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Mushroom forest
 Curacao, Netherlands
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Max Depth: 51-60ft/16-18m
Average Viz: 81-90ft/25-27m
Entry Type: Boat
Bottom Composition: Sand
Aquatic Life: Plenty To See
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Rating: 4.67 by 3 divers
Fall: 81-85°F/27-29°C
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Mushroom forest is a boat accessible salt water dive site, located in Curacao, Netherlands. This dive site has an average rating of 4.67 out of 5 from 3 scuba divers. The maximum depth is 51-60ft/16-18m. The average visibility is 81-90ft/25-27m.
The area of San Nicolas offers a number of excellent sites, several days could easily be spend on this area just diving and exploring. Look for the sign on the main road, follow the dirt road to the plantation house and blow your horn, someone will come out to collect your entrance fee. A four wheel drive is strongly recommended, especially in the rainy season. These sites are for the adventurous, as they are well "off the beaten path".
The scenery is nothing short of spectacular. There are no facilities. Entering the water is difficult, due to the high cliffs, so contacting one of the local dive operators for a boat dive is an option. The site is called Mushroom Forrest because the large number of mountainous star coral growing vertical on an sandy plateau for a "Forrest of mushrooms". The mushroom shapes occurred because the the coral heads have been bio-eroded at their base to narrow columns by boring clams and sponges. They make great hiding places for tiny sea creatures. The Forrest can be disorientating so a compass can come in very handy. There is a large cave along the cliffside where you will often spot schools of fingerlings, and from time to time a nurse shark can be found sleeping under the ledge. Visibility averages 26 m (85 ft), wave action is calm and sometimes the current can be strong; the depth is from 12 m (40 ft) to 18 m (60 ft). Numerous species of fish and coral can be spotted here; flower corals, giant brain corals, anemones, turtles, porcupinefish, smooth trunkfish, yellowtail snapper, parrotfish, grouper, spotted drums, spotted morays, green morays, lobster and conch.
YouTube;
youtube.com/watch?v=6wFyV8KntAA