Curaçao offers excellent opportunities for snorkeling and diving in various locations. Around the island, you’ll find numerous coral reefs, coral walls and shipwrecks. One of the most well-known and easily accessible wrecks is the Tugboat, a sunken tugboat located just off the coast of the Caracas Bay peninsula, in Caracasbaai (Caracas Bay). The Tugboat’s shallow depth makes it especially popular with snorkelers. Most other wrecks lie much deeper, making them primarily appealing to divers.
How the Tugboat sank
The tugboat sank in the 1980s, although exactly how it happened remains unclear. Several stories circulate. According to one version, the boat caught fire while towing an oil tanker and sank almost immediately. Another story claims the tugboat was moored at a facility when it was accidentally struck by a large crane during the movement of heavy equipment.
Where exactly is the tugboat located?
Regardless of how it happened, it’s clear that the tugboat sank largely intact and came to rest upright on the seafloor, at a depth of around five meters, just a few meters from the coastline of the Caracas Bay peninsula. Now, decades later, the boat is partially covered in various types of coral. Thanks to its shallow location, it’s an ideal spot for snorkelers to explore the wreck up close. Many other shipwrecks lie deeper in the sea and can only be properly visited by divers.
Rich coral growth
From above, it may look idyllic, but the immediate surroundings of Tugboat are actually quite industrial. The wreck lies in a part of Caracas Bay where you’ll see large installations, storage tanks and mooring posts for ships, giving the area a rather rugged appearance. Still, this location is very suitable for coral growth. The Coral Restoration Foundation Curaçao actively cultivates coral here and the concrete structures around the pier provide a solid surface for corals to attach to. The contrast between the industrial setting and the colorful underwater life might just make Tugboat even more fascinating!
More to see on the Caracas Bay peninsula
There’s much more to discover and do on the Caracas Bay peninsula. The area is popular with walkers and joggers, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. Interested in urbex locations? Be sure to check out the 18th-century Fort Beekenburg and the old quarantine building; both structures are abandoned.
Looking for a walk with a reward? Then climb the Kabrietenberg, a hilltop that offers stunning views over the Spanish Water (Spaanse Water). Along the coast, just north of Tugboat itself, you’ll find Tugboat Beach. From here, it’s easy to snorkel your way to the wreck. The friendly Tugboat Beach Bar is the perfect spot for a drink, lunch or a beach chair.
Industrial surroundings
Keep in mind that this part of Caracas Bay has a rather industrial feel. Large (and often rusty) cargo ships are docked at the pier and many of the nearby buildings are abandoned. Prefer snorkeling in a more natural setting? Then Director’s Bay (Directeursbaai), a little further along the coast, is highly recommended. This quiet beach was once reserved exclusively for the executives of the oil company.
Be sure to visit this side of Curaçao
The Caracas Bay peninsula is a surprisingly charming part of Curaçao to explore. It’s just a few minutes’ drive from the Livingstone Jan Thiel Resort, where I stayed. I visit several times early in the morning, right after sunrise. It really feels like a different, rougher side of the island. While many visitors head north in search of nature and tranquility, this peninsula remains somewhat under the radar. And that’s a shame! Because here, history, nature, walking opportunities, beautiful coastlines and stunning views all come together. You’re also in the right place to encounter various animals that live on Curaçao. It’s a spot you definitely should see if you want to experience Curaçao from a different perspective!
