Beach hopping on the most beautiful beaches in Curaçao. Just imagine it: the warm Caribbean sun on your skin, a gentle breeze blowing through your hair and the sound of calm waves gently breaking on the pearly white sand. That is the magic of Curaçao, a tropical paradise full of breathtaking beaches waiting to be discovered. Jump into you rental car and join me on an unforgettable journey, beach hopping along the most beautiful beaches of this enchanting island.
These are the 12 most beautiful beaches in Curaçao
Finding something beautiful is of course always subjective. I have therefore put together a list of the most beautiful beaches below that I think will appeal to a wide audience. Not only the busy, popular beaches are mentioned here, but also some unknown beaches and beaches where you mainly encounter locals. This way you can choose the type of beach that suits you best. Will you travel with me?
1. Santa Martha Bay Beach: A hidden gem
- Free entrance.
- Enjoy peace and serenity.
- Perfect for photography.
- Great snorkeling opportunities.
Tip:: Watch the short drone video above to get a good idea of the beach and the surrounding area.
Santa Martha Bay is a beautiful part to explore in itself, but the unknown beach is of course what you come for. The beach is hidden between green hills on the north coast of Curaçao and only accessible by (rental) car. It is a true oasis of peace and beauty and as you walk along the crystal clear water, you will feel the stress of everyday life melt away. Take your time to enjoy the panoramic view of the bay!
Sunnycars is based in the Netherlands and our favorite choice for car rental while traveling. At Sunnycars you can rent a car worry-free without having to worry about conditions and insurance. Sunnycars offers exclusively all inclusive car rental. This means that all prices you see include all other costs, coverage and insurance.
- All inclusive car rental
- Worldwide offer
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In the photos below you can see exactly why snorkeling is so good here: the coral reef of Santa Martha Bay is kilometers long! Whether you decide to swim, snorkel or simply relax on the soft sand: if you like peace and authenticity, Santa Martha Bay will not disappoint you.
2. Playa Santa Cruz: Chilling with the locals
- Free entrance.
- Local atmosphere and charm.
- Good place for a BBQ.
- Beautiful sunsets.
Playa Santa Cruz, located on the northwest coast of Curaçao, welcomes you with turquoise waters surrounded by mountains. Here you can taste the authentic local atmosphere while relaxing on the white sandy beach.
This is the place where you will meet many local people. They come here en masse towards the evening, with large filled cool boxes and barbecues. Here, in the afternoon, the relaxing beach changes into a super cozy free beach bar. Are you getting excited yet? I certainly do!
3. Playa Jeremi: Escape the crowds
- Free entrance.
- Secluded and quiet.
- Fantastic snorkeling.
- Ideal for relaxation.
Hidden on the rugged northwest coast of Curaçao lies Playa Jeremi. This small, exclusive beach is a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. As you relax on the soft sand and listen to the soothing sound of the waves gently breaking on the shore, you will truly be on holiday without any worries.
Enough of sunbathing and relaxing? Then explore the colorful coral reefs that start where the beaches stop. While snorkeling I discovered an underwater world full of life and color. I even saw a huge sea turtle float by. Playa Jeremi is the place for people looking for a small-scale, authentic experience without too many amenities.
Tip:: We take underwater photos with our GoPro.
4. Kleine Knip: Small but nice
- Free entrance.
- Photogenic and picturesque.
- Great for swimming and diving.
- Cozy and family friendly.
Kleine Knip, located on the west coast of Curaçao is a beautiful beach with a picturesque landscape behind it. You'll also find crystal clear waters and a relatively peaceful atmosphere here, although it can also get quite busy, especially on weekends.
Take a refreshing dip in the water and explore the colorful underwater world while snorkeling. Or simply relax on the soft sand under the shade of an umbrella and let the stress of everyday life fade away. Kleine Knip is one of the beaches I would like to come back to!
5. Grote Knip: conviviality at its best
- Free entrance.
- Breathtaking beach.
- Facilities and viewpoint.
- Standard stop for tour buses.
Tip:: Watch the short drone video above to get a good idea of the beach and the surrounding area.
De DJI Mini 4 Pro is an impressively compact and foldable drone with numerous advanced features. It super compact size and weight in combination with sharp 4K images makes this the ultimate drone to take with you when traveling.
