Curacao - beaches and snorkling
 

We have decided to stay at the Hotel Kura Hulanda but still want to enjoy the Curacao beaches. We especially want to do some snorkling. We need some advice on which beaches to go to and where to get equipment - or should we bring our own. Should we rent a car, take taxis or the hotel's bus?
Thanks.

Bring your own if you can, it's so much easier. Definitely rent a car -- driving is easy as the roads are decent and the driving's on the right like in the US. There are lots of beaches on the West End, I am sure the concierge can help you, we were given a map at the Marriott, some of the facilities have beach chairs and a beach chair and some have an entrance charge, I think Playa Knip ? was one good one we visited.

Meant to say "beach chairs and a beach bar"

I'd bring my own gear, but that's just me.

Yes rent a car. It's a big island.

You can snorkel at Playa PortoMari. That's the beach with an entrance fee. 2 years ago, it was $2 or $4/adult. I can't quite remember but it really wasn't much. There's a restaurant on site.
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...r/360984f3.jpg

Not sure how the snorkeling is at Knip Beach but here's a picture of it:
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...r/ecbdd16a.jpg

Enjoy your trip.

The West End has 6-7 bays with good to very good snorkelimg around the outer boulders that form each bay. Klein Knip is one of the better ones but Beach #1 Cruz Bay with a modest snorkel tour operation is really enjoyable. It is Captain Good Life, He takes you in a power boat to 3-4 spots for $12-$15 per person. He leaves you and omes back. We have visited him on all 3 visits over the past 4 years. See my posts under snorkeling & Curacao.
Whilehe has a few lif vests we bring our own inflatable vests and mask and flippers. He also prepares a great lunch for ~$15 including 1 oe 2 beers. He is a real character.

This might be too isolated or remote for some, but we enjoyed snorkeling at Playa Manzalino. It's past Landhuis San Juan, down a dirt road and you pay a small entrance fee when you reach the house. There are no facilities. Even if you don't end up snorkeling here, it is an interesting excursion. If I remember correctly, there were 3 beaches here, 2 of which were suitable for snorkeling.

Playa Manzalino I second also. We went there in 2006 along with the other locations I referenced. It was quite good.

We went to Playa Lagun and Porto Marie. Porto Marie had nice chairs and restaurant and decent snorkeling. Very big area. Playa Lagun had awesome snorkeling in a small cove. It has a little restaurant at the top of the hill where we had a lunch for 4 for $20 U.S. There is a dive shop co-located with the restaurant. The owners are dutch. There was one other couple there while we were there. Again, snorkeling was great.

I also recommend Playa Portomarie, and Knip. Snorkeling was also quite good at Jan Thiel, and it's a nice beach, with restaurant and bar.
For trips further out, go to Ocean Encounters, next to Seaquarium.
Kura Hulanda has a resort at Westpunt, and would be able to provide transportation there. Having a car would be much better though. And taking a taxi to a place like Klein Knip is not convenient; too far, and it would be hard to find another taxi once you're there.

You really must have a car to go to the West End for the best snorkeling. You will want a car for 4 days if you staying for 7 nights.
The snorkeling at Sea Aquarium is just o.k. We staed at the Sea aquarium Resort, which we liked but took the 1 hour trip from there to the West End 3 times each of our 3 visits over the past 5 years. From Kura the West End is 45-50 minutes. Enjoy.