Beaches

Playa Kalki This small cove is popular for snorkeling and diving, and has a roped of area with afloating platform. It is located down steep stone steps from the parking area.Halfway between the parking area and the beach is a shaded terrace with a snack bar and dive shop. From the beach another set of steps leads to the Kura Hulanda Lodge on the bluffs above, which has a restaurant. Entrance to the water is somewhat rocky.

Playa Forti The view from above this beach is right out of a postcard, with the fishing boats and a panorama of the islands western tip. Here you will find pleasantly different coarse brown sand and tiny smooth pebbles but almost no shade. There are several snack bars and a restaurant at the parking area above the beach, with a steep ramp and steps down to thewater.

Grote Knip / Kleine Knip These two beatiful coves are among the islands most popular beaches. Intimate playa kenepa is partly shaded by manchineel trees. The snack bar (which has a tiny restroom) is open on weekends and often plays loud music. Locals like to camp here during school holidays. Larger Playa abou (Big Beach) has several shade pergolas set back from the water and a large snack bar.

Playa Jeremi Visit this narrow, picturesque cove late in the day, perhaps lingering to watch the sun set, when you can fully apprecaite the exceptionally clear water without minding the lack of shade. Uneven steps cut into the rocks lead from the parking area to the beach. No amenities.

Playa Lagun A cluster of fishing boats gives this narrow cove a picturesque air. The water is very calm and shallow near shore, with excellent snorkeling. Children who can barely swim will be able to don a mask and see the fish without going in over their heads. Large shade structures and manchineel trees provide ample shade. A small snack bar is open on the weekend.

Boca Santa Cruz While the mangrove swamp surrounding this wide beach dotted with palm trees clouds the water, creating less than ideal conditions for snorkling, it does attract a lot of birds. Therefore there are excellent bird waching possibilities. A few shade structures are setback from the water and there is a small bar and restaurant (Captain Goodlife Beach Hut) and restrooms.

Cas Abou This beach combines a natural country setting with all the conveniences of a fful service beach. The snorkeling and diving are great. It takes about ten minutes to reach the beach after the main turnoff, at the end of a winding dirt road that meanders through some beautiful countryside, with good bird watching late in the day. Shade is provided by some pergolas (these go quickly on weekends) and a few trees.

Porto Marie PortoMari is a beautiful sandy bay to be found on the private estate of Plantages PortoMari on the west coast. Its white coral sand beach, with clear and calm water, is a true paradise for water lovers, and the unique reef is easily accessible from the shore providing a fascinating snorkel and dive site. There is a diveoperator at the beach. All activities at Playa PortoMari are managed in an environmentally responsible manner.

Daaibooi baai A small bay close to town, this beach has good snorkeling along its rocky ledge and a small fishermens cove. Pergolas provide adequate shade and there is also a snack bar that is open both during the week as on the weekend. To the west of the beach, a small trail leads into the countryside.

Vaersenbaai Serious swimmer, snorkelers and divers will have no problem ignoring the scant sand, rocky enry and lack of shade at this picturesque cove just west of town. Small children will find entrance to the water difficult, but will enjoy the small play area, wading pool (wich is not filled), pier and, if they are good swimmers, the diving platform. Sometimes you can see bright blue and green parrot fish from the pier.

Boka St.Michiel Small boats bob in the bay of this traditional fishing village just west of town. The dive club on the pier has public restrooms and a restaurant. The small beach, also known as Boka Sami, has no shade and little sand, but lovely water, a small fishing pier. There are two simple, good fish restaurants nearby. You can also explore the salt marsh or climb a trail that runs up the hill to the west of the beach.

Blue Bay Blue Bay Beach is a large shady beach just northwest of Willemstad with lots of facilities. It is popular with local families and visitors because of the soft white sand. The sea floor slopes gently from the beach so children enjoy playing here. There are lounge chairs, palm trees, shade umbrellas, a nice bar and restaurant, a watersports center (diving and sea kajaking!) and a bikini shop.

Jan Thiel Lounge on the cement quays beside the large open bay, which has excellent diving and snorkeling. The beach is located in a new upscale residential area east of town. There is some sand, but children enjoy the semi-enclosed wading area that resembles a swimming pool.

Caracasbaai The beach is made of coarse sand and pebbles and is popular for snorkling and diving because its part of the underwaterpark. Also popular with the island residents. There are several small restaurants, there water is usually calm and the admission is free. The nearby Baya Beach Club is not free of charge.

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Beaches