Curacao snorkeling is among the finest you’ll discover within the Caribbean! This beautiful Caribbean island is the most important of the ABC islands and isn’t solely recognized for its colourful and vibrant structure but in addition for its unparalleled snorkeling alternatives. From shallow reefs teeming with vibrant, colourful fish to underwater sculptures and sunken ships, Curacao affords one thing for snorkelers of all ranges.
So seize your fins and let’s deep dive into the very best snorkeling in Curacao and the very best seashores in Curacao for snorkeling!
Disclaimer: This put up accommodates commissionable hyperlinks.
Ideas for Curacao Snorkeling:
The entire finest Curacao snorkeling is on the west aspect of the island because it’s shielded from the wind, the opposite aspect is simply too windy and tough which is why the entire finest seashores in Curacao are on the west aspect of the island.
All of those seashores in Curacao for snorkeling have simple entry factors, some are sandy however some have extra of a pebbly or rocky entrance. You’ll wish to have a pair of water footwear that may match beneath your flippers.
Convey your personal snorkel gear! Whereas some Curacao snorkeling spots have leases, these will add up shortly and it’s very easy to hold a snorkel set round with you. Pack a snorkel set for everybody in your loved ones.
We each purchased this snorkel set which included a masks, snorkel, ear plugs, flippers, and carrying luggage which had been good for snorkeling in Curacao! (we each pack carry-on solely and had been in a position to simply match it in our bag too!)
You’ll wish to pack solar safety when visiting Curacao seashores! That goes for exploring wherever in Curacao truly because the solar is additional robust right here.
Get reef-safe sunscreen to guard marine life too, throughout our week-long journey we went by a couple of bottles and had been in a position to simply discover extra at grocery shops. However, you’ll positively wish to pack a bottle and be prepared to use it each 60-70 minutes and let it sit a couple of minutes earlier than getting within the water.
We had been being cautious and nonetheless received slightly sunburn on days after we spent extra time on the seashore, which made me want I had a rash guard high to guard my again from the solar whereas snorkeling.
Just a few of our favourite reef-safe sunscreen merchandise embrace:
- Kokua Sunscreen – water resistant zinc sunscreen that applies easily with out white residue
- Solar Bum Mineral Sunscreen – the Mineral line (white bottle with brown textual content that claims ‘mineral’) is a transparent, quick absorbing zinc-based sunscreen that’s nice for delicate pores and skin and is sweat and water resistant.
- Thinksport Mineral Sunscreen – Now we have been utilizing this model for years and love how simply it applies and is waterproof. They’re additionally a bit extra inexpensive.
- Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen – this sunscreen is just not solely reef-safe but it surely’s additionally tremendous hydrating, this one is slightly pricier so we advocate utilizing this on the face and neck space because it falls beneath extra of a skincare product as nicely.
Don’t neglect one thing to take underwater photographs! For individuals who are on the lookout for one thing on a funds, you will get a water-proof pouch in your smartphone to take underwater photographs. Simply watch out to maintain this sealed accurately so no water will get in. This does do the trick however generally is a bit difficult to play with to get focus.
Or convey a water-proof digicam just like the traditional waterproof GoPro motion digicam or the waterproof Insta360 digicam that are each nice for snorkeling and don’t require the waterproof housing if you happen to’re not diving into deeper water!
Convey your personal towel. We additionally pack our personal seashore towel on journeys with us too, not the cumbersome conventional seashore towel you’re considering of although.
We each all the time use a sarong or Turkish towel as a result of they’re light-weight, dry shortly, simple to pack, and do the job! There was a breeze at most seashores too so we bought seashore towel clips to safe them plus my seashore hat to the chair whereas we had been snorkeling.
For getting round, you’ll wish to lease a automotive to get round to the snorkeling seashores in Curacao. There are actually not any nice choices for public transportation right here. In the event you’re driving, don’t depart valuables within the automotive at parking tons.
