Curaçao has over 35 beaches with a remarkable variety. Whether you are a sun-loving vacationer or a resident enjoying a day off, you can choose between intimate rocky coves surrounded by massive cliffs or long sandy beaches, either secluded by nature or bustling with activities. The one thing they all share is crystal clear turquoise water and picture-perfect weather. Almost all of the bathing beaches are scattered along the sheltered and calm southwestern coast, where the waters are calm and crystal clear.

These are your 18 picks for lazy relaxation. At some beaches admission is charged, sometimes including a beach chair.

Even though it is not common, nor acceptable practice at all beaches, you may see European visitors sunbathing topless. Please note that this is not permitted by law, but is tolerated at a few of the beaches.

Blue Bay Beach
Landhuis Blauw z/n
Willemstad
Phone: +(5999)/888 6489
Fax: +(5999)/888 6495
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Blue Bay Beach is a large shady beach just northwest of Willemstad, near the village of Sint Michiel, with lots of facilities. It's popular with local families and visitors because of the soft white sand. The sea floor slopes gently from the beach so children enjoy playing here. There are lounge chairs, palm trees, shade umbrellas, a nice bar and restaurant, a watersports center (diving and sea kajaking!) and a bikini shop. There is a childrens playground, a farely large pool and there are showers and toilets. On Sunday you can join a barbeque lunch. An admission fee is charged.

Boka St.Michiel
Boka Sami

Small boats bob in the bay of this traditional fishing village just west of town. The dive club on the pier has public restrooms and a restaurant. The small beach, also known as Boka Sami, has no shade and little sand, but lovely water, a small fishing pier. There are two simple, good fish restaurants nearby. You can also explore the salt marsh or climb a trail that runs up the hill to the west of the beach.

Caracasbaai

The beach is made of coarse sand and pebbles and is popular for snorkling and diving because its part of the underwaterpark. Also popular with the island residents. There are several small restaurants, there water is usually calm and the admission is free. The nearby Baya Beach Club is not free of charge.

Daaibooibaai

A small bay close to town, this beach has good snorkeling along its rocky ledge and a small fishermen's cove. Pergolas provide adequate shade and there is also a snack bar that is open both during the week as on the weekend. To the west of the beach, a small trail leads into the countryside.

Jan Thiel Beach
Zanzibar Jan Thiel z/n
Phone: +(5999)/747 0633
Fax: +(5999)/747 0634

Lounge on the cement quays beside the large open bay, which has excellent diving and snorkeling. The beach is located in a new upscale residential area east of town. There is some sand, but children enjoy the semi-enclosed wading area that resembles a swimming pool.

Jeremi

Visit this narrow, picturesque cove late in the day, perhaps lingering to watch the sun set, when you can fully apprecaite the exceptionally clear water without minding the lack of shade. Uneven steps cut into the rocks lead from the parking area to the beach. No amenities.

Kas Abou
Phone: +(5999)/462 2656
Fax: +(5999)/462 6933
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This beach combines a natural country setting with all the conveniences of a fful service beach. The snorkeling and diving are great. It takes about ten minutes to reach the beach after the main turnoff, at the end of a winding dirt road that meanders through some beautiful countryside, with good bird watching late in the day. Shade is provided by some pergolas (these go quickly on weekends) and a few trees. Rentals include beach chairs, paddleboats, and snorkel and diving gear. Children enjoy the diving platform.

Kenepa

These two beatiful coves are among the island's most popular beaches. Intimate playa kenepa is partly shaded by manchineel trees. The snack bar (which has a tiny restroom) is open on weekends and often plays loud music. Locals like to camp here during school holidays. Larger Playa abou (Big Beach) has several shade pergolas set back from the water and a large snack bar. Behind the beach is a small salt marsh. The vista over the beach from the parking area is an excellent photo op; a stairway and ramp lead down to the beach. Halfway between the two beaches is a cliffside lookout point, a good photo op, with a path that leads through the underbrush to Playa Kenepa. Nearby Landhuis Kenepa is worth a visit.