- Compact drone of < 249 grams
- HDR video in 4K/60fps
- Camera can be rotated for social media
Grote Knip, located on the beautiful west coast of Curaçao, is a true jewel with great appeal. The beach is surrounded by impressive cliffs from which daredevils love to jump. Like some other beaches on the island, it has crystal clear water.
Is this beautiful beach a favorite among locals and visitors alike? Absolute. You even have a number of facilities here, such as a viewpoint, a large parking lot and stalls where you can order food or drinks. The downside is that there is a growing number of people at Grote Knip throughout the day. Tour buses that load and unload people all day long to take some photos and leave again, for example.
Are you looking for peace and quiet? Fortunately, you can still relax on the soft sand and enjoy the view of the azure blue sea. Simply make sure that you get a spot as far away from the large parking lot as possible.
6. Playa Kalki: A Diving Paradise
- Free entrance.
- Excellent diving spot.
- Beautiful natural environment.
- Relaxed atmosphere.
Playa Kalki is also known as “Alice in Wonderland Beach”. Located on the northwest coast of Curaçao, this small, intimate beach also offers crystal clear water. However, you will have to arrive here on time: most (paid) beds and parasols are often already occupied in the afternoon and there is actually no room to put your towel down somewhere.
Tip:: Curious what we shoot with? Then view the display below.
The Fujifilm X-T5 with 16-80 is the ultimate all-round world travel camera† This camera has been declared several times by both the consumer association and Tweakers.net the best system camera you can buy. Even on automatic mode, you suddenly feel like a professional photographer!
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What makes Playa Kalki special is that you can enjoy snorkeling and even diving here. There is a colorful coral reef a few dozen meters from the beach. In the photo below you can see that the boats are ready and the building with thatched roofs houses a popular diving school.
Playa Kalki and its associated reef is a perfect place to admire the beautiful underwater world full of tropical fish and sea turtles. This can be done while snorkeling along the pier or reef. If you are looking for more adventure, go further out to sea with a diving instructor. In any case, one thing is certain: you will probably spot several sea turtles here while snorkeling, just like me!
Tip:: We take underwater photos with our GoPro.
7. Playa Cas Abao: A Caribbean Oasis
- You have to pay 10 guilders entrance fee here.
- Water sports available.
- Restaurant and bar.
Located on the northwest coast of Curaçao, Playa Cas Abao is a Caribbean oasis with unprecedented powdery white sand and turquoise waters. The sand here is even softer and finer than most other beaches on Curacao.
It is a very relaxing place while you sip a refreshing drink from the beach bar, but unfortunately you will have to pay an entrance fee of 10 guilders. Sun loungers and parasols also cost money and a 0,25l light beer costs 5 or 6 euros. Despite the relatively high costs, the beach is still worth a visit – it is truly beautiful.
8. Playa Porto Marie: The long beach
- Free entrance.
- Easy to chill on
- Large and spacious beach.
- Food and beverage options available.
Playa Porto Marie is a free paradise for nature lovers who want to experience tranquility. This long, idyllic beach is known for its two reefs that are perfect for snorkeling. The beach is also known for the raft that you can swim to.
The coral reefs here are also close enough to explore while snorkeling and turtles are regularly spotted. After a day of snorkeling and relaxing, you can relax on the white sandy beach and enjoy the beautiful sunset over the Caribbean Sea.
9. Daaibooi Beach: A hidden treasure
- Free entrance.
- Hidden and quiet.
- Excellent snorkeling opportunities.
- Ultimate relaxation.
Tip:: Watch the short drone video above to get a good idea of the beach and the surrounding area.
Daaibooi Beach is a picturesque beach with a strikingly large stretch of crystal clear water, including a soft sandy beach and a tranquil atmosphere. With its quiet location, Daaibooi Beach is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle. Take a dip and admire the tropical fish that can be found nearby. Because let's be honest: everyone wants to swim and snorkel in water this color, right?
Tip:: You can also rent a watercraft here – ask at the huts on the beach.
10. Kokomo Beach: for your Insta
- You have to pay an entrance fee here.
- Trendy Insta swing
- Lots of iguanas!
