Curaçao is a Caribbean gem and is home to some of the most breathtaking beaches on the planet! With a whopping 35 beaches to choose from, the biggest challenge for any traveler is figuring out which beaches to prioritize.
Lucky for you, my husband and I spent an entire month in Curacao as a workcation. So, we had the time to explore the best beaches Curaçao has to offer. Now, we’re excited to share our top 13 favorite beaches with you!
Whether you’re looking for the best snorkeling in Curacao or the best full-service beaches where you can kick back and relax, we’ve got you covered! So, let’s dive in and discover the best sandy shores of Curaçao!
What You Should Know About Curacao’s Beaches
Curaçao has mix of private and public beaches. While you do need to pay to enter the private ones, the fees are typically quite reasonable, usually between $3-$6 USD.
Regardless of whether a beach is private or public, you can rent a beach chair for about $3-$6 USD per person. Of course, you can always bring your own sarong or towel and lounge directly on the sand for free. While renting a chair is the ultimate way to relax, it might be a good idea to skip it if you’re planning to beach hop. The costs can add up if you visit several beaches in a day.
Beyond the shore, Curaçao is a haven for snorkelers and scuba divers. Many of the island’s best dive spots are easily accessible from the beach, so you can swim out and explore without needing a boat.
If snorkeling is on your agenda, consider bringing your own snorkel gear. Not every beach has a rental shop, and having your own snorkel set ensures you’re always ready to dive in and discover the underwater wonders of Curaçao.
The Best Snorkeling in Curacao
While you can snorkel at any beach in Curaçao, we found the best snorkeling at Klein Knip and Tugboat Beach. These spots boast the most vibrant coral reefs and the widest variety of marine life.
Klein Knip
Klein Knip, also known as Kenepa Chiki in the local language, is a snorkeler’s paradise with its rustic beauty and stunning coral reefs. The beach features gorgeous blue waters framed by tall rock walls on both sides, perfect for exploring. Our favorite snorkeling spot was around the right rock wall, where an incredible coral reef teems with diverse marine life.
The shallow, crystal-clear waters make Klein Knip one of the best snorkeling spots on the island, allowing you to get up close to the fish. It felt like swimming in an aquarium, with visibility so clear you could see every detail.
On the left rock wall, we spotted unique species like an octopus and a porcupinefish, making us feel like we had discovered a secret underwater world.
The only drawback of Klein Knip is the lack of amenities. There are no bathrooms, only a porta-potty, and no restaurants, just food trucks. Additionally, there are no snorkel rental shops, so be sure to bring your own snorkel gear. However, the lack of development might be why the snorkeling here is so fantastic.
Entry to this beach is free, and beach chairs are available for rent, allowing you to relax in comfort after your underwater adventures.
Tugboat Beach
Another fantastic snorkeling spot is Tugboat Beach, famed for the sunken tugboat resting about 100 meters from its shore. The water here is clear and shallow, making it easy to see and appreciate the coral growing on the tugboat and the variety of fish that surround it.
While the beach itself isn’t particularly picturesque due to industrial equipment marring the view, the sight of the sunken tugboat more than compensates.
This beach is free to enter and features a diving shop where you can rent snorkel and scuba gear. There’s also a small snack shop offering items like hotdogs and sandwiches.
The Best Beach to Snorkel with Sea Turtles
Playa Grandi, also known as Playa Piskado, is one of the top spots for snorkeling with sea turtles. Many turtles visit daily because local fishermen clean their catch here, throwing scraps into the water. These scraps attract numerous turtles and fish, providing a fantastic opportunity to swim close to the turtles.
Remember, it’s important not to touch the turtles. Although they seem accustomed to humans due to daily feeding, it’s crucial to avoid stressing them and to ensure they don’t become too comfortable around people, which could make them vulnerable to poachers in other areas.
Playa Grandi is free to enter but is quite rocky, so wearing water shoes can be helpful. There are also chair rentals and a snack bar available on-site.
The Best Full-Service Beaches in Curacao
While you can enjoy snorkeling at the full-service beaches listed below, they don’t offer as much marine life or vibrant coral reefs as Klein Knip and Tugboat Beach. However, these full-service beaches are still worth visiting for their relaxing environment and easy access to restaurants and bathrooms. If your goal is relaxation with a bit of snorkeling, these beaches might be perfect for you.
See the beauty of these beaches in our video guide below!
Jan Thiel Beach
Jan Thiel Beach quickly became one of our favorite full-service spots. We spent a delightful day at Zanzibar Beach Bar, renting a beach chair and enjoying an afternoon of lounging, snorkeling, eating, and drinking. It was the perfect blend of fun and relaxation.
The beach itself is small and sandy, but much of the waterfront is surrounded by a man-made deck. The snorkeling here is pleasant, with plenty of fish along the deck walls, though it lacks the abundant coral found at Klein Knip or Tugboat Beach.
Jan Thiel is a private beach, requiring a small fee of $3.50 USD per person, which includes parking. Beach chair rentals are an additional $5 per person.
Explore all of the beach bars and activities Jan Thiel Beach offers by clicking here. It’s packed with amenities and was one of our favorite full-service beaches.
Playa Porto Mari
Playa Porto Mari is another popular full-service beach. The snorkeling here is decent, though not spectacular, as there isn’t much coral—just some bleached-out rocks that attract a few nibbling fish.
However, this beach offers a full restaurant and nice bathrooms, making it a comfortable spot for a day trip. You might even encounter some wild pigs during your visit!
One highlight of Playa Porto Mari is the viewing platform, which provides a stunning bird’s-eye view of the entire beach. With an entry fee of $3.50 USD and beach chair rentals for $3, it’s a great place to relax and enjoy the day.