In case you are a cruise ship customer for the day, don’t fear we included a few choices for snorkeling in Curacao close to Willemstad for cruise passengers you could prepare a taxi to select up/drop off round your ship schedule.
However if you happen to’re visiting on a multi-day journey, taking a taxi isn’t preferrred as renting a automotive provides you essentially the most freedom to discover at your personal tempo.
Most Curacao seashores have a price related to them together with among the finest seashores in Curacao for snorkeling, for some it’s an entry price for others it’s free except you wish to lease a seashore chair or umbrella. The charges are fairly low although, starting from $3-7 USD sometimes.
The place to go Snorkeling in Curacao
Klein Curacao
One of many best possible Curacao snorkeling spots may be discovered on Klein Curacao, or “Little Curacao” 15 miles off the coast of Curacao. To get right here you’ll must take a ship journey to Klein Curacao.
This implies you’ll have to affix a Klein Curacao tour. We personally went with Miss Ann’s Boat Journeys which departs from Sandals Resort (with a couple of lodge shuttles to the assembly level). That is essentially the most luxurious manner of attending to Klein Curacao on a high-speed yacht they usually are also the one firm with non-public services with seashore chairs, palapa huts, and bogs.
Additionally they present meals and a guided snorkel safari tour in addition to add-ons like scuba diving. Their non-public services are positioned on a small, simple to enter and exit, sandy entry level the place yow will discover wonderful snorkeling, in any other case, you’ll be able to stroll over to the primary white sand seashore (water footwear beneficial) as you’ll must stroll on rocks to recover from there and get within the water.
The opposite tour choices embrace BlueFinn Charters tour and Breeze Boat Journeys tour (which additionally embrace meals) drop you off on the lengthy, stunning white sandy stretch of seashore on Klein Curacao the place coming into and exiting the water for snorkeling is extremely simple.
That is most likely the clearest water you’ll encounter in Curacao, though all of the seashores and Curacao snorkeling spots featured on this information have very clear water, and also you’ll spot an abundance of colourful fish, eels, and the opportunity of seeing sea turtles (we noticed two) and even sharks. The coral reefs are very wholesome right here and it’s a soothing approach to spend the day.
The tour firms additionally supply snorkel masks to borrow! Nonetheless, they didn’t have flippers, so if you happen to’re not a powerful swimmer you’ll wish to convey your personal or a float that can assist you.
Tip: the boat experience there may be rougher than the way in which again, contemplate packing non-drowsy Dramamine and ginger chews!
Playa Lagun
This was one among our favourite snorkeling seashores in Curacao! That is the place we swam with sea turtles, that are continuously noticed right here sometimes within the mornings, however we had been fortunate within the afternoon after we received to witness one swimming and consuming meals.
Positioned simply south of Westpunt within the village of Lagun, this Curacao snorkeling spot is about in a slender bay surrounded by tall cliffs. It’s very easy to enter and exit on the seashore which step by step slopes and chairs can be found to lease if you wish to put up up on the seashore earlier than getting in to snorkel.
The most effective snorkeling was alongside the cliff partitions on both aspect of the bay the place we swam by hundreds of sardines and located every kind of underwater creatures within the cracks and crevices of the rocks.
Sea turtles are sometimes noticed within the middle of the cove, that is the place we discovered one resting beneath a rock earlier than swimming off to the cliffs for a chew to eat. They’re noticed continuously right here however it’s potential you received’t see any.
This protected cove has very calm waters and is nice for any degree of snorkeler.
It is a public seashore, so it’s fully free to go to! There are umbrellas and seashore chairs obtainable for lease and a dive store right here if it is advisable to lease gear.
In the event you construct up an urge for food there’s the Bahia Seashore Bar and Restaurant positioned on the cliff above the seashore accessible by steep steps you’ll see on the aspect of the seashore. They’ve a terrific view from up right here too so it’s the proper spot to refuel after visiting this Curacao snorkeling spot!
