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Just Beachy
Quiet or adventurous, find your perfect beach in Curaçao
By Jennifer van der Kwast
 Curaçao’s signature, startling blue color doesn’t exist solely in bottles lining the shelves of souvenir shops. The island may be famous for its blue liqueur, but its beaches are even more intoxicating. And there’s a flavor to suit all tastes. Sample all the varieties the Caribbean Sea has to offer in Curaçao, from the long stretches of white-sand shores toward the east, to the dramatically rugged northern coastline, to the secluded cove beaches on the western tip. Families flock to the popular, full-service complexes of Sea Aquarium Beach and Jan Thiel, where full days of sunbathing can be further enhanced with boutique shopping, diving excursions and even a pick-up game of beach volleyball. Tasty snack bars and oceanfront restaurants offer ample dining options at both locations.
There are beaches for watersport fans, too. Cruise the serene Spanish Water Lagoon by renting either a kayak, motorboat or sailboat from Pro-Sail Curaçao at Brakkeput Ariba 1. Sailing instruction and courses are also available. Surfers and more intrepid thrill-seekers can hit the waves at rough-and-tumble Playa Kanoa on the north coast. If you’d rather watch than ride, you can enjoy views of the rocky, wave-battered cliffs from the restaurant above the beach.
Exploring the many, little hidden inlets of Banda Abao can be a richly-rewarding experience. The two highlights of this area are Porto Marie and Cas Abao. At Porto Marie, snorkelers can follow the Reefball Snorkel Trail, which is teeming with exotic marine life. Above ground, hikers can tackle the Seru Mateo Trail and spot massive, prehistoric iguanas and pelicans along the way. While hiking and snorkeling can also be enjoyed at Cas Abao, this self-protected bay is more famous for activities such as banana boat rides, a water trampoline and blissfully indulgent beach massages.
 Delve even further into rustic Westpunt to discover more unique beach finds, such as Grote Knip and its smaller, more intimate sister, Klein Knip. Both offer beach-going in its purest form: fewer amenities and more impressive and uninterrupted views of the crystal-clear ocean. For a full, satisfying beach day, bring a cooler with lunch and refreshments and pick up a bag of ice at Daniel Soda Fountain along the way.
For truly remarkable underwater gems, don’t overlook Playa Kalki at the Kurá Hulanda Lodge, home to the top-rated “Alice in Wonderland” reef. Or better yet, book a boat ride off the island to uninhabited Klein Curaçao, where you might even be treated to the rare sight of a family of sea turtles just off the shore!
Get a map of Curaçao's beaches.
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