By the welcomecuracao.com team · Updated 8 October 2026
Curaçao has dozens of beaches, and almost none of them look like the long, straight strips you find on Aruba. Here the sand sits in small bays (boka or playa) cut into limestone cliffs, with turquoise water, a reef a few metres offshore and, often, a snack bar under a palapa roof. The calm, swimmable beaches are all on the south and west (leeward) coast. The north coast is wild and spectacular, but not for swimming.
Below is our shortlist, grouped by part of the island so you can plan a beach day without zigzagging. Distances are small (Willemstad to Westpunt is roughly an hour's drive), but having a car makes everything easier: compare rental cars on DiscoverCars.
West coast (Banda Abou): the postcard bays
Playa Kenepa (Grote Knip)
The view from the lookout above Playa Kenepa is the one on half of Curaçao's postcards: white sand, a sweep of blue and green, and a cliff on either side. Come early on weekends, when local families fill the shade huts. Its little sister, Kleine Knip, is just down the road and usually quieter.
Playa Piskado (Playa Grandi)
A small fishermen's beach where green turtles feed on the scraps of the day's catch. Playa Piskado is the easiest place on the island to snorkel with turtles. Keep your distance, don't touch or feed them, and stay clear of the pier and fishing boats.
Playa Lagun
A narrow cove between steep rock walls, with calm water and good snorkelling along both sides. Playa Lagun feels like a village beach, with fishing boats pulled up and a simple snack bar.
Playa Forti and Playa Jeremi
Playa Forti at Westpunt is famous for cliff jumping from the terrace next to the restaurant; only jump if you are a confident swimmer and check the depth. Playa Jeremi, a little further south, is a quiet bay that rarely feels crowded.
Central west: facilities and reefs
Cas Abao
Cas Abao is a privately run beach with an entrance fee, sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, a restaurant and snorkel gear rental. Great for families who want everything in one place, and the reef starts right off the beach.
Daaibooi and Porto Mari
Daaibooi, near Sint Willibrordus, is a pretty little bay with cliffs on both sides and a popular local weekend spot. Porto Mari is a managed beach with a fee, facilities and a well-known double reef that divers and snorkellers love. Both are a short drive from the flamingos at Jan Kok, so combine them.
Around Willemstad: beach clubs and easy days
Mambo Beach and Jan Thiel
If you want music, cocktails and a sunbed, head to the Mambo Beach area or Jan Thiel. These are man-made beaches with breakwaters, clubs and restaurants, often with an entrance or sunbed fee. Not wild, but very convenient, and lively in the evening.
Blue Bay and Tugboat Beach
Blue Bay in Sint Michiel is a large managed beach with a drop-off reef close to shore. On the east side, Tugboat Beach at Caracasbaai is less about sand and all about snorkelling: the sunken tugboat lies in about five metres of water.
Practical tips for beach days
Only one beach day? Start at Kenepa before 9 am, snorkel with the turtles at Piskado around midday, have lunch in Westpunt and finish with sunset drinks at Playa Forti. Want an easy family day? Cas Abao covers everything without moving the car. For a full week of beaches mixed with sights, see our 7-day itinerary.
- Fees: some beaches are free, others charge for entry, parking or sunbeds. Bring some cash and a card; US dollars are widely accepted next to the Caribbean guilder (XCG).
- Shade: natural shade is scarce. Arrive early or rent an umbrella; the sun is strong all year.
- Shoes: water shoes help on rocky entries and around coral rubble.
- Valuables: leave nothing visible in the car. Break-ins at beach car parks are the most common problem visitors face.
- Reef care: don't stand on coral, and use a mineral, reef-friendly sunscreen.
Tours: The Best Beaches in Curaçao
Compare guided trips, transfers and tickets.
Frequently asked questions
Which beach in Curaçao is the most beautiful?
Playa Kenepa (Grote Knip) is the classic answer for its view and white sand. For snorkelling with turtles, Playa Piskado is hard to beat.
Do you have to pay for beaches in Curaçao?
Some beaches are free, while managed beaches and beach clubs such as Cas Abao, Porto Mari and many near Willemstad charge for entry, parking or sunbeds.
Can you swim on the north coast?
No, not safely. The north coast has strong waves and currents. Swim on the calm south and west coast and visit the north for the views, for example at Shete Boka.
Header photo: Photo: Matthew T Rader, CC BY-SA 4.0
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