Playa Kalki
Some of the in style spots for diving and snorkeling in Curacao is Playa Kalki, in Westpunt. Famously referred to as Alice in Wonderland because of the dramatic and distinctive mushroom-shaped coral formations that may be discovered right here together with gorgonians and star corals.
And if you happen to love on the lookout for hidden gems whereas snorkeling in Curacao, search for the underwater sculpture of a Chichi doll and a saxophone sculpture positioned within the reef too.
Whereas essentially the most spectacular of the Alice in Wonderland mushroom corals are present in depths by divers, snorkelers nonetheless can see them from the floor as nicely. To search out these you’ll be able to bounce in off the dock and comply with the rope.
As for marine life, you’ll see some hawksbill sea turtles, eagle rays, parrotfish, lionfish, trumpetfish, octopi, and an array of different underwater critters.
This seashore is a bit more rocky, so it’s good to have these water footwear for getting out and in of the water right here!
Playa Kalki is the HQ for Go West Diving, so you will get all of your leases and gear right here too if you happen to want it they usually additionally supply snorkel journeys to Black Sand Reef and Blue Room.
Visiting the seashore right here is free, however you’ll be able to lease seashore chairs or padded seashore beds for a couple of dollars if you wish to hang around for awhile. Additionally they have a snack bar and bathrooms to make use of for a small price. They’ve two floating docks with chairs off the seashore too for stress-free within the solar.
Tugboat Seashore
Among the many finest Curacao snorkeling spots is, after all, Tugboat Seashore in Caracas Bay the place you’ll discover shallow waters residence to a sunken tugboat that’s been reclaimed by the underwater world and residential to many forms of colourful fish, sponges, and coral about 15 ft under the floor.
I’m not the strongest of swimmers however that is extra of an instantaneous to superior snorkeling spot since there may be stronger currents right here and we advocate having flippers. I didn’t expertise any points, however I used to be glad to have my flippers to assist me glide by the water.
It is a free seashore and spot to snorkel in Curacao and the seashore right here is extra rocky so that you’ll wish to have water footwear to simply get out and in. There’s a laid-back seashore bar right here that has some spots to calm down, drinks, sizzling canines, and rents seashore chairs if you wish to calm down after snorkeling.
This is among the most well-known Curacao snorkeling locations due to the shipwreck and is barely round a 25-30 minute drive away from Willemstad making it top-of-the-line snorkeling close to Willemstad for cruise passengers. Tugboat Seashore additionally arranges transfers from the cruise port to their seashore if you wish to set up this forward of time.
The bar has slightly treasure map letting the place the tugboat shipwreck is and different underwater spots you would possibly wish to take a look at like by the dock the place seahorses are sometimes noticed. The mooring platforms sticking within the water are enjoyable to snorkel by as nicely.
From right here, superior and skilled snorkelers might swim to Director’s Bay, however we don’t advocate that as the present is powerful and also you’ll have to be assured you’ve got sufficient power to do it in each instructions.
Though, for many who wish to do that it’s beneficial to snorkel within the route from Tugboat Seashore to Director’s Bay in order that in your manner again you’ve got a neater swim not towards the present. And all of this actually depends upon the waves and currents that day, so depart this up for the professionals to determine and simply drive to Director’s Bay as it is usually top-of-the-line snorkeling seashores in Curacao.
Playa Piskado / Playa Grandi
The most effective snorkeling in Curacao for seeing sea turtles is Playa Piskado, also called Playa Grandi, a working fisherman seashore that’s well-known for being the very best place (and virtually all the time assured spot) to see sea turtles!
This smaller, pebbly seashore is positioned previous a colourful kids’s playground in Westpunt. There’s a pier right here and because it’s a working fishermen’s seashore, the ocean turtles are interested in the scraps from fishermen cleansing their every day catch right here.
The seashore is free to go to except you wish to lease seashore chairs or use the restroom services for a small price. Typically their snack bar is open too if you happen to’re feeling peckish.
