The most well-known beaches on Curaçao are undoubtedly Mambo Beach and Jan Thiel, but the island has many more beautiful and atmospheric spots by the sea. In this article, I’ll take you to 15 special places along the coast. From popular beaches with soft white sand to remote coves with pebbles and a peaceful atmosphere. From beaches with restaurants and all imaginable facilities to places where you won’t encounter another soul. On Curaçao, there’s a beach for everyone!
Jan Thiel Beach
Jan Thiel Beach is located east of Willemstad. The beach is partly man-made with soft white sand and borders a calm lagoon, perfect for swimming or snorkeling. Guests staying at the surrounding resorts enjoy free access; other visitors pay a small entrance fee. Jan Thiel Beach offers excellent facilities: showers, toilets, beach bars, restaurants and boutiques. From the beach, you can easily walk to the lively bars in the area. It’s a great place to spend the day if you like having everything within reach. If you’re staying at one of the surrounding resorts, access to Jan Thiel Beach is free.
Directeurs Baai (Directors Bay)
Are you looking for a quiet, secluded beach where peace matters more than soft, fine sand? Then Directeurs Baai (Directors Bay) is the perfect place to go. This small beach is located on the southern side of the Caracas Bay peninsula. It was once the private beach of Shell’s directors, but since 1985 it has been open to the public.
Mambo Beach (Seaquarium Beach)
Mambo Beach, officially Seaquarium Beach, is a popular and lively beach located south of Willemstad. The beach is largely man-made, with soft white sand along a calm bay protected by a breakwater, ideal for swimming. Entry is free, but you’ll need to pay for sunbeds and umbrellas. Right on the beach you’ll find Mambo Beach Boulevard, with fun shops, restaurants, bars and stylish beach clubs. The facilities are excellent: there are showers, toilets and plenty of parking. To me, Mambo Beach has a slightly more upscale and modern vibe, whereas Jan Thiel feels more laid-back and accessible.
Koko’s
In a quiet corner of Jan Thiel, you’ll find Koko’s, a charming restaurant on a beautiful little beach and one of the best spots for breakfast on Curaçao. Unlike the lively atmosphere at the nearby beach clubs, Koko’s offers a relaxed, laid-back vibe. If you prefer to walk straight from the beach into the sea, Koko’s might be less convenient: there are stones between the sand and the water, making it harder to enter the sea.
Kleine Knip (Playa Kenepa Chiki)
Kleine Knip (Playa Kenepa Chiki) is a small and quiet beach on the northwest coast of Curaçao. The beach is free to access and has limited facilities. The beautiful, fine sand slopes gently into clear, calm water, making it perfect for snorkeling and swimming. On weekdays, the beach is fairly quiet, but it can get much busier on weekends as it’s also a popular spot with locals. Nevertheless, it remains much more peaceful here than at its larger neighbour, Grote Knip.
Grote Knip (Kenepa Grandi)
Grote Knip (Kenepa Grandi) is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful beaches on Curaçao. It is located next to Kleine Knip and is known for its wide, white sandy beach and clear blue water. The beach is free to access and, like Kleine Knip, has limited facilities. Grote Knip is popular with both tourists and locals, which means it can get quite busy, especially on weekends.
Karakter
At Coral Estate, a luxury resort on the west side of the island, you’ll find Karakter Beach Club right by the sea — the perfect spot to enjoy sun, sea and sand. Walk down the steep stairs to sea level and Karakter Beach Club will be on your right, followed by a long stretch of sand with comfortable sunbeds and umbrellas. To the left of the restaurant is a small, idyllic cove with coral remains. Prefer a pool instead? Then head up to the Koraal Rooftop Terrace on the cliff, featuring a beautiful infinity pool. A wonderful place to relax all day long!
Playa Kalki
Playa Kalki is another beautiful beach where, just like at Karakter, there’s a beach club perched on the cliffs above. The beach has soft white sand and crystal-clear blue water, with a cozy restaurant and bar nearby. A staircase from the beach leads you easily up to Playa Beach Club on the cliffs. With its combination of a scenic beach, clear water and a charming beach club, Playa Kalki is, for me, one of the best places on Curaçao to spend a relaxed day — just like Karakter.
Kokomo
Kokomo Beach may not be the most stunning beach when it comes to the sand itself, but its setting more than makes up for it. Tucked between cliffs in the picturesque Vaersen Bay on the west coast of Curaçao, this beach has a relaxed and welcoming vibe. Entry is free and there are sunbeds, umbrellas and a lively open-air restaurant that adds to the atmosphere. The iconic pier with a swing over the water completes the picture. Personally, I love being here at the very end of the day — it’s such a peaceful spot.
Playa Lagun
Playa Lagun is one of the most idyllic coves on Curaçao. Tucked between high cliffs on the island’s west coast, it’s known as one of the best snorkeling spots around. Entry is free and the atmosphere is quite different from the beaches mentioned above — thanks in part to the colorful fishing boats bobbing in the water or resting on the sand. At the top of the cliff, you’ll find Bahia Restaurant, offering stunning views over the bay.
Playa Porto Mari
Playa Porto Mari is high on many people’s list of the most beautiful beaches on Curaçao. Located on the west coast near Sint Willibrordus, it features soft white sand, crystal-clear blue water and excellent facilities. There’s a small entrance fee, but in return you get a well-maintained beach. A striking “attraction” here is the presence of pigs that are often seen wandering along the sand — and sometimes even taking a dip in the sea. I’ve been to the area but not on the beach itself. As picturesque as it looks, the idea of animals on a tourist beach feels a bit too commercial to me and I don’t feel entirely comfortable with it.
Playa Kanoa
Looking for a quiet, unspoiled beach where you’ll hardly see anyone else? Then head to the north side of the island and visit Playa Kanoa. For most people, this isn’t the kind of beach where you’d spend an entire day, but it’s definitely a lovely spot to unwind, wander across the surrounding rocks and simply enjoy the peace and quiet.
Daaibooi Beach
Daaibooi Beach is a lovely spot on the west coast of Curaçao, not far from the previously mentioned Porto Mari and the village of Sint Willibrordus. The beach is nestled between cliffs and is divided in the middle by a barrier of rocks, creating two smaller bays. Entry is free and basic facilities are available.
Playa Grandi
From above, I find Playa Grandi quite beautiful, with the greenery and pier standing out against the deep blue sea alongside the boats bobbing in the water. The beach itself isn’t a place you’d visit for its soft sand, though. What makes it well-known are the sea turtles that are often spotted here. In the past, they came because local fishermen would toss leftover fish parts into the water. Nowadays, someone deliberately feeds the turtles with fish scraps to attract them — and charges money for it. Personally, I’m not comfortable with that, so I only stayed for a short while. At the far end of the beach, you’ll find a few active fishing boats, which makes it an interesting spot for photography lovers.
Playa Forti
Playa Forti is a small beach on the west coast of Curaçao, surrounded by high cliffs topped with restaurants offering beautiful views. While the beach itself is quite small and rocky, it mainly attracts visitors looking for a bit of adventure. This is one of the few places on the island where you can jump off the cliff straight into the clear blue sea — a popular thrill for the brave-hearted. Playa Forti is in a peaceful location and offers a nice contrast to the busier beaches on the island. Perfect if you’re looking to escape the crowds for a while.
