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 After perfecting your tan and finishing your novel on a sparkling beach, you're ready for more active adventure. Whether it's a mountain-bike challenge, a hike along the island's rugged east coast or a day on the links, Curaçao is ready to test your outdoor skills and astound you with nature's beauty. If the siren call of the turquoise waves rings in your ears, you'll find world-class diving and easily accessible snorkeling just off the many beaches. So buckle up, saddle up, gather your gear and go with the adrenaline flow.
Curaçao sits at a northwest-southeast angle 35 miles off the Venezuelan coast. Its famous sugary sand beaches face the calm waters towards Venezuela, while thundering waves rolling across the Caribbean pound the western coast. This tranquil/turbulent dichotomy creates the craggy wild side of the island that astounds with its rugged, undeveloped beauty. To experience the breathtaking vistas of Curaçao's untamed side, rent a Jeep or mountain bike, join an ATV tour, ride horses or strap on your hiking boots. Tour operators offer packages that combine Jeeps, hiking, horseback riding and exploring caves.
STAYING DRY
 Golfers can take a shot at three golf courses. The championship Blue Bay course proves the most challenging. Experts predict the course will rank among the world's top links one day. Designed by Atlanta's William "Rocky" Rocquemore and opened eight years ago, the 18-hole, par-72 layout is a welcome addition to Curaçao's attractions. (bluebaygolf.com)
Meanwhile, the nine-hole Curaçao Golf and Squash Club, at Emmastad, recently renovated its premises. The Hyatt Regency Curaçao Golf Resort, Spa and Marina opened last year (curacao.hyatt.com). Among its many luxuries, the upscale getaway will boast 18 holes designed by Pete Dye.
GETTING WET
Diving & Snorkeling
 Like sister island Bonaire, Curaçao enjoys a worldwide reputation as a dream destination for divers. Underwater explorers can choose from scores of prime dive and snorkel sites. Several of the finest are on the western side of the island, and many are accessible from shore. That means big savings for divers on a budget. If you have your own equipment, you're all set. There's no need to hire a charter.
Visibility is excellent, often as much as 150 feet, and water temperatures are almost always balmy, from 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. What's to see beneath the waves? Tropical fish in every color of the rainbow teem along Curaçao's magnificent reefs, which are composed of staghorn, elkhorn and other types of brilliant corals. Many of Curaçao's dive sites rank among the best in the Caribbean. Boka Fluit (Whistling Mouth) is a cave that "hisses" when water sluices through it. Divers and snorkelers alike will also enjoy exploring shipwrecks that are more accessible on Curaçao than on other islands.
Two tank dive trips are offered to Klein Curaçao and East Point, where its not unusual to spot sea turtles. Book multi-day packages that save you money (and vacation time). Or try an exhilerating, adrenaline packed adventure heli-diving. Blue Skies Helicopter Tours flies divers to one of Curaçao's extraordinary dive sites, and they jump out as it hovers above the water. Blue Skies now offers heli-diving on Curaçao in partnership with a local dive operator. Divers will experience the thrill of flying in a helicopter while in full dive gear. Blue Skies requires a minimum certification level of open water and recent dive experience, or relevant dive experience. Depending on experience level divers can choose from several dive sites. Tours leave from the Blue Skies Helicopter office at the Motetwerf in Willemstad. Prices start from $250. Group discounts are available.
Get complete details about the Curacao Dive Festival.
 The new Hyatt also offers outdoor adventures and world-class diving by Ocean Encounters, an internationally recognized scuba center with headquarters at Lions Dive & Beach Resort, in the Sea Aquarium and Mambo Beach area, and seven branches across the island. The family-owned operation is a PADI 5-Star IDC Resort and PADI National Geographic Diver center. (oceanencounters.com)
Ocean Encounters' owner, Nolo Ambrosi, serves on the dive task force of the Curaçao Hospitality and Tourism Association, which helps to regulate the dive industry, promote Curaçao as a dive destination, recommend safety standards and promote conservation of the reefs, in conjunction with Reef Care International. Nine dive operators are CHATA members, all fully certified and offering modern safety equipment. (chata.org)
Divers visiting in September and October are especially lucky. They get to witness the annual spawning of the corals, a must-see event for every diver. Coral reefs explode in wild orgies that look like underwater snowstorms. Several species of hard corals, soft corals, sea urchins, worms, brittle stars and sponges release their eggs and sperm. Scuba divers travel from around the world to observe the events, which take place between 8 and 10 p.m. about a week after the full moons.
The latest addition to Curaçao's watersports is the new 50-meter Olympic pool at Lions Dive & Beach Resort. Unique in the Caribbean, it is designed with marble and named after the late American swimming coach Doug Stern. Since the hotel's opening 20 years ago, Lions Dive has been a home for sports lovers. The famous Amstel Curaçao race, with Dutch and international bikers, is organized by the hotel's management. (lionsdive.com)
Near Caracas Bay, a new windsurfing school, Windsurfing Curaçao, rents gear. Rookies and daredevils of all ages meet there to ride dependable north easterly winds. The center organized its first international windsurfing challenge over Easter weekend in 2008 and plans to continue the successful event annually. (windsurfingcuracao.com)
Kiteboarders and surfers head to Sint Joris Bay for lessons. These are fast-growing, very exciting sports — a mix of windsurfing, wakeboarding, surfing and parasailing. Since it's a fairly extreme sport, get lessons before starting.
