This is where you want to be: the most beautiful and favorite beaches in Curaçao
Aaah, beautiful Curaçao. If we have to choose - knife to the throat - then we choose Curaçao as our favorite of all the islands in the Antilles. Why? Simple. Curaçao is the largest and most versatile island. It has the most beautiful beaches, the uncomplicated joy de vivre that the Antilles has to offer and Curaçao has Willemstad, which makes the island a little more exciting and modern than the rest. We like it. Although of course nothing beats sun, sea and beach, when in Curaçao. Of which, we start this island hymn with an unmissable list of the most beautiful, coziest and most favorite beaches in Curaçao, exactly where you want to be.
A small and still quite undiscovered beach, but one of the most beautiful. It is quiet without fuss. The big advantage, also useful if you travel with the small stuff, the water is quite shallow here. And that is not only nice for the little ones but also for the snorkeling fans among us. On the beach there are a number of umbrellas and some small bars, nothing special; Ordinary relaxed as we are used to from the island. Daaibooi is located in Bandabou, a town in Willibrodus and about 30 minutes from Willemstad. You will find many cliffs here and if you look very closely you might see a hawksbill turtle, which nest in this bay.
The Grote Knip is perhaps the best known of the entire set of beaches on Curaçao, but we continue to think it is one of the most beautiful and pleasant. Moreover, it is rarely really busy at De Grote Knip. Probably because it is quite a long drive, especially if you stay in the south of Curaçao, or in the middle, near Willemstad since you will find De Grote Knip all the way in the 'high' north of the island. No problem: this blue-white dream remains a blue-white dream. And when you stay at Jan Kok Lodges, which is definitely recommended (you can read about that here), it's actually not that far yet. There are not many facilities: beach beds and a few not very extensive beach tents, that's it. At the top of the mountain there is another stand for cold drinks and around the corner De Kleine Knip: also nice, and just a bit more populated by locals.
Sometimes it is also nice if there is something to do on a beach, without having to compromise on the tropical beach feeling (white sand, clear blue rippling sea, a great beach bar within reach). On the beach of Porto Mari you can add some child-friendly entertainment in the form of tame, free-roaming 'wild' pigs. The pigs belong to no one, but are cared for by the staff of Porto Mari and are therefore never far away. During the day they prefer to hobble over the parking lot or snore in the shelter of the bushes, but early in the morning and at sunset they usually come onto the beach. There is also plenty to do in the water: in the middle there are colorful fish swimming (you don't even have to put on a snorkel for them) and on the left side of the bay there is a flat area where little ones can play to their heart's content. In short: a perfect beach (also for children).
Not a beach like most beaches (at an absolute favorite restaurant) as the restaurant is on a flat rock and you therefore have to enter the water with a few steps or a big jump (no surprise hopefully, but this is obviously not suitable for small children). But you can go into the sea (and how!) and a nice beach has been created, including white sand, lovely (double) beach beds and a number of swings.
Restaurant and beach club Karakter is part of Coral Estate in Willibrordus, approximately in the middle of the island (near Jan Kok Lodges indeed!). This means that you have to enter a closed resort before arriving at the restaurant. That's okay. Park in front, walk down past the swimming pool via a nice coffee shop and a shop and there you see: Character. Our return spot on the island, and that is for a reason.
That photo with the swing that you always see a few times on the gram when it concerns Curacao? Kokomo Beach. Traditionally (if you can put it that way). Mambo Beach the party beach of Curacao Kokomo Beach has now also acquired that name. Although it is all a bit more attractive and relaxed here. But still: full moon party? Here's the party. And during the day you can enjoy swinging with your hole in the blue water.
Tugboat Beach is probably one of the most visited snorkeling and diving spots in Curaçao, and for good reason. Even if you are only standing in water up to your ankles, you will see all kinds of fish (and sometimes even octopuses, if you go a little deeper). If you swim 5 meters further, you will arrive at a shipwreck that has been at the bottom for more than thirty years. This wreck, an old tugboat, is covered in coral and hundreds of fish swim in and through the ship.
