Welcome to the February 2026 edition of TheScubaDirectory newsletter, where we explore the incredible world beneath the surface of the ocean.

In this month's edition:

• 9 Best Dive Sites in Curaçao in 2026
• PADI Celebrates 60 years of Scuba Diving
• Ocean Survivor: Five Feet Long, One Hour Without Air

New on TheScubaDirectory Blog

9 Best Dive Sites in Curaçao in 2026

Image Credit: Logan Brown

🌴This past January, I spent two weeks on the beautiful Dutch island of Curaçao. Traveling with young kids and a larger group meant that shore diving was the perfect fit, and Curaçao absolutely delivered.

With calm conditions, easy access, and crystal-clear water, the island is ideal for divers who want flexibility without sacrificing dive quality.

Curaçao sits outside the hurricane belt and offers healthy reefs, colorful coral, and abundant marine life just a short swim from shore. Many sites are accessible for all experience levels, and several have kid‑friendly beaches where families can relax between dives.

Based on our dives and community ratings, we’ve rounded up the top 9 dive sites in Curaçao, as ranked on TheScubaDirectory. If you’re planning a family trip, a relaxed dive vacation, or just want reliable shore dives you can count on, this list is a great place to start.

👉 Read the full blog

Been Diving or Snorkeling Lately?

Image Credit: user R CS

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🙏 Please take a moment to review a dive site, snorkel spot, or dive shop. Your input helps everyone!

Industry News

PADI Celebrates 60 years of Scuba Diving

Image Credit: padi.com

In the mid 1960s, two divers in the US shared a common frustration. Learning to scuba dive felt overly complicated and inconsistent. Training standards varied, materials were outdated, and the process often discouraged people who were genuinely excited to get underwater.

Rather than accept that as “just the way it is,” they decided to rethink how dive education could work. Their idea was simple but bold for the time. Create a system that was structured, professional, and designed around the student experience. One that made diving feel achievable, not intimidating.

With very limited resources and a lot of determination, that idea became PADI.

What followed was a steady shift in how scuba training was delivered around the world. Clear course structures, consistent standards, and an emphasis on confidence and enjoyment helped open diving to a much wider audience. Over time, what began as a small experiment grew into the largest diver training organization on the planet.

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Ocean Survivor: Five Feet Long, One Hour Without Air

Image credit: Simon Pierce

Marine iguanas are one of the most unusual reptiles on Earth. These remarkable lizards live only in the Galápagos Islands and have evolved to use the ocean in ways almost no other reptile does.

Unlike most lizards that stick to land, marine iguanas regularly swim out to feed on algae that grow on rocks in the sea. Larger individuals may travel farther from shore and cling to underwater surfaces with sharp claws while grazing. Because the algae and seawater contain so much salt, they rid themselves of the excess by sneezing salty crystals from special glands near their noses.

After time in cold water, these reptiles must warm up. They gather on sun-baked rocks where their dark bodies absorb heat. Warming together helps them maintain energy and get ready for the next feeding trip.

Marine iguanas are also capable of extraordinary breath-holding. Research shows they can stay under for long feeding sessions that allow them to reach algae at depth before returning to the surface.

Despite their adaptability, marine iguanas are vulnerable. They are currently listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, and challenges like habitat change, limited food supply during El Niño events, and introduced predators remain serious threats.

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Thanks for reading! If you have any comments or suggestions for this newsletter please contact us at admin@thescubadirectory.com.

Happy Diving,

Logan Brown