow before it was seen floating in front of the Holiday Beach following a real strong storm in Apr-May '03. Ask Anton at the Hol-Beach Dive Center, he knows. We thought we had a NEW shore dive from the Hotel. At the port side use the current, it can carry you up the wheel-house to the forward cargo hold and then down. Once in the hold your at 100-110 ft, watch your DT and allow about 8-10 min at depth average. Watch your head at the cargo hatch slats, the cause of her going down in '77. Then do a drift dive back to the Holiday Beach, allowing about 100-150 psi to get back. Head NNW until you're along the reef, then W and you might see the sea turtles during the day. We didn't have a compass on the night dive. Weird! If your unsure of the area, get a guide from the Dive Center.

I did three dives on the Superior Producer and was in awe every time. I wouldn't recommend trying to enter this dive from the Holiday Beach... it's one heck of a swim out (usually against the current). My recommendation is to enter near the pier (not visible in the pictures (there is a dive rock identifying the site). Entry can be a bit tricky and boots are a must! Best to inflate your BC and start floating as quickly as possible. Start your decent about two thirds the way to the buoy. The wreck comes into view around 40ft, looming like a huge shadow. The wreck is upright and has become home to many creatures. The cargo bay is wide open and easily accessible. We always did a multi-level dive here. After spending about 8-10 minutes on the wreck we headed west along the reef and exited at the Holiday Beach. Speaking of Holiday Beach... This is another great dive site! There is a spectacular double reef that shouldn't be missed! The first reef is great for beginners (my open water cert) and the second reef is awesome for all. To the left it drops down to 100ft plus pretty quick (watch your depth) to the right it stays around 60-80ft. Beautiful unspoiled coral, very large schools of fish and a wide variety of tropical fish.

Waves were up to 4-5ft high. But once below, it was great. Max depth of around 110ft by the propeller. Entry to the cargo hold possible with some trapped air visible at the ceiling area. But most of the booty are long gone. Entry to the lower bridge is also possible, which routes to the upper bridge. Watch your air, especially if you are penetrating to the bridge. Air disappears before you know it. 15ft safety stop fluctuated due to the rough surfs.

It lived up to all of my expectations. Entry was rocky, but not difficult. There was a tanker at the pier up-wind, so the waves were minimal, with no noticeable current. We descended halfway between shore & the buoy. 1st sight of the wreck was breathtaking. Saw remnants of clothes still in the cargo hold. Jars & bottles still litter the easily accessible wheel house & berthing.

2002/23/3 Very difficult shore entry during strong winds. The red/white marking rock on the side of the road is too much to the right, head at 210 degrees from the shore to approach the SP. The wreck itself is very impressive, approach head-on on dive through the cargo area. We spotted a huge barracuda near the screw propeller. Still no diving when a cruise ship is in the vicinity.

Entered from the dirt parking lot across the riprap of broken sharp and slippery iron shore. Surf had best be small when you do that. Take a bearing on the Mooring buoy. Once across the riprap, the dive is a breeze. Nice wreck. Watch your Air, Depth and Time. Since September 11 2001, you can't do this dive if there is a Cruise ship in.

After trying unsuccessfully to do this twice as a boat dive (once, boat too crowded, next time surface marker buoy not there) we got a dive master from Silent Immersion - great dive shop! -to take us to the wreck as a shore dive. Right choice! We did an entry from the extreme right of the aerial view; the current was pretty strong - the laidback dive master said the strongest he'd seen, and lots of surface chop - but what a dive! The wreck is everything it's advertised to be. Watch your air and depth.

Entry is flat, but pretty rocky. We dived it in the morning before the sun got very high, so visibility was not quite as good as the rest of the dives we made on Curacao. Wreck wasn't visible upon descent until about 30-40 feet. That said, it is a very impressive wreck. One may enter the cargo storage areas from above if so inclined. No facilities present. One other group of 3 divers while we were there.