TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Dutch Dive at Karakter

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="" />

El Zafiro just posted on their Facebook page that the New Years Dive will be held there.

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="" />

yes definitely at Zafiro

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.

It has always seemed to me that El Zafiro has more parking than Karakter, but it's still not much.

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.

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.

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..

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.

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.

That's the area I was wondering about.

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.

...actually I think that place is condos being built. Definitely not part of El Zafiro.

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="" />

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="" />

But why not? It's really just an excuse to party!

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="" />

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.