You can also paint your own souvenir board on the beach. Fun for the kids and the creative parents.
It is, I think, impossible to Jan Thiel Beach to miss when you are in Curacao. It is the most raked stretch of beach on the entire island (you have to pay an entrance fee to enter the area) and anyone who preaches authenticity will certainly find it too commercial here. If you don't mind a little raking, then this is your spot. We promptly found our top favorite (Character for afterwards) among the beach bars: Koko's Curacao! A lot quieter than the rest because you have to walk a little further. Most people have dropped out there, which makes the attractive beach bar even nicer. That, and the good wines.
Colored stairs in your sights, all the way at Westpunt? Welcome to playa Forti. Step down to Benee and there is one of the best places for diving or snorkeling on Curacao. The beach is best known for its amazing rocks from which you can jump into the sea: they are twelve meters high, but the experienced jumper will not hesitate to do so. Anyone who dares can jump into the clear blue sea. We'll watch. Or snorkel another round.
Another nice one in the northwest of the island: Playa Lagun. The beach is known for its sea turtles and for its child-friendliness thanks to the gradually sloping beach. Win-win. A third 'win' is also in the nice beach tent that you will find on top of one of the two rocks between which the beach is wedged. No hassle here, just very nice.
photo for @LotteFlikkema
A little further down, not far from Willibrordus and Karakter, Cas Abou Curaçao is also a nice stop; Many people still hail it as the most beautiful beach in Curaçao... Not that we disagree, but as mentioned above: we like it raked. And a little entertainment. The latter is not really there, which is completely okay if you want to lie down with a book all day and stare blindly at the white sand and the blue sea from under a hut covered with dry palm leaves. Because it is absolutely beautiful.
The wet dream for everyone who loves pearly white and azure blue. Unlike Klein Bonaire, where there is absolutely nothing, there are some facilities on Klein Curacao. So if you are on the island a little longer, make a day trip to Klein Curacao. Wander through the old, pink(ish) church and regularly dip in the sea: perfection!
On Curacao they have quite a few raked beaches, such as Zanzibar and Mambo Beach. Nothing wrong with that at all, because that's where you'll also find the nicest catering establishments. For the most beautiful natural beaches you have to go to the west point for Cas Abou, Porto Marie, and the Kleine and Grote Knip.
Okay, back to the northern west coast again because there are simply the most beautiful beaches and Playa Jeremi Curaçao should definitely be added. You will find Playa Jeremi between Playa Lagun and the Grote Knip; quite remote, which is why many tourists have not discovered this beach. Alleluia. Just pay close attention, look for the sign along the road and then, indeed, onto the sandy path. At the end of the ride you will find a real bounty beach. Not big, but wildly attractive and perfect for a very long day with your nose in the water, a snorkel set on your head.
photo via @amigasviajampelomundo/
On Curacao they are good at making a kind of 'gated communities' where you have to identify yourself to enter and where the (holiday) houses are quite we point are. Within such a place you will also find Karakter, for example, but Blauwbaai is also one of them. And here too you will find a nice lunch restaurant where everyone can go, even if you do not have a house or room in the associated hotel. And above all, you have a heavenly stretch of pure white beach in front of your face. And a delicious, uncomplicated lunch.
Playa Kalki is also a cordoned off beach: you can enjoy excellent snorkeling and diving here and you will find a floating platform. From the parking lot you walk down the steep stairs and voila: you are there. Between the parking lot and the beach you will find a terrace (shade!) with a small snack bar and a diving shop. From Playa Kalki you can also walk to the Kura Hulanda Lodge, where you will also find a restaurant.
This Kleine Knip beach is small, not really touristy and you can visit it for free. There are some palapas, but no other catering establishments (the bar that is there is almost never open, so you can't really assume that). So bring your own food and drinks. The local name for Kleine Knip is Playa Kenepa chiki, and that is usually what it says on the signs. Useful to know if you want to drive there.