As talked about, this seashore is pebbly, so water footwear are good for coming into and exiting the water. This Curacao snorkeling seashore is just not solely well-known for its resident turtles but in addition for the underwater King Neptune sculpture discovered within the reefs encrusted with sponges.
The snorkeling by the pier is nice for newbie snorkelers, however if you wish to make it to the reef you’ll wish to be a extra skilled snorkeler because the water is slightly deeper over right here, however the King Neptune sculpture is on the high of the drop off so snorkelers are in a position to see it too.
Simply bear in mind, it’s prohibited to the touch and feed sea turtles. Comply with the principles as these are endangered and guarded species, please be a accountable customer.
And since fishermen’s boats come out and in of this space, please be careful for the boats!
Playa Porto Mari
One in every of our favorites and finest seashores for snorkeling in Curacao is Playa Porto Mari positioned on the Porto Marie Bay close to the village of Sint Willibrordus.
Earlier than moving into the superior snorkeling right here, this seashore has all of the services you’ll want together with a store, nice restaurant and bar, mountain climbing trails, commentary tower, dive faculty and store the place you’ll be able to lease snorkel gear, and even two resident pigs that generally present as much as greet the beachgoers right here.
However what makes this an particularly nice Curacao snorkeling spot is the distinctive double reef right here, that are set a bit deeper and loved by scuba divers principally, snorkelers can benefit from the two snorkel trails right here.
The primary snorkel path begins in the course of the bay on the jetty, for newbie snorkelers you’ll be able to keep close to the floating raft, for many who have flippers and are extra skilled snorkelers can proceed to deeper water.
The second snorkeling path right here begins on the left aspect of the bay on the jetty. We discovered the very best snorkeling to be alongside the cliff partitions surrounding the bay.
You’ll additionally snorkel previous synthetic reef ball clusters that had been positioned right here after hurricane injury in 1999, which had been actually fascinating and teeming with colourful fish and marine life.
Coming into and exiting the seashore right here is very easy, there’s very nice white sand however there are little items of coral and rocks scattered all through the tender sand, so it’s good to have these water footwear!
It’s $3 USD/5 ANG per individual (kids beneath 4 are free) to enter the seashore and one other small price if you wish to lease chairs.
Kleine Knip / Playa Kenepa Chiki
One other top-of-the-line Curacao snorkeling seashores is Kleine Knip also called Playa Kenepa Chiki, a small seashore positioned close to and on the identical highway as the favored Grote Knip/Playa Kenepa Grandi seashore.
This smaller seashore has no services except for renting seashore chairs if you wish to calm down. So. ensure you have loads of water, snacks, and your personal snorkel gear. Don’t let that dissuade you although, among the finest snorkeling in Curacao may be discovered right here alongside the rock and cliff partitions.
The doorway is fairly simple because it’s principally tender sand with slightly little bit of damaged, fossilized coral bits (so watch your ft). You’ll wish to watch out across the rock cabinets too and attempt to enter and exit on the sandy components.
You’ll discover spectacular elkhorn reefs right here, angelfish, butterfly fish, parrotfish, and every kind of tropical fish and sea creatures.
This Curacao snorkeling spot is nice for learners because it’s a smaller spot with calm waters.
Caracas Bay Seashore / Playa Caracasbaai
One other wonderful spot for snorkeling in Curacao is the pebbly seashore affords a shallow reef good for exploring the underwater world of the Caribbean. Whereas the reef is good and shallow, this can be a snorkeling spot higher fitted to skilled snorkelers because it’s a large open area that may be uncovered to commerce winds.
Within the wholesome coral reefs discovered right here, you’ll be able to spot every kind of tropical fish like parrotfish, angelfish, grouper, snappers, and extra among the many potential sighting of eagle rays or sea turtles.
In the event you’re going to swim throughout the harbor channel you’ll must have a marker buoy as there are boats that cross there right here because it’s an lively channel.
You’ll be able to enter the water close to Palapa Seashore Resort, because it’s coarse sand and pebbly you’ll need water footwear.
