10 Best Beaches in Curacao

Jan Thiel Beach is a high-end beach where you'll not only find soft sand and inviting waters, but also conveniently located restaurants with treats and drinks for everyone. Four unique restaurants are located on this beach, with each offering its own style of cuisine that adds some variety to the experience.

The beach itself is notably relaxed despite its popularity, so you'll find plenty of room to take it easy or go for a dip in the water. The waves are fairly calm, so it's easy enough to swim here. You'll find this beach south of Willemstad in the town of Jan Thiel.

Kokomo Beach is a destination that just about everyone can enjoy with opportunities to relax in a lounge chair or go diving and explore the local underwater wonders. Some of the best lounge chairs on the island can be found here, and it's easy enough to get cocktails and beer from local restaurants.

If you're feeling more adventurous, you may want to check out the diving centre at this beach. You can learn how to dive properly with all the equipment you need to explore the fascinating underwater world here. It's all located a few miles west of Willemstad and south of Grote Berg.

Grote Knip Beach is a relaxing beach situated in a valley where you can take it easy in a small lagoon with calm waters and a nearby reef. With its relatively isolated location and gentle waves, it's a popular spot for families to visit with waters safe enough for kids to swim in.

The water here is remarkably clear, so it's an ideal spot for snorkelling. While the marine life you can see under the waves is impressive, the star of the show here is the coral reef nearby. You'll find Grote Knip Beach on the north side of the island between Westpunt and Lagun.

Cas Abao Beach is a stunning beach with a variety of activities to enjoy including snorkelling, dining, and getting a massage, all with a vibrant natural backdrop. Amongst the white sand here, you'll find lush greenery with large palm umbrellas offering shade and easy access to the water.

If you're looking to relax, you'll find facilities here that can offer you a massage right on the waterfront. For those who are a bit more interested in adventure, snorkelling is quite popular, especially considering the array of colourful tropical fish nearby. See it all for yourself along the shore of Valentijn Bay southwest of Bisento.

Playa Forti is a popular brown-sand beach that's home to a nearby restaurant and a cliff where you can jump into the sea. Cliff diving is the most popular activity here, but you'll have to proceed with caution. The cliff is nearly 33 feet high, and you'll want to make sure to get some distance with your jump as well.

Aside from cliff jumping, you'll also find a snack bar and restaurant here well within walking distance of the shoreline. You can get to this beach easily by heading to the western coast of Sabana Westpunt on the northwestern side of the island.

Mambo Beach is a man-made beach with a variety of attractions including white sands, calm blue waters, a volleyball court, convenient drinks, and opportunities for diving. The waters are calm thanks to the breakwater, so kids can swim without having to worry about rough surf.

If you're looking for adventure, you'll find opportunities for diving and snorkelling here in the gentle water. Alternatively, you can enjoy the white-sand beach with a game of volleyball. It's all available about 4 miles south of Willemstad.

Klein Curacao Beach is the main beach on Little Curacao where you can enjoy crystal blue waters, soft white sands, and incredible underwater views. Being located off the mainland, this beach is largely undisturbed, letting you easily take in the scenic natural beauty.

When you visit, you can enjoy the tranquil waters along the shore or venture farther out into them. Snorkelling is especially popular given the tropical fish that take residence here. Additionally, you'll find a spectacular reef. It's located southeast of the main Curacao island.

Playa Lagun is a beach that's popular for snorkelling and diving thanks to its array of reef fish and marine life that visitors will want to see up close. The beach is set amongst rocky cliffs, so the waters are relatively calm if you're just looking to relax in the shallows.

When you travel underwater, you'll see a variety of reef fish along with sea turtles. Additionally, the local reef features corals and large sponges in an array of colours. You can experience it all by heading to the southern part of Lagun around the northwestern coast of the island.

Playa Kalki is a modest beach nestled within a small cove that features opportunities for underwater exploration and dining as well as a roped-off area that's safe for swimming. Whether you're swimming or snorkelling, however, it's important to know that the entrance to the water can be a bit rocky.

Above this beach, you'll find a lodge that has its own restaurant and snack bar, so you won't have to go far to grab a bite to eat. Plus, the local shops have everything you need for a dive. See it all for yourself northwest of Sabana Westpunt on the north side of the island.

Boka Sint Michiel is a lovely, modest beach that's home to some soft sands and a fishing pier with a surrounding village that features clubs and restaurants. The most popular activity here is fishing, as you might imagine, but boating is easy to enjoy as well.

Along the beachfront, you'll find several restaurants that specialise in seafood using fresh fish caught just steps away from their kitchens. You can explore it all near the central western coast of the island just a few miles west of Willemstad.