At the Tug Boat Beach, near a big jetty (Dock) and industrial garbage, the Coral Restoration Foundation Curacao maintains coral supporting trees. These trees hold coral fragments, providing them with perfect growing conditions. The Foundation helps rebuilding reefs by outplanting clusters of corals on structures all along the coast of Curacao. The corals will in time overgrow their structure and form a new, independent coral colony to house many types of fish and marine species.
Tugboat is a wonderful snorkel spot on Curacao, despite the fact that it in an industrial area, right next to a dock and a huge gas exploration ship. This location is famous for the Tugboat wreck and has a snorkling shop and a small café.
Kayaking in one of the largest protected mangrove swamps in the south of Bonaire and snorkelling through channels. We saw upside down Jellyfish (Quallen), attached to the bottom, and a lot of fish. Mangroves are breeding places for fish, that are well protected from predators (Verfolgern) here.
I have never seen so many squids. At the Tugboat Beach in Curacao there seemed to be several families with adult animals and children that were swimming in the shallow water.
Anti-fouling paint is a special coating that is applied to the hull of a ship. The coating is used to slow down the growth of marine organisms such as barnacles, slime, algae and mossy weed. However, disappointingly, after three months in Puerto Calero, Lanzarote, our boat had to be taken out of the water and the hull had to be scrubbed.
More than that two days of work was needed to clean the hull, as shown on the right side of the picture. Our friends Frank, Ivan and Stefan helped Fred and me to do the job.
Additional, some sail and rigg improvements were done by Fred.
After weeks of cold water at the Atlantic coasts of France, Spain and northern Portugal, the Algarve, with its nearly mediteranien climate, invites to snorkeling and diving.
Diving and snorkeling is not so easy on the Cape Verdian Islands. You have to overcome vicious shore breaks and currents. Wet suits are recommended.
Underwater, however, you may enjoy coral reefs, 639 species of fish including Mantas, sharks and turtles. (Which we did not see, unluckily). More Information: Stewart, Murray. Cape Verde (Bradt Travel Guides)
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