Determining which are the best beaches in Curaçao is not an easy task. Curaçao has more than 35 beaches, all of them with crystal clear blue water and white sand. Many of them are known worldwide, such as Grote Knip Beach that you can see on postcards or typical images of Curaçao, to the more hidden ones that are still very beautiful. Here is a list of what are considered by locals and tourists as the best beaches in Curaçao, either for the beauty of the sea, for the amenities and infrastructure they offer, or simply for the unspoiled nature that surrounds them.
I have also added the location of each beach on the map, so you have an idea of where it is and how to get there.
Next to each description, you will also find a link to the tours that can take you to each beach. I hope all the information will be useful.
At the end, as usual, there is a FAQ section and of course you can send me a message if you have any additional questions.
Grote Knip beach (Kenepa Grandi)
Kenepa Beach is a favorite for locals and tourists alike. Thanks to the large size of the beach, you rarely have the feeling of being on a crowded beach.
This is one of the favorite beaches for families, as it has fine sand and is safe for children, who can run from one place to another without stumbling over rocks and can swim without the risk of reaching deep areas.
Kenepa Beach is also a favorite for snorkelers.
Ideal for
Families, snorkelers, divers, beach lovers, etc.
Includes
Spacious parking, bar with drinks and snacks for sale
How to get there?
Follow the map to the west coast of the island. Accessible by car, cab or tourist bus.
LOCATION
Tours that can bring you closer to this beach
Piskado Beach
(Grandi Beach)
This beach is loved by local fishermen precisely because they can fish here. It is also a favorite of tourists because of the presence of sea turtles. It is a slightly small beach and allows visitors to swim or snorkel with the sea turtles that roam the area.
Fishermen clean the fish on the pier that is part of the landscape of this beach, which keeps the turtles close to the shore.
Ideal for
Swimming, snorkeling, fishing.
Includes
Parking, restaurants in the vicinity
How to get there?
Follow the map to the west coast of the island. A little further than Playa Kenepa.
Accessible by car, cab or tourist bus.
LOCATION
Tours that can bring you closer to this beach
PORTO MARIE Beach
Porto Marie beach is an ideal beach to relax. The beach offers the perfect setting for a comfortable day with picnic areas, umbrellas and beach chairs available for rent.
In addition to the beautiful scenery, the characteristic characters on this beach are the pigs that will be along the beach and end up being the protagonists of the Instagram of many.
Ideal for
Families, snorkelers, divers, beach lovers, etc.
Includes
Spacious parking, bar with drinks and snacks for sale
How to get there?
Follow the map to the west coast of the island. Accessible by car, cab or tourist bus.
LOCATION
Tours that can bring you closer to this beach
Cas Abao Beach
Cas Abao beach looks like something out of a National Geographic magazine cover, or a movie.
This beach has soft white sand, crystal clear waters and all the necessary facilities for a quiet day in comfort.
Many have complained that the prices of the food sold at the bar are expensive, but at the same time it is one of the few beaches where bringing food and drinks is allowed.
The cost is 10 guilders per car (plus 4 persons). You can stay all day if you want to and on average you can go from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Ideal for
Families, snorkelers, divers, beach lovers, tanning, photography.
Includes
Spacious parking, bar and restaurant, restrooms and massage store.
How to get there?
Follow the map to the west coast of the island, after Porto Marie Beach.
Accessible by car, cab.
There are no group tours that go to this beach. If you wish, you will need a private tour.
LOCATION
Tours that can bring you closer to this beach
Mambo Beach
This is a protected beach with a boulevard that makes it an ideal place for a whole day with all the entertainment possibilities that a beach can offer: stores for shopping, restaurants for all tastes, restrooms, beach chairs under palapas for shade, a place for massages and a recreational park for children.
Admission to the beach costs 5 guilders per person, and then each chair also has an additional cost per chair. These prices are required between 9 am and 5 pm. After that time, you are free to sit on the beach chairs and enter the beach free of charge.
Mambo Beach provides a safe environment for families and children.
Ideal for
Casual outing, beach lovers, tanning, family day, photography, dinner, remote work (free WIFI).
Includes
Spacious parking, bar and restaurant, restrooms and massage store.
How to get there?
Follow the map to the Seaquarium area (Bapor Kibrá).
Accessible by car, cab, public bus, or tourist bus. If you wish, you will need a private tour.
From the Punda bus station, you can take any Mambo/Seaquarium bus and it will drop you off at the boulevard gate. The beach is in the background.
LOCATION
Tours that can bring you closer to this beach
FAQ CURACAO BEACHES
Can I visit the beaches using public transportation?
You can reach by bus the beaches near the city and on the east side of the island: Jan Thiel, Caracasbaai, Mambo Beach Boulevard, Parasasa Beach (Piscadera), Pirate Bay, Boca Sami.
To go to the west side beaches, you can take the bus to Knip.
The closest beaches to the Westpoint bus stop are Piskado Beach and Forti Beach.
Note that if you go by bus, you will have to walk a bit to reach certain beaches in the area. So keep this in mind when planning the weight of what you will carry for the day.
Here you can see the routes (and schedules) that will take you to some of the beaches of Curaçao: https://autobusbedrijf.com/informashon-di-ruta/oraria-di-ruta-i-mapa
The recommended ones would be:
To go to Jan Thiel / Caracasbaai: Route 6A – Punda – Caracasbaai
To go to Westpoint / Grote Knip / Lagun: Route 3C Otrobanda – Knip / Lagun
To go to Mambo Beach: Take the bus with the board Mambo / Seaquarium / Bapor Kibra. To return you can take the same bus at the entrance of Mambo Beach boulevard. Buses are normally available every 15-30 minutes.
To go to other beaches, it will be necessary to rent a car, no doubt.