Kokomo Beach
Kokomo Beach is a lovely full-service beach with crystal clear waters, a picturesque swing set perfect for photos, and a diving platform for some fun jumps. Entry is free, but beach chair rentals are $6 per chair.
This beach offers all the amenities, including a full restaurant and bar, clean bathrooms, and a shop to rent scuba and snorkel gear. Another perk is its proximity to the capital city of Willemstad, being just a 20-minute drive away, making it easily accessible even by taxi.
Mambo Beach
Mambo Beach is the closest full-service beach to Willemstad, just a 10-15 minute taxi ride from the city center. It’s a popular spot for tourists short on time who still want to experience one of Curaçao’s most beautiful beaches.
Lined with a variety of restaurants and beach bars, Mambo Beach offers a fun yet relaxing atmosphere. You can order lunch and take a swim or snorkel in the calm waters while waiting for your food. While there are several fish near the large boulders, there is no coral here.
Entry to this beach is free, but you need to purchase food or drinks to use the seating available along the beach.
The Best Beach for Thrill Seekers
If you love the thrill of cliff jumping, you must check out Playa Forti. The Playa Forti Restaurant features a diving platform where you can leap 40 feet into the crystal-clear waters below.
We watched several people make the jump safely, and it was quite impressive. However, be aware that this jump can be dangerous, and injuries do occur every year.
Even if cliff jumping isn’t your thing, Playa Forti Restaurant is a fantastic spot for a meal. It’s one of the best-tasting and most affordable restaurants in the area, making it worth a visit whether or not you’re seeking an adrenaline rush.
The Best Beaches for Nature Lovers
If you’re looking to connect with nature, these beaches offer a perfect escape.
Grote Knip
Grote Knip is the sister beach to Klein Knip, just a 3-minute drive away. One of the highlights of Grote Knip is its stunning viewpoint, offering a bird’s-eye view of the gorgeous blue water and sandy shores—an incredible sight.
Nature lovers will appreciate the wild pigs that occasionally roam the beach and the decent snorkeling opportunities. The calm, shallow waters make it easy to spot fish and coral along the rock walls.
Accessing this beach requires walking down a flight of stairs, but the area is well-developed with bathrooms and plenty of lounge chairs for rent. There are also several food stands in the parking lot. Plus, this is one of the few West Coast beaches with a dedicated bus stop, making it accessible from Willemstad with public transportation. However, buses are infrequent, arriving every two hours, so plan your trip carefully if you’re relying on public transport.
Cas Abao Beach
Cas Abao Beach is another popular full-service beach, renowned for its unique rock formations, particularly the intriguing triangular-shaped “Flying Rock” on the right side of the beach. Snorkeling around this rock is a unique experience.
Our favorite part of this beach was lounging in the chairs and soaking in the stunning view.
There is a concession stand selling snacks like hot dogs and hamburgers, but the menu is limited and items like French fries and fish fillets were out of stock during our visit. The service was also slow, with long lines.
Due to the limited selection and slow service, I wouldn’t recommend eating at Cas Abao Beach. However, if you’re there for the natural beauty, you’ll enjoy this beach to the fullest. The entry fee is $6 per car, and I believe chair rental is included in this fee.
Playa Jeremi
Playa Jeremi is another beach with stunning blue water that shines brilliantly in the sun. It’s absolutely stunning to look at, however, this beach lacks amenities like bathrooms or restaurants. Chair rentals are still available.
The snorkeling here is decent, though not spectacular, as the sandy ocean floor lacks the rocks that attract fish. This beach is best for swimming. However, it’s probably not ideal for children, as the water gets deep quickly.
Playa Lagun
Playa Lagun may be small, but it’s a delightful beach surrounded by rocky cliffs. This free beach is an excellent spot to relax, snorkel, and soak in the view of the bright blue water contrasting against the dark gray cliffs.
The beach is well-equipped with bathrooms available at two beach bars.
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The Best Beach for a Day Trip
One of the most popular boat tours in Curaçao is to visit Klein Curaçao, which is Curacao’s smaller uninhabited island. Klein Curacao translates to “Little Curaçao,” and this little island was once used for mining purposes. Klein Curaçao is now a stunning secluded island with pristine white sand beaches and incredibly blue water.
You can explore this small island in just an hour or two, enjoying activities like snorkeling, exploring the abandoned lighthouse, and viewing the shipwreck on the opposite side of the island.
The best part is just lounging around and taking in the incredible view as Klein Curaçao boasts some of the most gorgeous beaches in Curaçao. It really is an ideal boat trip destination, so be sure to check out all your Klein Curaçao tour options here!
Curacao’s Best Beaches at a Glance
For your convenience, I’ve included our top beach picks below. Save these locations to your Google Maps app for easy navigation.
The Best Snorkeling Beaches in Curacao
- Klein Knip/Kenepa Chiki
- Tugboat Beach
The Best Beach for Snorkeling with Sea Turtles
- Playa Grandi/Playa Piskado
The Best Full-Service Beaches
- Jan Theil Beach
- Playa Porto Mari
- Kokomo Beach
- Mambo Beach
The Best Beach for Cliff Jumping
- Playa Forti
The Best Nature Beaches
- Grote Knip
- Cas Abao Beach
- Playa Jeremi
- Play Lagun
The Best Beach Day Trip
- Klein Curacao
Want to learn even more about Curacao? Check out these travel tips below!
- The Top 25 Things to Do in Willemstad, Curacao’s Capital
- The travel credit card that has saved me thousands!
- 10 Ways to Afford Full-time Travel
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