Vacation Paradise in Natural Beauty…
Warning: The beach photos in this article are ridiculous. You may bonk your head against the screen whilst impulsively attempting to dive into the images.
Where is Curaçao, and What are the ABC Islands?
Curaçao is a petite island in the “ABC Islands” of the Caribbean (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao) that vacationers are just starting to discover, and it boasts some of the most beautiful beaches I’ve seen in my life.
Let’s tour three of the best Curaçao beaches, and you pick which you’d most enjoy! I’ve put them in reverse order of my own favorites…
#3 of Curacao Beaches: Playa Porto Mari
Playa Porto Mari was the first of SEVEN beaches I toured on my second day in Curaçao.
Yes, Curaçao is only 171 square miles, meaning you can drive around the entire island, stopping to swim at half a dozen shore spots, in just half a day. (For this reason, renting a car is a great idea for a Curaçao vacation.)
Porto Mari is about 45 minutes north of Willemstad (home to the houses that look like cakes), on the west side of the island.
My favorite part of this beach were the candy-colored beach chairs, sprawled like a rainbow road between the turquoise sea and emerald hills.
Snorkeling and Diving in Curacao Beaches
Like many of Curaçao’s beaches, snorkeling and diving are a win at Playa Porti Mari, but you can also just walk out onto the pier and stare, agape, at the shimmering aqua expanse, ringed in sapphire at the horizon, past the reefs. Doesn’t that man on the raft, below, look like he’s on a magic carpet, soaring through the sky?
Being a Bostonian who loves trees, but rarely sees those of the palm variety, I became entranced in Curaçao by the shadows of palm trees. There’s something regal about them, as though angels are fanning you with giant feathers! Gaze below, and imagine the warmth of reclining on that hot pink beach chaise…
Oh sorry — I just dozed off into a sweet reverie of wave sounds and swishing palms! Ahem. Onward with our tour.
The next beach is in many ways my personal favorite, because it felt so hidden, intimate, and unlike any beach I’ve seen before, or imagined. (Cacti?!) The name of this place is…
#2 of Curacao Beaches: Playa Jeremi
Playa Jeremi! Even the name is sweet, right? “Hi, my name is Jeremi the Beach, and I have spiky cactus hair!”
I particularly love that scarlet red trash can perched on the cliff above the beach. Praise to the person who correctly concluded that the color is just the lipstick kiss that Jeremi needed on his rocky cheek!
Playa Jeremi personifies the spirit of Dushi: the official catch-phase of Curaçao.
Dushi means “sweet” in the sense of lovely, delightful, charming… the best part of humanity. There is something about the scraggly sharpness of the cacti paired with the otherworldly-perfect blue of the ocean at Jeremi that is Dushi, incarnate.
When I visited, mid-day, the beach was almost empty. Gazing down the cliff, however, I spotted two shining figures flitting around the waves. It was a father teaching his young daughter to swim! Can you see their glistening heads poking from behind the cacti arms, below?
#1 of Curacao Beaches: Kenepa Grandi
Kenepa Grandi, or Big Knip, was the crown jewel of my Curaçao beach investigation, and this crown jewel sits, fittingly, towards the “head” of the island, on the northwest tip, about an hour north of Willemstad.
As I confessed in my article about why Curaçao was so great for travel, I actually started crying at the first glimpse of Kenepa Grandi, it is that beautiful. While Playa Jeremi is quietly gorgeous, Kenepa Grandi is such an expanse of perfect turquoise water that it knocks the wind out of one’s chest.
So by now, you’ve probably figured out why the sweet, orange-flavored liqueur called “Blue Curaçao” is colored that luminous turquoise… it’s the shockingly accurate color of the island’s ocean beaches!
When I visited, though there were quite a few people on Kenepa Grandi beach — swimming and snorkeling in the water, and trotting around the overlook cliff (from which I took these photos) — the beach is so wide that it didn’t feel crowded.
My tears of joy fell even faster, watching this local father and son’s bonding talk as they gestured out to horizon. What might they have been discussing?
Are Curacao Beaches the Best in the ABC Islands?