It is a in style seashore for locals who you’ll discover right here on the weekends having fun with the BBQ on the seashore. It’s additionally a public seashore that’s free to go to.
Director’s Bay Seashore / Playa Directeurs Baai
One other sizzling spot for snorkeling in Curacao close to Tugboat Seashore is Director’s Bay. Like the opposite seashores and snorkel spots discovered round Caracas Bay, this can be a pebbly seashore and it’s finest to enter the water with water footwear to guard your ft.
Nice snorkeling may be discovered beneath the rocky outcroppings that encompass this seashore. As the entire seashores and Curacao snorkeling spots go present in Caracas Bay, that is finest for knowledgeable snorkelers since there may be currents right here.
Providing among the finest snorkeling in Curacao, this spot continues to be thought of a little bit of a hidden gem that’s in style amongst locals on the weekends and tends to be a bit quieter than different in style snorkel spots on the island.
So far as aquatic life you’ll discover right here it’s possible you’ll spot seahorses, moray eels, frogfish, octopi, butterfly fish, amongst many different forms of tropical fish and outdated nets that had been used to discourage sharks and jellyfish from the shores.
It is a public seashore that’s free to go to. There are a couple of picnic tables with a palapa umbrella for shade and no different services.
Cas Abao Seashore / Playa Cas Abao
One of many prettiest seashores additionally occurs to be top-of-the-line seashores in Curacao for snorkeling! Cas Abao Seashore affords tender, white sand and full seashore services and facilities making it an ideal place to hang around all day and revel in stress-free plus snorkeling.
There’s a price of $6-7 USD/10-12 ANG per automotive relying on the day to go to the seashore right here, then for an extra price you’ll be able to lease seashore chairs in addition to a dive store if it is advisable to lease any gear.
Due to the postcard-perfect tender, white sand, it’s simple to enter and exit the water right here, and is good for all ranges of snorkelers from newbie to superior. You might encounter small fragments of coral or pebbles, so once more, water footwear are good in case you have tender ft.
The most effective snorkeling may be discovered alongside the rock partitions on both aspect of the bay. The left-hand aspect of the seashore is extra in style and so far as marine life you would possibly spot right here contains eagle rays, sting rays, moray eels, turtles, and seahorses amongst colourful fish!
And in case your physique is achy or drained from all of the snorkeling in Curacao you’ve been doing, you’ll be able to e book a therapeutic massage on the seashore right here.
Bonus Hidden Snorkeling in Curacao: The Blue Room
Essentially the most distinctive place for Curacao snorkeling is the hidden Blue Room cave. It is a principally underwater cave that’s accessible by boat close to Santu Pretu. This distinctive underwater cave permits simply sufficient daylight to create a mesmerizing expertise in an underwater blue room the place you’ll be able to see colleges of fish dart round you with good visibility underwater.
This snorkeling spot in Curacao is finest for knowledgeable swimmers and people who are snug diving underwater and stronger swimmers who’re used to endurance as you need to enter an space lower by water beneath the limestone cliffs. When you’re within the Blue Room you’ll be surrounded by surreal shades of blue and this pure phenomenon that captivates everybody who experiences it.
Some seashores supply Blue Room excursions, though we advocate securing a spot by reserving the Blue Room snorkel tour prematurely if that is one thing you actually wish to do.
It’s value noting that it’s potential to hike or kayak to the Blue Room. I don’t advocate this if you happen to’re mountain climbing you need to ensure you enter the water on the proper level by leaping in off the cliff, which you’ll be able to’t see under you and you need to put on correct mountain climbing clothes as you’ll be on a slender path passing cacti – ouch if you happen to contact that by chance!
Kayaking is feasible too, however you’ll have to be skilled and assured as to the place you’re going. That’s why we advocate reserving the tour with an skilled information because it’s a lot safer and also you’ll be in good fingers.