- Enjoy cocktails at the beach bar.
Kokomo Beach, located on the southeast coast of Curaçao, is a well-known name. Here too you will of course find swaying palm trees and crystal clear water. What makes this place unique, however, is the trendy swing in the water, perfect for some (Cheesy?) Insta photos. Of course you can't ignore the many iguanas that walk around here. When you're chilling here on your beach bed, don't be alarmed if a strolling iguana suddenly appears next to you and is more than happy to share chips with you!
11. Jan Thiel Beach: lots of fun
- You have to pay an entrance fee here.
- Lively atmosphere.
- Beach bars and restaurants.
- Popular at sunset.
Jan Thiel Beach is a lively destination for people who enjoy fun. It is more or less a private beach shared by a number of hotels and therefore has a range of facilities. This popular beach is the ideal place for anyone who likes lots of people and fun around them.
You mainly come here to eat and drink from around 16:00 PM. In the morning and afternoon relax on a lounger under a parasol. You can also do water sports activities here such as kayaking and paddle boarding, if that's your thing. The vibrant atmosphere and beautiful sunset views certainly make Jan Thiel Beach unique and therefore a must-visit for travelers looking for a lively beach experience in Curaçao.
12. Klein Curaçao: Crème de la Crème
- Only accessible by boat
- Secluded paradise.
- Whiter than white sandy beaches.
- Special lighthouse.
- Historical shipwrecks.
De DJI Mini 4 Pro is an impressively compact and foldable drone with numerous advanced features. It super compact size and weight in combination with sharp 4K images makes this the ultimate drone to take with you when traveling.
- Compact drone of < 249 grams
- HDR video in 4K/60fps
- Camera can be rotated for social media
Everything they say about Klein Curaçao is correct. It is a small uninhabited island off the coast of Curaçao and it offers an exclusive island adventure for those looking for the whitest beaches in Curaçao. When the sun breaks through, you really can't do without sunglasses here!
With its vast white sandy beaches, special lighthouse and shipwrecks, this remote paradise is the perfect destination for a day trip. I went with the Rastamaran catamaran from Irie tours, shown in the photo below.
Finally:
These were the 12 most beautiful beaches in Curaçao! I hope you have put some beautiful beaches on your list to discover for yourself. Now the question is of course how to get to the island and how to get around there.
Practical information
For example, are you looking for a nice place to stay or are you looking for a cheap package trip? Then read our review about Corendon's brand new 5* resort including flights and transfers (more info below).
The Reef at Mangrove Beach is the brand new ultra-all-inclusive hotel resort from Corendon located on mangrove beach in Curaçao. Pamper yourself with pearly white beaches, 5 swimming pools, 7 à la carte restaurants, several cocktail bars and a perfect location, a 10-minute walk from colorful Willemstad.
Package holidays based on ultra all-inclusive including flights and transfers can be booked from 1059 euros!
If you have another rental car If you are looking for Curaçao so you can go beach hopping at your own pace along the most beautiful beaches on the island, then take a look at Sunnycars - they are the #1 car rental company in the Netherlands and they are also active in Curaçao.
Sunnycars is based in the Netherlands and our favorite choice for car rental while traveling. At Sunnycars you can rent a car worry-free without having to worry about conditions and insurance. Sunnycars offers exclusively all inclusive car rental. This means that all prices you see include all other costs, coverage and insurance.
- All inclusive car rental
- Worldwide offer
- Rent a car without worries
TLDR; Why this list is reliable and others are not
There are countless lists on the internet about the most beautiful beaches in Curaçao. But let's take a critical look: how good or reliable are these actually? Every Google search result led me to popular travel blogs with simply some well-known beaches of Curaçao... They are often only the popular beaches or the beaches that they happened to visit themselves.
Guess what? These are always 'the most beautiful' or 'the best'...
…as if the article was written purely for Google and not for you, the reader…
These travel blogs actually fool you a bit.
To really judge the 'most beautiful beaches in Curaçao', you actually have to be there yourself to compare them all, right?
If you would like to get a realistic picture of a particular destination (and don't want to be disappointed in Instagram vs Reality-like at every destination...), follow our website and social media channels. See you there!
