14 Best beaches in Curaçao
Curacao is well-known for its breathtaking beaches. Visitors of the island enjoy staring at the amazing azure blue waters of the Caribbean Sea or weaving their fingers through the warm white sand. To help you plan your perfect beach getaway, we’ve listed the 14 best beaches in Curacao, each offering something unique and unforgettable.
1. Blue Bay Beach
Blue Bay Beach blends natural Caribbean beauty with comfort and convenience. Located within the secure Blue Bay Resort, this spacious beach features a children’s playground, excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities, and plenty of places to eat and drink: Blend Beach Bar, Coast Beach Restaurant, Brass Boer, our own restaurant at Bayside Boutique Hotel, and Tribu for ice cream and pizza. Guests can relax on the wide sandy bay, explore the reef, or enjoy water sports. If you’re staying at Bayside Boutique Hotel, you’ll benefit from free access to Blue Bay Beach and can stroll to the shore within 1 minute. With its peaceful environment and upscale amenities, Blue Bay is one of the best beaches on the island for a relaxing and luxurious beach day.
Facilities: sunbeds, palapas, showers, toilets, playground, dive shop (Blue Bay Dive), open 8 am to 8 pm
Website: bluebay-curacao.com
Book your unique stay next to blue bay beach
2. Cas Abao Beach
Often considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Curaçao, Cas Abao (also spelled Cas Abou) offers a postcard-worthy setting with calm turquoise waters, swaying palms, and soft white sand. The gentle shoreline makes it ideal for swimming and snorkeling, while a beach bar provides refreshing drinks and simple lunches. With Wi-Fi, restrooms, and onsite parking available, Cas Abao is perfect for couples, families, and anyone seeking a classic Caribbean beach day in paradise.
Facilities: beach bar and restaurant, toilets, showers, sunbeds, dive shop, secured parking
Website: casabaobeach.com
3. Playa Porto Mari
Playa Porto Mari is a dream for nature lovers. This eco-conscious beach operates almost entirely on solar power, and its solar panel structure even offers shaded lounging areas. Porto Mari is committed to protecting the environment, running an active coral reef restoration program and organizing regular coastal clean-ups. The reef here is a snorkeler’s highlight, offering vibrant marine life just offshore. With beach chair rentals, hiking trails, clear waters, and a beachfront restaurant, Porto Mari offers the perfect blend of nature, comfort, and relaxation — ideal for families and travelers who appreciate sustainability and serenity.
Facilities: restaurant, bar, beach chairs, toilets, showers, dive shop, two nature trails
Website: playaportomari.com
4. Boca Sami
Just a five-minute drive from Bayside Boutique Hotel, Boca Sami is a peaceful local beach with soft sand and a traditional fishing pier. This beach offers an authentic Curaçao experience with palapas, picnic tables, and two waterfront restaurants, Diverse Sauzen and the Niffo Huts, serving delicious local dishes. There is also a dive school, making it a great place to start or continue your diving journey. With a laid-back atmosphere and beautiful views, Boca Sami is perfect for travelers who love exploring local culture away from the crowds.
Facilities: fishing pier, palapas, picnic tables, two restaurants, dive school
From Blue Bay: about 5 minutes by car
5. Daaibooi Beach
Daaibooi is a charming, relaxed beach known for its calm waters and excellent snorkeling. On weekends, and especially on Sundays, it becomes a lively gathering place where local families come to barbecue and enjoy the day. The beach remains peaceful during weekdays, offering a perfect spot for quiet sunbathing or underwater exploration. A small beach bar serves drinks and snacks, making Daaibooi a wonderful mix of community spirit and natural beauty.
Facilities: snack bar, toilets, changing rooms, sunbeds, palapas, dive school
6. Grote Knip (Playa Kenepa Grandi)
Grote Knip, also known as “Playa Kenepa Grandi”, entices with its postcard-perfect scenery. Immerse yourself in the crystal-clear turquoise waters and sink your toes into the soft white sand, all while framed by dramatic cliffs. Grote Knip is probably the most famous beach on the western part of the island. There is a spacious parking lot, and you can rent beach beds and umbrellas to make your stay more comfortable. A small snack bar is available and there are toilet and shower facilities on site. Make sure you have some cash with you to use these facilities.
Facilities: free parking, snack bar, beds and umbrellas for rent, toilets, showers; bring cash
7. Klein Knip (Playa Kenepa Chiki)
Klein Knip, or “Playa Kenepa Chiki”, is Grote Knip’s smaller and quieter sister, just around the corner. The little bay is framed by rocks and shade trees, and the snorkeling is good on both sides; in the afternoon, sea turtles often swim close to shore on the right-hand side. Facilities are limited, so bring water and snacks. On Sundays both Knip beaches fill up with local families, so come early for a good spot.
Facilities: free parking, palapas, beds and umbrellas for rent, beach security from 10 am to 5 pm; few other facilities
8. Playa Grandi (Playa Piskado)
Playa Grandi may not look like a typical paradise beach, but it is one of the most exciting snorkeling spots on the island. Known for its sea turtles, this local fisherman’s beach gives you the chance to see turtles in their natural habitat as fishermen prepare their fresh catch. Snorkeling here feels magical, but please respect nature: keep your distance and never touch the turtles. With its authentic charm and unique wildlife encounters, Playa Grandi is a must-visit for ocean lovers.
