10 Best Sights in Curaçao

This protected nature preserve right downtown mere steps from the cruise terminal is run by CARMABI, the island's official nature alliance. You're welcome to wander the vast expanse of long wooden walkways over the waters on your own (there's a tall wooden lookout tower for excellent views), but you'll get more from the park's guided tour; there's a choice of walking or sea kayak tours with informative guides that will help you appreciate the vital importance of keeping mangrove areas thriving for a healthy ecosystem. You'll also learn about the types of wildlife that live here and why their lives depend on the preservation of these essential natural areas.

Located in Sea Aquarium Park—along with the independently operated Animal Encounters, Dolphin Academy, and Ocean Lens underwater observatory (extra fees)—the island's original and largest marine attraction is entertaining and educational for all ages. General admission allows access to more than 40 saltwater tanks full of sea life, as well as interactive experiences like shark, lobster, and flamingo feeding, dolphin training demonstrations, and entrance to the semi-submarine underwater observatory. The massive Queen Conch Hatchery is an important marine life conservation project as it operates as a working nursery focusing on restoring the dwindling conch population in the Caribbean. Refreshments and a souvenir shop are also available on-site.

The Dolphin Academy—in the same location as but run independently from the Curaçao Sea Aquarium and Animal Encounters—specializes in up-close interactions with its friendly, ever-smiling, namesake mammals. The trainers are extremely professional and knowledgeable, and the well-cared-for dolphins thrive in a spacious, natural, saltwater lagoon. Options include shallow-water encounters or swims, free-dive or snorkeling sessions, and lagoon or open-water scuba dives (with Ocean Encounter dive operators). There are also special packages for stays at the nearby Dolphin Suites hotel complex, which is well-equipped for people with disabilities.

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.

This museum's hands-on, interactive, and multisensory exhibits—indoors and out—cover several educational themes, including nature, language, culture, and arts. Special seasonal events are held throughout the year.  School groups often visit in the mornings, so plan your visit postlunch for better access to the experiences. Adults must be accompanied by a child.

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.

You'll find this wet and wild waterpark between the towns of St. Willibrordus and Julianadorp on the west end of the island. It's a massive water circuit of pools, and slides, and water rides that are the heart of the Kunuku Aqua Resort, a sprawling community of all-inclusive stays. The water park has become a family-fun day trip destination for locals and visitors alike since they offer day passes and the admission price includes tokens for food and drink on site. 

Though ostriches are not native to Curaçao, the island is home to one of the largest ostrich farms outside of Africa. Guided safari tours, where you'll learn about the bird's development from egg to maturity, depart every hour. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the chance to hold an egg, stroke a day-old chick, and sit atop an ostrich for a memorable photo. A combo safari and tour of the farm, which includes lunch or dinner, is also available, as are quad tours that cover more of the countryside. The Special African Nights package includes a visit to the aloe farm, ostrich facility tour, and three-course dinner with pickup and drop-off at your hotel. The souvenir shop sells crafts made by local artisans.

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.