Deep-Sea Fishing
Anglers the world over consider Curaçao a real catch. With a little luck, you can land marlin, tuna, wahoo, barracuda, dolphin and sailfish, not to mention snappers the size of small islands. Willemstad boasts charter-fishing boats aplenty, manned by expert crewmembers who are fluent in English. But you don't need a boat to fish at many spots. It's sometimes possible to pull in a 35-pound snook from shore, or even a tarpon that tops the scales at 150 pounds. In March, the Curaçao Yacht Club sponsors the Annual International Blue Marlin Release Tournament.
 For those who would rather stay relatively dry on the water, myriad sailboats are for rent at Spanish Waters. If sailors want to take the controls themselves, Curaçao Actief offers pedal boating, sea kayaking, catamaran sailing tours and lessons, windsurfing, water skiing, wakeboarding and knee boarding (curacao-actief.com). If you prefer to relax while an experienced captain guides the ship, enjoy sailing on the tall ship Insulinde. (insulinde.com)
HIGH AND LOWS
Plan your outing to include nature's best beyond the beaches. Visit the 4,000-acre Christoffel National Park, with miles of Jeep and mountain bike tracks and hiking trails that range from 20-minute strolls to four-hour treks. Tighten you laces and hike to the top of 1,240-foot-high Mt. Christoffel, the island's highest point. Concessions offer Jeep tours, horseback riding, guided walks and tours of an old plantation within the park. Trails connect to the adjacent Shete Boka National Park, with picturesque bays, beaches and cliffs. The park preserves nesting beaches for hawksbill and green sea turtles. Enter at Boka Tabla, a dramatic region where the surf crashes over miles of sea cliffs and carves deep caves. Hike and bike trails lead through stunning desert-seaside scenery.
 After the view from the top, see the underside of the island at Hato Caves. The limestone caverns were carved from a coral reef and exposed as the island was uplifted above sea level. Hourly guided tours lead down a lighted path past bizarre formations of flowstone, stalactites and stalagmites. Petroglyph images on the walls and burial sites indicate that Amerindian Arawaks used the caves as far back as 1,500 years ago.
After seeing the lush vegetation around the resorts and the stark native desert flora of the wild side, visit the Herbal Garden to learn how locals traditionally used plants in their everyday lives. Located in a suburb of Willemstad, the gardens grow plants used for Caribbean folk medicine and herbal remedies. The reconstructed rural settlement includes a shop that sells beverages made from aloe, ginger, lemon, medicinal wine, herbal tea and fruit juices. Natural perfumes and herbal potpourri made from the garden's harvest are also available.
MAKING TRACKS
 Jeep Safari
To explore off pavement, join a caravan or choose a chauffeured safari with lunch included. Tours visit sea caves, the wave-sculpted west coast and isolated coves for a kayak break. Stops include Christoffel National Park with time for a hike to examine the native flora and fauna. Independent explorers can drive their own rentals and discover the many surprises on the two-track roads that lead off the beaten path. Maps direct the way to historic plantation houses, flamingo colonies, remote beaches, mangrove forests, the Aloe Vera Plantation and the Ostrich Farm. Be sure to plan a lunch stop at Jaanchie's, a roadhouse renowned for delicious seafood dishes prepared in the local style.
 Mountain Bike
With 10 marked trails from one end of the island to the other, you won't have to pedal far to find an exciting route. Explore the network of two-track roads that crisscross the east side of Curaçao and discover a beauty most visitors miss. Cruise along the coastline and picnic in an isolated cove. Test the trails in Christoffel National Park and pedal to Boka Tabla where you can climb into a cave and watch the waves crash through the seaward opening. Explore the cliff-side trails, coves and lighthouse in Watamula National Park at Westpunt and return to Kalki Beach for a dip and dinner. In 2006, Curaçao hosted the World Cup mountain bike races, and the courses remain open for visitors. Bike rentals, about US$20/day, include helmets, pump, water bottle and map.
Hiking
Pick one of the 17 hiking trails described in the "Curaçao Hiking Guide" and personally experience Curaçao's dramatic scenery and diverse flora and fauna. Far from the crowded tourist centers, you and the iguanas will own vast stretches of wave-pounded coastline, beautiful beaches, waterspouts and blowholes, caves and remote coves. Guided hikes lead through national parks, preserves, mangrove forests and historical sites.
 Horseback Riding
Novice and expert equestrians alike are sure to enjoy the beauty of the island from the saddle. Several ranches on the island provide guided tours.
