TravelTalkOnline
Dutch Dive at Karakter
Posted By: CaribJoe
Dutch Dive at Karakter - 12/24/2015 02:41 PM
Given new ownership this past year, does anyone know if Karakter will still have its traditional Dutch Dive party on New Year's Day? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: GaKaye
Re: Dutch Dive at Karakter - 12/24/2015 03:50 PM
El Zafiro just posted on their Facebook page that the New Years Dive will be held there.
Posted By: CaribJoe
Re: Dutch Dive at Karakter - 12/24/2015 04:29 PM
I understand that El Zafiro has limited parking, and the nearby area is normally crowded with patrons of Sunset Bar.
Can't imagine the congestion on that day. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Sungoddess
Re: Dutch Dive at Karakter - 12/24/2015 04:37 PM
yes definitely at Zafiro
Posted By: Carol_Hill
Re: Dutch Dive at Karakter - 12/24/2015 04:54 PM
The congestion from Sunset is on the WAY to there, and normally clears up once you get past Sunset, but probably not on that day. There are four ships in on that day. For parking and the traffic in general in that area, it will be an absolute nightmare, if anywhere near as many people show up, as normally show up at Karakter.
Posted By: GaKaye
Re: Dutch Dive at Karakter - 12/24/2015 05:24 PM
It has always seemed to me that El Zafiro has more parking than Karakter, but it's still not much.
Posted By: MotownTim
Re: Dutch Dive at Karakter - 12/24/2015 07:27 PM
There is a big open lot near El Zafiro. I wonder if they can use that or maybe it's for rental cars. I wouldn't get too excited about the parking. They'll work it out.
Posted By: Carol_Hill
Re: Dutch Dive at Karakter - 12/24/2015 10:40 PM
Not sure where you're talking about. There are no open lots in that area. There is a parking area for two rental car places, yes.
The parking and the traffic in that area, if they get as many people as have come to Karakter, will be a disaster.
Posted By: Carol_Hill
Re: Dutch Dive at Karakter - 12/24/2015 10:42 PM
Uhmn, NO. You may have found parking easier at El Zafiro because historically there has been no one there. Karakter, on the other hand, is always packed. Karakter has probably four times as much parking as El Zafiro..
Posted By: RI Bob C
Re: Dutch Dive at Karakter - 12/24/2015 10:51 PM
Karacter has a parking area with bus service during peak times. If I recall it is after you pass Bada Bing although it may be the next corner. They post a sign on a surfboard when it is in use.
In any event, there is a lot more parking than El Zafiro.
Posted By: pamj
Re: Dutch Dive at Karakter - 12/26/2015 06:23 AM
It appeared to me there was more parking space at Zafiro when we were there in Oct-Nov. Perhaps it was for another place close by, but a larger area had opened up.
Posted By: MotownTim
Re: Dutch Dive at Karakter - 12/26/2015 07:43 AM
That's the area I was wondering about.
Posted By: Eric_Hill
Re: Dutch Dive at Karakter - 12/26/2015 01:21 PM
Ok, know the area you are talking about. That is not part of their property. There was some sort of contruction and like an office being built there is June. So that is something else and not related.
Posted By: Carol_Hill
Re: Dutch Dive at Karakter - 12/26/2015 02:11 PM
...actually I think that place is condos being built. Definitely not part of El Zafiro.
Posted By: Nowhatched
Re: Dutch Dive at Karakter - 12/26/2015 11:55 PM
I've been to the dive several times and walked from Royal Palm or the parking lot near the Dunes Casino. If you walk past the police station along the road there is a vacant lot that gives you access to the beach. The big dive is around 2pm island time, so maybe 2:30. It's a bit of a hike but if your drinking all those Brite Beers it's a good way to work off the calories.
I'm just sorry we're going to miss it this year. We can't get away until the middle of January but this event is sooooo fun it's worth the effort. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dance.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dance.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: SeaStar
Re: Dutch Dive at Karakter - 12/27/2015 02:01 AM
What is a Dutch Dive?
Posted By: BeachKitten
Re: Dutch Dive at Karakter - 12/27/2015 04:01 AM
SeaStar said:
What is a Dutch Dive?
I believe the true origin is something akin to what we would call a Polar Bear Plunge. Seems silly in the warm Caribbean. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: GaKaye
Re: Dutch Dive at Karakter - 12/27/2015 06:02 PM
But why not? It's really just an excuse to party!
Posted By: Carol_Hill
Re: Dutch Dive at Karakter - 12/28/2015 02:46 PM
Well, interesting, according to the Daily Herald today, Karakter is still going to have their party on New Year's Day! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> Pretty funny, one page of the DH is the ad for Karakter and the next page is an ad for El Zafiro, saying the Dive has "moved" to El Zafiro. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: BeachKitten
Re: Dutch Dive at Karakter - 12/28/2015 03:57 PM
GaKaye said:
But why not? It's really just an excuse to party!
Apparently, ... as I have found no link to altruism by either location hosting the Dive.
In the Netherlands, as in the U.S. with the Polar Plunge, there is a charitable or fundraising aspect...not merely drunken debauchery and a way to promote the establishment.