6 Best Sights in Curaçao

Set beneath a historic plantation site, you'll find calm, clear water and a long stretch of white sand and full facilities on this beach. A decent bar and restaurant, well-kept showers, changing facilities, and restrooms are all on-site; a nature trail is nearby. The double coral reef (explore one, swim past it, explore another) is a special feature that makes this spot popular with snorkelers, and equipment rental is available on-site. It's also known as home for visiting wild pigs. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking; showers; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; swimming; walking.

This white-sand gem has the brightest blue water in Curaçao, a treat for swimmers, snorkelers, and sunbathers alike. Full services include a beach bar and restaurant, lockers, changing rooms on-site, and even full massages surf-side are available. It can become crowded on weekends, especially Sunday, when local families descend in droves. You can rent beach chairs, paddleboats, kayaks, and snorkeling and diving gear. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: partiers; snorkeling; swimming.

By day the beach at Vaersenbaai—better known as \"Kokomo\" after its on-site restaurant-bar—is a quiet, family-friendly, public beach with lots of free lounges, shady spots, and facilities (including a dive operator). But once the sun starts to set, it's another story. This beach is renowned for its live music and partiers; its Tuesday through Saturday happy hours featuring live music, cocktails, and tapas; and its Sunday happy hours with DJ dance parties. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free); toilets. Best for: partiers; snorkeling; swimming.

No snack bar, no dive shop, no facilities, no fee—in fact, there's nothing but sheer natural beauty. Though the beach is sandy, there are rocky patches, so barefoot visitors should exercise care. There are a few chairs and shade umbrellas for rent and daredevils like to jump off the cliffs. Development is planned for this beach, so have a look before it's too late. Amenities: none. Best for: picnics, snorkeling; solitude; swimming.

This tiny beach is at the farthest western tip of the island. Sunbathers may find the narrow and rocky beach less than ideal and there is a long steep staircase down to the sand, but snorkeling and diving is great. Amenities: food and drink; parking; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; solitude; swimming.

Two protected coves offer crystal-clear turquoise waters. Big (Groot) Knip, also known as Playa Kenepa, is an expanse of alluring white sand, perfect for swimming and snorkeling. You can rent beach chairs and hang out under the palapas (thatch-roof shelters) or cool off with ice cream at the snack bar. This spot is also famous for cliff jumping by locals and adventurous visitors. There are restrooms here but no showers. It's particularly crowded on Sunday and school holidays. Just up the road, also in a protected cove, sister beach Little (Klein) Knip is a charmer, too, with picnic tables and palapas. There's no fee for these beaches. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; sunrise; sunset; swimming.