Jogging
Koredo, a one and a half mile seaside track north of Willemstad, is the perfect spot for a morning or evening run. You'll also find tracks and paths at Rif Recreation Area and at some of the larger hotels. In addition, you'll find several walking trails at Christoffel National Park. Many tour operators, including Actief Curaçao, offer tours and maps for walking, hiking and mountain biking.
Tennis
Curaçao offers tennis at a couple of sporting clubs, and there are pro-quality courts at many of the main hotels. A hot and heavy tennis match is a great way to work up an appetite for a tasty island dinner—or work off the calories resulting from one!
Spectator sports
Don't expect all-star games, half-time shows or even tailgate parties, but you can catch an exciting soccer match or baseball game at several stadiums around the island. Baseball in particular is well loved in Curaçao. The island, in fact, has turned out several big-time baseball stars, including Hensley Meulens (Arizona Diamondbacks); Ralph Milliard (Florida Marlins); Andruw Jones (Atlanta Braves) and Randall Simon (Pittsburgh Pirates). Curaçao also won the Little League World Series Championship in 2004.
SPORT STARS OF CURAÇAO
Recent successes by local athletes have focused new attention on the sportsmen of Curaçao. Sprinter Churandy Martina gained fame for his performance in the men's 200 meters finals during the Beijing Olympic Games, finishing second. Although the silver medal slipped away due to a disqualification, he became a role model on the island nonetheless.
With lots of talent here, young athletes dare to dream big once again because of the trail Martina blazed. After the Olympics, he continued his record-breaking performances at the FBK Games in the Netherlands. He clocked a record 9.97 in the 100 meters — a very exciting race and the best time ever in the Dutch grand prix event.
Curaçao sportsmen also excel in baseball. For many years, Andruw Jones has been a big name in the U.S. majors, first playing for the Atlanta Braves and now for the Texas Rangers. His countryman Jair Jurrjens has been a starting pitcher for the Atlanta Braves since 2007. In 2008, he was named National League rookie of the month in June. He was also voted National League Pitcher of the Month for September 2009. On September 11, 2009 Jurrjens tossed a career-high 8.0 scoreless innings.
For organized events and spectator sports, tournaments and festival dates, please see Events.
Shopping: Curaçao has been called a shopper's paradise — and for good reason. In Willemstad, there are more than 200 shops, stores and boutiques. If you can't find what you're looking for here, you may not find it anywhere in the Caribbean.
Get a complete list of activities organizers.
View Curacao's popular attractions in 360 degree images, here.
Read unbiased opinions about Curaçao activities at TripAdvisor.
 Blue Bay Golf & Beach Resort
Enjoy a family day at Blue Bay Golf & Beach Resort, situated on an 18-hole championship golf course with spectacular holes right on the sea and endless recreational possibilities. Or visit our website for the opportunity to make Blue Bay your home, whether it be for vacation or permanent living.
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Landhuis Blauw z/n
Willemstad, Curaçao
Tel: 868-1755
Fax: 869-0212
E-mail: info@bluebaygolf.com
Web: www.bluebaygolf.com
Cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express
Hours: 7 a.m.-7 p.m., 365 days per year
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 Atlantis Adventures
Explore the wonders of the Caribbean Sea in the Seaworld Explorer underwater observatory. The vessel, which was originally used for research on Australia's Great Barrier Reef, remains above sea level at all times while its hull, 5 feet below the surface, provides spectacular viewing of the coral reef and the abundant sea life.
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John F. Kennedy Blvd. (Hilton Hotel)
Tel: 5999 461-0011
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 Dolphin Academy
Indulge your curiosity!! Enjoy our six interactive programs for all ages. Join the dolphins in their natural lagoon to pet, kiss, swim or free dive with them. Work side by side with our trainers in our courses or follow the dolphins to the open sea for a unique dive experience. Visit the Dolphin Academy and meet the mammal behind the myth!
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At the Sea Aquarium Bapor Kibra z/n (nearby Mambo Beach)
Tel: 5999 465 8900
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 Substation Curacao
Submerge into the most unique underwater expedition of your life with Substation Curaçao, a deep-diving, one-atmosphere submersible. Along with a great variety of sea life, you will marvel at beautiful shipwrecks and anchors in some of the clearest waters in the world. Peering through the large acrylic dome at astonishing underwater scenery rarely encountered by humans is truly spectacular.
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Bapor Kibra z/n
Next to the Curaçao Sea Aquarium
Tel: 465-2051; 663-8204
Web: www.substationcuracao.com
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 Breezes Curaçao Resort, Spa and Casino
A super-inclusive experience where you can enjoy land and water sports. Dining options ranging from Japanese to the never-ending Jimmy's Buffet. Premium-brand drinks at all bars and the Hurricane Disco. Day and night passes available. Get pampered at the Blue Mahoe Spa, offering treatments at reasonable charges. Sauna and steam room included. Also, we are pleased to announce a brand-new Kids' Club.
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Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd. #78
Tel: 736-7888
Fax: 461-4003
E-mail: BZCSales@Superclubs.com
Web: www.superclubs.com
Cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club
Hours: 24 hours
Cuisine: International, Italian, Japanese
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