Curacao Snorkeling Excursions:
In the event you don’t wish to do that by yourself, you don’t must! There are many wonderful snorkeling excursions in Curacao you’ll be able to be part of that present snorkeling gear, a educated information who will take you to the very best spots, and all of the planning/driving/considering is finished for you.
The snorkeling Curacao excursions which might be cruise-friendly are famous under. You’ll must comply with particular directions when reserving to ensure you talk your ship info to allow them to make sure you get again on time.
| Tour | Highlights | Curacao Snorkel Spots | E-book |
| Snorkel & Seashore Journey Tour | 6 hours, features a guided tour of Shete Boka Nationwide Park + seashore hopping, snorkel gear, lodge choose up and drop off in Willemstad, cruise-friendly | Playa Piskado, Cas Abao | E-book right here |
| Semi-Personal Seashore Hopping & UTV Buggy Tour | 5 hours, meals, drinks, & snorkel gear included, lodge pickup obtainable, go to 5 seashores, information takes you round in UTV Buggy | customizable | E-book right here |
| Personal Seashore Hopping & Snorkeling Tour | 5-7 hours, lodge pickup obtainable, customizable to incorporate Shete Boka Nationwide Park or Hato Caves, snorkel gear included, cruise-friendly | customizable | E-book right here |
| West Coast Full Day Tour by Boat with Seashore Stops, BBQ, & Blue Room | 9 hours, catamaran boat, meals and drinks included, snorkel gear included, stops at seashores and the Blue Room snorkeling cave | Playa Porto Mari, Cas Abao, Blue Room | E-book right here |
| West Coast Seashore Hopping Tour | 6-7 hours, contains drinks, choose up from choose inns, go to to Shete Boka Nationwide Park, cease at St. Willibrodus Flamingo Sanctuary, *snorkel gear is just not included so convey your personal or lease | Kleine Knip, Cas Abao, Playa Piskado | E-book right here |
| Guided Kayak and Snorkel Journey in Caracas Bay | 2 hours, contains kayak and snorkel gear, choose up and drop off may be organized for a price, cruise-friendly | stops at distant seashore for snorkeling in Caracas Bay | E-book right here |
| Full Day Catamaran Journey to Klein Curacao | 9 hours, meals and drinks included, snorkel gear included | Klein Curacao | E-book right here |
| Swim with Sea Turtles Seashore Hopping Tour | 4 to five hours, choose up obtainable, free photographs from a photographer, snorkel gear included, contains cease to see flamingos at Jan Kok, drinks included, cruise-friendly | Playa Piskado, Grote Knip | E-book right here |
There are lots of alternatives to snorkel from the seashore in Curacao, actually virtually each seashore on the west aspect of Curacao has nice snorkeling and shallow reefs which is why Curacao is a well-liked shore diving vacation spot too!
The west aspect of Curacao is the place you’ll discover the very best seashores and snorkeling as this aspect of the island is protected against commerce winds and affords calm, blue, clear water. The east aspect of Curacao is simply too windy and tough which is why there are not any swimming, snorkeling, or diving websites on that aspect of the island.
The most effective snorkeling close to Willemstad Curacao may be present in Caracas Bay at Tugboat Seashore, a 25-minute drive from the cruise terminal. Different seashores you’ll be able to snorkel at close to Willemstad embrace Mambo Seashore, a 15 minute drive from Willemstad.
Curacao not solely has good snorkeling, but it surely has among the finest snorkeling within the Caribbean and is the most important of the ABC Islands with 38 seashores, lots of which provide nice snorkeling.
Better of Curacao Snorkeling Abstract:
- Klein Curacao
- Playa Lagun
- Playa Kalki
- Tugboat Seashore
- Playa Piskado / Playa Grandi
- Playa Porto Mari
- Kleine Knip / Playa Kenepa Chiki
- Caracas Bay Seashore / Playa Caracasbaai
- Director’s Bay / Directeurs Baai
- Cas Abao Seashore / Playa Cas Abao
- Bonus: The Blue Room
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