Klein Curaçao
Island 2 hours of the coast of Curaçao

Curaçao's longest and whitest beach is on Klein Curaçao, an uninhabited island eight miles off the souteast coast. Dive operators and charter boats take passengers out to the oversized volcanic rock for beach parties, cookouts and fantastic diving. The shore is covered in soft white sand and the water is crystal clear, but there is little shade. The northeastern side routinely has calm water with gentle waves. If you want to go over here, check with dive operators or sailboat charters that offer trips including snorkling and refreshments and usually a picnic or barbecue lunch.

Playa Forti
Westpunt Playa Forti

The view from above this beach is right out of a postcard, with the fishing boats and a panorama of the island's western tip. Here you'll find pleasantly different coarse brown sand and tiny smooth pebbles but almost no shade. There are several snack bars and a restaurant at the parking area above the beach, with a steep ramp and steps down to the water.

Playa Kalki

This small cove is popular for snorkeling and diving, and has a roped of area with afloating platform. It is located down steep stone steps from the parking area.Halfway between the parking area and the beach is a shaded terrace with a snack bar and dive shop. From the beach another set of steps leads to the Kura Hulanda Lodge on the bluffs above, which has a restaurant. Entrance to the water is somewhat rocky.

Playa Lagun

A cluster of fishing boats gives this narrow cove a picturesque air. The water is very calm and shallow near shore, with excellent snorkeling. Children who can barely swim will be able to don a mask and see the fish without going in over their heads. Large shade structures and manchineel trees provide ample shade. A small snack bar is open on the weekend.

Playa Piskado/ Playa Grandi

This tiny fishermen's beach is also popular for snorkeling and diving and has some good photo ops of the boats and nets. Manchineel trees provide some shade. A small snack bar is open on the weekend. Entrance to the water is somewhat rocky.

Playa Porto Marie
Landhuis Porto Marie
St. Willibrordus
Phone: +(5999)/864 7558
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Playa PortoMari is a beautiful sandy bay to be found on the private estate of Plantages "PortoMari" on the west coast. Its white coral sand beach, with clear and calm water, is a true paradise for water lovers, and the unique "double" reef is easily accessible from the shore providing a fascinating snorkel and dive site. There's a diveoperator at the beach. For landlubbers, two nature trails have their starting point at the beach parking lot. All activities at Playa PortoMari are managed in an environmentally responsible manner. For example, water is recycled and used for the toilets and irrigation purposes, the boardwalks are made from discarded pallets or "Trex", a recycled product, and our publications are printed on 100% wood-free recycled paper. Playa PortoMari is open every day and the beachside bar and restaurant offer visitors a variety of delicious tropical drinks and meals. Entrance fee: Naf. 3.50 p.p. (Naf. 4.00 on Sundays/Public Holidays) which includes one free drink. Children free. Open daily from 9.30 hrs to 18.30 hrs. (Closed on 31 December and Carnival Sunday.)

Seaqarium Beach
Bapor Kibra
Willemstad
Phone: (5999/461-6666
Fax: (5999/461-3671
Website >>

This beach, right next door to the seaquarium has all facilities, palmtrees and beautiful white sand. During the day it's the perfect place for children to play in the shallow water. There are shops, several bars like Mambo, Kontiki, Wet & Wild and Blue Oceans. There are facilities for all watersports. The beach is popular with families and young people. At night, specially in the weekend it can be a very crowded hotspot. There are concerts and even movies on the beach.

Vaarsenbaai
Phone: +(5999)/889-0413

Serious swimmer, snorkelers and divers will have no problem ignoring the scant sand, rocky enry and lack of shade at this picturesque cove just west of town. Small children will find entrance to the water difficult, but will enjoy the small play area, wading pool (wich is not filled), pier and, if they're good swimmers, the diving platform. Sometimes you can see bright blue and green parrot fish from the pier. The seaside bar has a large convered terrace. The beach is sometimes closed for private parties; occasionally there are public events with loud music on the terrace.

Links & Sources:

• Frommers
• Curacao.com
• Map