Curacao, a Caribbean island in the Netherlands, is known for its beaches hidden in bays and their expansive coral reefs.
Curacao, a Caribbean island in the Netherlands, is known for its beaches hidden in bays and their expansive coral reefs rich in marine life. The capital, Willemstad, has pastel colonial architecture, a floating bridge by Queen Emma and the 17th-century paved Mikvek Israel-Emanuel Synagogue. It is also a gateway to western beaches such as Blue Bay, a popular diving spot.
1. Kleine Knip
Kleine Knip is a beach on the Caribbean island of Curaçao. It is located on the western side of the island, between the villages of Westpunt and Lagun, at 50 mins drive from Willemstad. It is a small beach, located at a bay between rocks. There are only a few facilities. The parking is right next to the beach. The beach is famous for its snorkeling. The water in the bay is clear, warm and calm. The sea life is rich and interesting due to the presence of a coral reef nearby. Sea turtles and manta rays have been spotted here.
2. Little Curacao
Klein Curaçao is a 1.7-square-kilometer uninhabited island south-east of Curaçao in the Caribbean Sea and is part of the Dutch country of Curaçao. Klein Curaçao has a desert climate, a climate in which there is an excess of evaporation over precipitation. The only structures on the island are an old lighthouse, a beach house, and several huts. Klein Curaçao is well known as a beautiful diving spot because of its coral and underwater caves. The island was designated as a protected Ramsar site in 2018. Goats were once allowed to roam the island, which contributed to desertification. In 1871, John Godden, an English mining engineer, visited the island, and until 1886 phosphate was mined and exported to Europe.
3. Queen Emma Bridge
The Queen Emma Bridge is a pontoon bridge across St. Anna Bay in Curaçao. It connects the Punda and Otrobanda quarters of the capital city, Willemstad. The bridge is hinged and opens regularly to enable the passage of ocean-going vessels. On the opposite end of the hinge is a small shelter where an operator controls two diesel engines turning propellers. The propellers are mounted perpendicular to the length of the bridge and allow it to swing parallel to the shore. The process only takes a few minutes to complete. The bridge was built in 1888 and was completely renovated in 1939, 1961, 1983-1986, and 2005-2006. The lighting arches were installed in 1955, to celebrate the royal visit of Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard.
4. Hato Caves
Hato Caves are show caves, publicly accessible since 1991 and a popular tourist attraction on the Caribbean island of Curaçao. The caves consist of marine coral limestone, which accumulated over millions of years and after sea levels had dropped were exposed to atmospheric corrosion and karstic processes. They are approximately 240 m long and cover an area of 4,900 m².
5. Playa Porto Marie
Playa Porto Marie is a beach on the Caribbean island of Curaçao, located near the village of Sint Willibrordus, at Porto Marie Bay. The beach is used as a starting point for scuba diving and snorkeling. There is a small bar. Porto Marie Beach is experimenting with artificial coral reefs in order to improve the reef’s condition, having placed hundreds of artificial coral blocks.