What to do on Curaçao: the best activities and tips
April 24, 2025
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Want to visit the most beautiful beaches of Curaçao? Then there is one special place you should not miss, and that is of course Klein Curaçao. The narrow uninhabited island is located about 10 kilometers off the coast of Curaçao. It is a barren and rocky island where you can walk on snow-white beaches and swim in incredibly clear seawater. There are several organizations where you can book a day trip to Klein Curaçao. In this article you can read all about a Klein Curaçao excursion: how to get there, what you can do and our experiences with different providers.
A day trip to Klein Curaçao: a pearl in the Caribbean Sea
The just three-square-kilometer island is the little brother of Curaçao. Just as paradisiacal, only with almost no amenities. Klein Curaçao is a tropical island in the middle of the Caribbean Sea, but don't expect an island full of palm trees and coconuts. For the island is unspoiled, rocky and in some parts even rugged. Except for some shacks along the shoreline, the only construction on the island is the dilapidated lighthouse. There are some hiking trails to admire the famous sights, the lighthouse and shipwrecks, but that's about it. A day trip to Klein Curaçao is therefore often about relaxing on the white sandy beaches, swimming in the sea and snorkeling (or diving) in search of turtles.
Why you should not miss a day trip to Klein Curaçao
Is Klein Curaçao worth it? Absolutely! A day trip to Klein Curaçao is all about ultimate relaxation: snow-white beaches, azure blue sea and the chance to swim with sea turtles. Although the island is small and there are few facilities, that is its charm. You really are away from the world here. No hustle and bustle. Only sun, sea and rest.
For us, a visit to Klein Curaçao was one of the absolute highlights of our vacation on Curaçao. In fact, we have been there twice now and would without a doubt go again. Not only because the beaches of Klein Curaçao belong to the most beautiful beaches of Curaçao, but mostly because of the feeling of complete escape from the daily hectic.
Discover: These are the most beautiful beaches in Curaçao
Are you looking for the most beautiful beaches in Curaçao? Then there are some pearls you should not miss. Book a rental car and go exploring with our tips!
How to get to Klein Curaçao? All about the boat trip from Curaçao to Klein Curaçao
The only way to get to Klein Curaçao is by boat, and that is immediately an adventure in itself. Many travelers dread the crossing, and we understand that. During the outward journey you usually sail into the wind, which can cause big waves and thus the risk of seasickness. Fortunately, the weather varies each day, and it is often not too bad. Do you suffer from seasickness easily? Then a good preparation is good!
Tips against seasickness during the boat trip to Klein Curaçao:
Before departure, take a travel tablet (available in the Netherlands and at a local pharmacy in Curaçao, such as Botika Sorsaka).
Eat lightly in the morning: avoid fatty foods and do not overeat.
Find a spot on the boat where you can sit and keep your gaze focused on the horizon.
More tips for seasickness? Then also read our article with helpful tips for preventing motion sickness.
What to do on Klein Curaçao: the best activities and must do's
Although Klein Curaçao is mostly known as the place to relax, surprisingly there are also a number of things to do on the island. From snorkeling to exploring an iconic lighthouse, these are the best activities you can do (independently) during your day trip to Klein Curaçao.
1. Go snorkeling on Klein Curaçao
Once you arrive at Klein Curaçao you really only want one thing: to enter the crystal clear water! Don't forget your snorkel! Often you can borrow one from the organization with which you make the boat trip. Off the coast of Klein Curaçao you can snorkel among colorful fish and you have a good chance of spotting sea turtles.
What makes snorkeling here so special is that the underwater world is pristine. Conditions are ideal, so fish and turtles are often larger here than in other places around Curaçao. Klein Curaçao is even a breeding ground for several species of sea turtles.
Note: admire these beautiful animals from an appropriate distance. Never touch them, our bacteria can be harmful to their health. Animal welfare comes first!
Would you like to discover more beautiful snorkeling spots after your visit to Klein Curaçao? Then also read our article about Curacao snorkeling: packed with tips and favorite spots on the main island.
2. Visit the iconic Klein Curaçao lighthouse
Even before you set foot on land, you will see it: the dilapidated lighthouse of Klein Curaçao. It is the eyecatcher of the island. In the middle of the island, this ruinous lighthouse towers above the flat landscape. Despite its dilapidated state, it is still active. Dowing to the fact that the island is flat, Klein Curaçao is not easy for boaters to see, so the lighthouse ensures that boats sail around the island.
Originally built in 1850, the lighthouse was destroyed several times by storms. It was rebuilt in 1877 and again in 1933, but by now the tower is again in poor condition. There are plans to restore it, although that process seems to be slow.
From the beach it is about a 10-minute walk to the lighthouse. You can walk through the different areas but be careful where you walk. Curious about a panoramic view of Klein Curaçao? Then climb the tower from where you will have a beautiful view of the island and the surrounding Caribbean Sea.