Indeed, Curaçao beaches are some of the most beautiful in the world… and this post doesn’t even touch on the architecturally mind-boggling “infinity beach” featured in my previous article! Now I’m aching to know: Which of these three do you like best? Do share!
I was a guest of the Curaçao Tourist Board, but all opinions and knobby knees are my own.
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Peter says
Such a beautiful color! I would like to know what times of the year the water is warm and when it’s too cold. Here in Florida the water is too cold some months.
Lillie Marshall says
Thanks for your question, Peter. It’s warm all year round, in and out of the water!
Ravi says
Wow ! beautiful pics. You have inspired me to travel.
Jessica Lima says
I enjoyed reading it and certainly your research and effort is worth laudable. Will keep in mind the fantastic points you listed on my next holiday.
Suzanne Fluhr says
The color on the last beach is simply stunning, so I’ll go with that one. I really like Curacao. More to see than just the beaches—not that there’s anything wrong with the beaches!
Lillie says
Agreed — the island has so much else to offer, too!
Micayla says
This place looks beautiful! I would love to travel here sometime.
Christl says
Aww What a sweet “ Dushi” article of our beaches. By the looks of it, you had a total blast! My favorite beach on Curacao is Cas Abou beach. You need to pay an entrance fee of Fl 10 though, and the road to the beach is not paved. As you drive the rocky road for about a mile, it will open up to a beautiful panoramic view of the beach. When we go, we stay all day. At the end of the day, it’s always hard to get my daughters to leave the beach to go home. It’s part of the island life with kids. Tee hee!
Other honorable mentions is Lagun, and Kleine Knip on the west side. Closer to town, Jan Thiel beach, and Mambo Beach.
If you’ve not visit Cas Abou beach, it’ll give a great excuse to go back here?
Happy Travels!
Lillie says
Ooo, what fabulous suggestions, Christl! Thank you for taking the time to share them! I’ll truly just have to go back now to investigate…
Christl says
Lilie check it out! Velas “anitique ships” Curacao 2018. If you are lucky to be there this July., it will be quite a site to see! You are always welcome back my dearest.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MAhTrGC-YFw
Lillie says
So great!
Gwendolyn says
This place looks like it would be so fun to be on! I would love to be shaded by those beautiful palm trees and walk on the warm sand of those beaches!
Dianne says
We were in Curacao years ago and the thing I remember most was how incredible the beaches were and the crystal clear water! Your post makes me want to plan another trip.
Nancy says
Ok, I need to go and drive around Curacao and visit all these beaches! This has suddenly become my must-visit Caribbean island. Thanks for the post and lovely photos.
Diana Rowe says
I visited Curacao many years ago and I agree there is just something about this island that is so enchanting — and those turquoise waters and beaches and just seal the deal. Time to visit again!
Ryan says
I’d love to go there. It looks amazing!
Enrique says
My favorite beach is definitely Kenepa Grandi. The water looks so crisp and clear, and the beach looks very relaxing and spread out. It’s like you’re all around nature on that beach, taking in the wonderful sights of the blue ocean and feathered palm trees. I can agree with anyone that thinks it’s beautiful, because everything there just captures the beauty of a vacation! I would really want to go here one day. It seems like a great place for relaxing and cooling off in the ocean!
Sofia says
I LOVE Kenepa Grandi because of the beautiful blue beaches that manage to look crystal clear. Just how big and pretty it looked made it my favorite.
Kiko says
My favorite beach is Kenepa Grandi because it has beautiful views. The turquoise water and the wind that goes against you just makes it feel perfect.
Jeffery says
My favorite beach is Kenepa Grandi because of the beautiful views. The water in this beach looks so clear and so blue that it is absolutely breath taking. It makes me want to sit there all day and just gaze off into the view and just relax and not think about anything else that’s happening.
Lillie says
Agreed! I almost didn’t want to swim because I just wanted to stare at the water from the hill above!
Samky says
I love Playa Jeremi because it’s so beautiful. I love it because it has cacti, and cacti is my favorite plant.
Lillie says
So spiky! So delightful!
Steph says
Playa Jeremi is downright SCANDALOUS (and has my vote for the best of the three).
Lillie says
Hah! I’m with you!