Playa Piskado (Playa Grandi)

• AreaWestpunt
• EntryFree
• Best forSnorkelling with turtles
• TipLook, don't touch or feed

Playa Piskado, also called Playa Grandi, is a modest little beach just south of Westpunt village with one remarkable feature: turtles. Local fishermen bring in their catch at the small pier and clean it on the spot, and for years green sea turtles have gathered in the shallow water just offshore. The result is one of the most reliable places in the Caribbean to swim near wild turtles from the beach, at no cost.

Snorkelling with the turtles

Put on a mask, swim out along the pier, and you will usually spot turtles within minutes, grazing on seagrass or surfacing to breathe. Mornings tend to be calmer, with fewer people, though the turtles are around most of the day.

• Keep a few metres' distance and let the turtles come and go; never touch, chase or block their way to the surface.
• Do not feed them. Fish scraps from tourists make them dependent and can harm them.
• Watch for boats near the pier, where fishermen still come and go.

Facilities

The beach is small and gets crowded at midday when tour groups arrive. There is usually a snack bar and snorkel gear rental, plus some shade, but bring your own gear if you can. The entry is rocky in places, so water shoes help.

It is only a few minutes from Playa Kenepa and the village of Westpunt, where a couple of restaurants overlook the sea, a fine spot to stay for sunset. Snorkel trips to the west coast often stop here: see GetYourGuide, or compare on Viator. For more spots to explore underwater, read snorkelling and diving on Curaçao. Hotels and apartments nearby: Booking.com.

Frequently asked questions

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