3. Admire the shipwrecks on Klein Curaçao
Did you know that there are several shipwrecks on Klein Curaçao? Because the island is completely flat, it used to be frequently overlooked by ships. This caused several boats to get stranded on the rocky coast. Two of these wrecks were never removed and you can still admire them with your own eyes.
About a 5-minute walk from the lighthouse you will find the most famous: the rusty wreck of the Maria Bianca Guidesman, an oil tanker that ran aground on the island in the 1980s. A little further away is a smaller wreck of a French sailing ship, which ran aground in 2017. Those on board fortunately got away unscathed, but the ship itself was left in a sad state.
The shipwrecks are an impressive sight against the rugged coastal landscape of Klein Curaçao. Definitely worth a walk and some photos.
With which organization to Klein Curaçao?
If you want to make an excursion to Klein Curaçao, you have several options. But what is the best boat trip to Klein Curaçao? That depends on your wishes! Some providers have their own beach club on the island, which means you can expect additional facilities such as shaded areas, restrooms and lunch service. Other organizations dock on an open beach, which in turn offers a more adventurous experience. The best-known providers are:
Mermaid Boat Trips (private beach club on Klein Curaçao)
Miss Ann Boat Trips (own beach club on Klein Curaçao)
Blue Finn Charters (no private beach club on Klein Curaçao)
Irie Tours (no private beach club on Klein Curaçao)
We have been to Klein Curaçao once with Mermaid Boat Trips and once with Miss Ann Boat Trips, and we can recommend both organizations. For a complete list of providers you can take a look at Curacao Trips. Ideal for comparing multiple boat trips to Klein Curaçao!
Personal review: our experience with Mermaid Boat Trips
The first time we visited Klein Curaçao, we went with Mermaid Boat Trips and that was an instant hit. Everything was well organized and the staff was incredibly friendly. We left early in the morning, at 6:45 a.m., from the port at Spanish Water. This is about a 15-minute drive from Mambo Beach and less than 10 minutes from Jan Thiel. Don't have a rental car? No problem. Mermaid offers a pick-up and return service. For resorts nearby, this is free; for accommodations further away, you pay a small surcharge.
The boat trip to Klein Curaçao takes about 1.5 hours. On board you can get coffee, tea and water, and on arrival at the island a simple but good breakfast is waiting for you in the beach club, with for example cheese rolls, sausage rolls and currant buns. During the day you can use an open bar with water, soft drinks, orange juice, coffee and tea. Beer and rum are available for a fee.
Lunch is one of the highlights: freshly prepared salads, tropical fruits and well-stocked barbecue platters of meat. Also included in the price are the use of snorkeling gear, sun beds and toilet at the beach club. All in all, this makes Mermaid Boat Trips a very relaxing and comfortable choice.
In 2025, the price for the boat tour with Mermaid Boat Trips is €130 per person. For children up to 12 years old, the price is €65, and children up to 3 years old can go for free.
Personal review: our experience with Miss Ann Boat Trips
For our second day trip to Klein Curaçao, we opted for Miss Ann Boat Trips, and once again we had a fantastic day. This organization is known for its good service, friendly crew and comfortable facilities, both on board and on the island itself.
On Saturday morning we left around 9:30 a.m. from the harbor at Santa Barbara Beach, near the Sandals resort. Compared to Mermaid Boat Trips, Miss Ann's boat is just a bit more luxurious and faster: the crossing to Klein Curaçao takes about 1 hour. Don't have a rental car? Then you can use the pick-up and drop-off service. The price depends on the location of your accommodation.
Once on the island, you can relax at Miss Ann's own beach club. Here you will have free use of facilities such as sun beds, umbrellas and snorkeling gear. During the day, food, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages are included. Traveling on a Saturday? Then there is a special premium package, which also includes alcoholic beverages.
In 2025, the starting price for the boat tour with Miss Ann Boat Trips is €130 per person. On weekends, you pay €149. For children up to 12 years old, the price is €65, and children up to 3 years old can go for free.
More tips for an unforgettable vacation to Curacao
A day trip to Klein Curaçao is definitely a highlight of your trip, but there is so much more to discover on the island. Are you curious about the most beautiful beaches, fun attractions and fine accommodations? Take a look at our complete article on Curacao full of tips and inspiration.
Want to know what to do in Curacao? Or just Where best to stay? We are of course happy to help you with that too!
Lois Weeterings
A dreamer and adventure seeker, always on the lookout for new experiences. But also a hard worker with a thousand ideas racing through my mind. As a personal travel consultant and travel blogger, I share my passion for faraway destinations, thrilling adventures, and winter sports. With deep knowledge of places like Namibia, Colombia, the ABC Islands, and the Middle East, I’m here to help you craft a trip you’ll never forget. Through my personal stories and expert tips, I aim to inspire you to explore the world your way. Always with my camera in hand, I’m determined to capture every magical moment and share it with you.
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