If you’re planning a trip and wondering where the best snorkeling in Curaçao is, this is one of the best islands for it. The water is clear, most spots are easy to access from shore, and you don’t need a boat tour to have a good experience.
This guide is based on where I snorkeled, what I saw, and which spots are worth prioritizing depending on what you’re looking for.
If you’re still mapping out your trip, check out my 10 Best Things to Do in Curaçao to see what else is worth adding beyond snorkeling.
One quick thing that makes this easier: renting a car. A lot of the best snorkeling spots in Curaçao are spread out, and having your own car saves a ton of time. Renting a car here makes everything more flexible.
Bring your own snorkel gear if you can. You’ll use it at multiple beaches, and it’s easier than renting at every stop.
Go earlier in the day. The water is calmer, visibility is better, and there are fewer people.
Most spots are shore entry, so you don’t need a boat.
Water was calm almost everywhere I went, which makes it beginner-friendly.
This is the one I’d prioritize.
There’s a sunken tugboat sitting close to shore, so you don’t have to swim far — you’re basically right on top of it within a few minutes, which makes it easy even if you’re not super experienced. Once you’re out there, there’s a lot going on — fish, coral, and the wreck itself — so you’re not just floating around hoping something swims by.
We saw butterflyfish, angelfish, parrotfish, and even a moray eel, and because of the structure, they tend to stick around the area instead of being spread out. The water is usually clear and calm, which makes it easy to just float and look around without dealing with current.
It’s also an easy entry from shore, so you don’t need a boat or anything complicated to get out there.
If you only snorkel in one place, make it this one.
This is where I’d start if you want something easy.
The water is calm, entry is simple, and visibility is good without having to go far. You don’t have to work for it, which is nice if you’re just getting into snorkeling or don’t feel like doing a long swim.
Also, there are pigs on the beach — which is random but kind of fun.
If you want more details on how to plan your time here, check out my guide to Playa Porto Mari — it breaks down exactly what to expect.
If you want to see sea turtles, this is where you go.
You will see them — but go early.
This spot gets crowded fast, and there are usually a lot of people in the water. That can take away from the experience a bit, especially if you’re trying to just float and watch them.
Still worth it. Just get there early so you’re not sharing the space with a full crowd.
This one takes a little more effort to get to — dirt road, a bit more tucked away — but that’s also why it’s quieter.
It felt less crowded than Tugboat, but still had good snorkeling. If you want something a little more low-key, this is a good option.
It never felt unsafe, just less developed.
If you’re deciding between these two, I break it down more in my Director’s Bay snorkeling guide.
This is one of those spots that doesn’t get talked about as much, but it should.
It’s smaller, more relaxed, and the water stays calm, which makes it easy to snorkel without dealing with big crowds.
You can get in easily, float around, and still see a good amount without it feeling chaotic.
This is a small cove, and when the weather is good, the water is clear.
If the wind picks up, it can stir things up a bit, so visibility depends on conditions.
It’s rocky, so I’d bring water shoes — this is one of those spots where you notice it right away if you don’t have them.
It’s less known, so there are usually fewer people.
If snorkeling is your priority, this is how I’d plan your day.
Morning
Start at Playa Piskado for turtles — early, before it gets crowded.
Mid-Morning
Head to Playa Porto Mari for an easy, calm swim with good visibility.
Lunch
Grab something casual nearby or along the drive — there are plenty of small local spots along the west side.
Afternoon
Pick one:
Tugboat Beach for the best overall snorkeling
OR Director’s Bay if you want something quieter
This keeps everything realistic without trying to rush too many stops.
Pin this for later — it’ll make planning easier.
The water is clear and calm most of the time.
Most beaches have easy shore entry, so you don’t need a boat.
You don’t have to swim far to get to good areas.
This is one of the easiest places to snorkel on your own without needing a tour.
If you’d rather have everything organized, you can also book a guided snorkeling tour — some include multiple spots and take care of transportation, which can be helpful if you don’t want to drive.
I brought my own snorkel gear, and I’d do that again.