Facilities: free parking, small snack bar (not open every day), chair and umbrella rental; water shoes recommended
9. Playa Kalki
At the very tip of the island in Westpunt, Playa Kalki is a small cove at the foot of the cliffs, reached by a flight of stone steps. The reef starts right off the beach, sea turtles are regular visitors, and a coral nursery was added in 2025. The beach club on the cliff above has sunbeds, palapas, a pool and a restaurant, while Go West Diving runs the pier. It’s one of the best spots on the island for snorkeling and shore diving.
Facilities: beach club with pool and restaurant, snack bar, dive shop; open 10 am to 6 pm (weekends until 7 pm)
Website: playabeachclub.com
10. Mambo Beach
Mambo Beach is the place to be if you enjoy a lively beach environment with shops, restaurants, and beach clubs. Lounge on comfortable beach beds, sip cocktails, listen to music, and browse boutiques along the boulevard. With water sports, bars, and family-friendly areas available, Mambo offers the perfect balance of excitement and relaxation. It’s the ideal spot for those who enjoy a vibrant atmosphere right at the water’s edge.
Facilities: beach clubs with sunbeds, toilets, showers, shops, restaurants, water sports
Website: mambobeach.com
11. Playa Lagun
Playa Lagun is a narrow, cliff-lined bay surrounded by dramatic rock formations. The sheltered water here is perfect for snorkeling and diving, and sea turtles are often seen gliding through the clear water. Guests can rent beach beds, relax in natural shade beneath trees, and enjoy food and drinks at the charming restaurant overlooking the bay. Playa Lagun feels intimate and authentic, ideal for travelers looking for a peaceful escape with great snorkeling.
Facilities: beach bed rental, restaurant and bar on the cliff, dive shops nearby
12. Kokomo Beach
Kokomo Beach is well-known for its relaxed island vibe, making it a favorite among both locals and visitors. A beachfront restaurant offers delicious lunch options and scenic ocean views. Sundays are especially popular, with a DJ in the afternoon, a live band, and happy hour from 5 to 6 pm. And of course, no visit is complete without a photo on the famous Kokomo swing in the water. Whether you’re looking for tranquility or a fun social atmosphere, Kokomo has it all.
Facilities: restaurant, bar, sunbeds and cabanas for rent, toilets, dive shop; no outside food or drinks
Website: kokomobeachcuracao.com
13. Jan Thiel Beach
Jan Thiel Beach, on the east side of Willemstad, is a lively and well-kept beach protected by breakwaters, so the water stays calm and shallow — ideal for children. The bay is lined with beach clubs and restaurants such as Zanzibar, Zest, Koko’s and Papagayo, serving everything from breakfast to dinner, and there are water sports and a beach volleyball court. Weekends bring live music and happy hours. Just around the corner in Caracasbaai, kids can steer their own little electric boat at Mini Waves. Jan Thiel is also one of the departure points for boat trips to Klein Curaçao.
Facilities: free guarded parking, sunbeds at the beach clubs, showers, toilets (including accessible ones), restaurants, water sports
Website: janthielbeach.com
14. Klein Curaçao (day trip)
Around 10 kilometers off the coast lies Klein Curaçao, an uninhabited island with a long white beach, a historic lighthouse and the wreck of a tanker on its windward shore. Sea turtles nest here and are often spotted while snorkeling. You can only get there by boat: several operators run day trips from Caracasbaai, Jan Thiel or Santa Barbara Beach, usually with breakfast, a barbecue lunch and drinks included. Depending on the boat, the crossing takes between 50 minutes and two hours, and the way out can be rough, so take something against seasickness if you’re prone to it.
Good to know: book ahead; boats leave between 7 and 10 am
Operators: Miss Ann · BlueFinn Charters · Irie Tours · Powerboat Caribbean
Stay at Bayside Boutique Hotel — Where your beach adventure begins
To make the most of your beach holiday in Curacao, staying in a central and serene location makes all the difference. Bayside Boutique Hotel, located inside the gated Blue Bay Curacao Golf & Beach Resort, is just steps away from one of the island’s most beautiful beaches and offers guests free access to Blue Bay Beach. With spacious rooms, a peaceful atmosphere, a pool, a fitness area, lush gardens, nearby golf, and excellent dining options steps from your door, the hotel offers the perfect balance of luxury and Caribbean charm.
Whether you’re seeking tranquility, adventure, or a mix of both, Bayside Boutique Hotel is the ideal base for exploring the most stunning beaches in Curacao.
Frequently asked questions
Many are, including Grote Knip, Klein Knip, Playa Grandi (Playa Piskado), Playa Lagun, Kokomo Beach and Boca Sami. Others, such as Cas Abao, Porto Mari, Mambo Beach and Jan Thiel, charge a small entrance fee. Check their websites for current rates.
Playa Grandi (Playa Piskado) is the best-known spot. You also have a good chance at Playa Lagun, Klein Knip, Playa Kalki and Klein Curaçao. Keep your distance and never touch the turtles.
Blue Bay, Jan Thiel, Mambo Beach and Cas Abao have calm, shallow water with toilets, showers and shade. For more ideas, see our guide to things to do with kids in Curaçao.
Grote Knip is the most photographed, with its turquoise bay and white sand between the cliffs. Cas Abao is a close second, and a day on Klein Curaçao is hard to beat.
At the western beaches it helps. Sunbeds, toilets and snack bars at Grote Knip, Klein Knip and Playa Piskado are often cash only, and card readers aren’t always reliable, so bring some small bills.
Yes. Day visitors pay an entrance fee. Guests of Bayside Boutique Hotel have free access to Blue Bay Beach.