You’ll end up using it at multiple beaches, and it’s just easier than renting every time. I also always pack water shoes for places like Daaibooi — you don’t think about it until you’re stepping on rocks.
Curaçao is one of the easiest places to snorkel without needing a boat or guided tour.
If you plan it right, you can hit multiple spots in one day without feeling rushed.
If I had to prioritize:
Tugboat Beach for the overall experience
Playa Piskado for sea turtles
Playa Porto Mari for an easy, beginner-friendly option
That’s a solid mix.
If you’re building out your full trip, check out my Full 7 Day Curaçao itinerary — it’ll help you fit these into your days without overloading your schedule.
And if snorkeling is only part of your trip, my guide to the best beaches in Curaçao breaks down which ones are worth your time beyond just what’s underwater.
Let’s talk about when to actually book that Dubai trip you’ve been pinning for two years. I get asked this constantly, so here’s the honest breakdown: October through April is your window. Anything outside that and you’re basically touring in a sauna!
October and November give you warm days and cooler nights, which is basically the sweet spot for wandering around without melting. December through February is peak season: gorgeous weather. March and April are the quiet insider pick, right before summer heat shows up and ruins everyone’s plans.
Saving this for later? That’s what it’s here for. Full breakdown linked in bio.
If you’re chasing energy, beaches, nightlife, and nonstop luxury, Dubai takes the crown. If you’re craving culture, iconic architecture, and meaningful landmarks at a slower pace, Abu Dhabi shines.🤍
My advice? Base yourself in Dubai and do Abu Dhabi as a day trip! The perfect balance of excitement and culture in the UAE.
Want the full breakdown? Check out my Dubai and Abu Dhabi guide for tips, itineraries, and must-sees!
I do not like seafood. 🐟 So when I booked a tasting menu at a restaurant built around aquarium walls at Atlantis The Palm, I was nervous.
Ossiano sits underwater fish gliding past the whole meal, moody lighting, the kind of room that makes you lower your voice without meaning to. It’s not cheap, and it’s not trying to be. You’re paying for the entire experience.
Here’s the honest part: they have a vegetarian tasting menu, and I assumed it would be an afterthought. It ended up in my top five meals of all time. Course after course, the same care and precision as the seafood-forward menu everyone comes for. They even swapped in a steak for the main and it still felt cohesive with everything around it.
By course four you’re full. They bring out three more breads anyway. I ate all of it. No regrets.
Small detail that stuck with me my dress was black, so they swapped my napkin from white to black without me asking. That’s the kind of thing that tells you everything about a place.
Full breakdown of the menu, the vegetarian option, and what to expect linked in bio.
Dubai is all skyline until you drive an hour into the dunes and it goes completely silent. Bab Al Shams was that shift for us: slower, quieter, more intentional than anything we did in the city.
If you want nightlife or walkable everything, this isn’t your stop. But if you want a night that feels like a reset, it delivers, polished service, food I’m still thinking about, and a setting that never tries too hard.
Full review (and whether it’s worth adding to your Dubai itinerary) is linked in bio. 🏜️
I flew @emirates economy to Dubai fully expecting to just survive the flight. We booked seats by the exit row — @bradplummer1 got the legroom (he’s 6’7”), I got a normal seat right next to him, and it saved us money over booking two extra-legroom seats. Smart trick if you’re traveling with someone who needs the extra space and you don’t.
The food alone earned this post. Warm chicken, a Waldorf salad that actually tasted fresh, real butter on the roll, and a breakfast spread that put most airport brunches to shame. Add in the twinkling-star cabin lighting once dinner wrapped, and it felt less like a flight and more like the trip had already started.
Not everything was perfect — the wifi didn’t work for me at all, so if you’re planning to get work done in the air, download what you need beforehand. But that was the only miss in an otherwise excellent long haul.
If you’ve got Emirates lounge access in Dubai, use it. Showers, buffets, quiet corners to nap it makes the layover feel like a reset instead of a slog.
Full review seats, food, lounge, and the wifi situation is on the blog. Link in bio. ✈️
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
