I parked at the top, walked over to the overlook, and just stood there for a second. Grote Knip Curaçao Beach Guide photos don’t fully prepare you for how blue the water actually is. It’s one of those spots where you immediately understand why everyone talks about it.
If you’re planning out your beach days, Best Beaches in Curaçao (with Map + Tips) helps put this one into context with the rest of the island.
Grote Knip, also called Playa Kenepa Grandi, sits on the west side of Curaçao.
Most people drive here, and renting a car here makes it easier since you’ll likely pair this with other west side beaches.
You park, walk a few steps, and the whole beach opens up below you.
The water starts bright turquoise near the shore and fades into deeper blue farther out, and it looks just as intense in person. This is the view you’ve seen online, just more impressive in person.
Right near the parking area, there’s an overlook before you go down.
You get the full view of the cliffs wrapping around the water, and it helps you see how big the beach actually is. This is also where most people stop for photos before heading down.
Once you walk down, the beach opens into a wide stretch of sand with lots of rocky areas mixed in.
The water is clear enough that you can see straight to the bottom, and getting in is manageable, but I wore water shoes (took them off for photos ouch ha) and was glad I had them for exploring.
We rented chairs and ended up staying a few hours.
The water was calm, so I brought a float and just stayed in for a while doing absolutely nothing. This is an easy beach to settle into instead of rushing through.
When we went, it was busy but still enjoyable.
There were a lot of people, but the beach is big enough that it didn’t feel crowded on top of each other. If you’re expecting empty, that’s not this, but it didn’t take away from it.
We didn’t snorkel here, but there were plenty of people out in the water with gear, especially near the rocky edges.
If you’re bringing your own setup, this is an easy place to use it without needing a plan.
Up by the parking lot, there are food carts with snacks, baked goods, and slushies.
There are also bathrooms, chair rentals, and plenty of parking, so once you’re here, you’re not dealing with anything complicated.
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We stayed a few hours, and that felt right.
You can make this your main beach for the day or pair it with another nearby stop if you’re exploring the west side.
If you’re building out your list, this fits right in with some of the quieter stops—I break that down more in my 7 Hidden Gems in Curaçao You Don’t Want to Miss.
If it’s your first time in Curaçao and you want that bright blue water moment, this is it.
If you’re looking for something quieter or more tucked away, you’ll probably want a different beach.
We walked back up to the overlook before leaving and it looked just as good as when we got there.
Grote Knip lives up to the hype, and if you’re building out your Curaçao plan, it’s one that should definitely make it to your list!
Booked this Bryson City yurt for the ‘ber months and it’s already my top fall pick this year. 🍂
The Junaluska Yurt sleeps six but feels more like a stylish cabin than a yurt, two real queen bedrooms with actual doors, a full kitchen, and a private bathroom with a walk-in shower. Check-in is just a door code texted to your phone, no lobby, no waiting.
The real win is outside: wraparound porch, private fire pit, free firewood, a gas grill, and Smoky Mountain sunsets that stop you mid-sentence, picture all of that with October color on the ridgeline. Heads up, the last stretch in is a gravel road, so skip the low-profile rental, and there’s no restaurant onsite, you’re minutes from Bryson City, Dillsboro, and Sylva for dinner.
Two to three nights is the sweet spot. (We actually stayed in the dead of winter and it was still stunning, fall just takes it up a notch.) Full review linked in bio.
Italian food felt like the last thing I expected to find in the middle of the Appalachian Mountains... until I sat down at Ilda in Sylva.🍝
They call it Italian-Appalachian, and that’s not just a tagline. Homemade pasta, craft cocktails, local ingredients pulled straight from the mountains around it, this is the kind of meal that makes you forget you’re two hours from the nearest city. It’s cozy, it’s a little upscale, and it is not a walk-in kind of place, call ahead, because tables go fast on weekends.
It’s not cheap, and it’s not trying to be. But if you’re already making the trip out to Sylva, this is the one reservation worth planning your day around.
Full write-up, including what to order, link in bio.
Booked my fall cabin before September even started, and I’m not sorry about it. 🍂
These are the stays that make you actually want the cold to hurry up fireplaces, mountain views, the kind of porch you don’t leave. Not every one of these is going to fit every trip, but if a cozy fall getaway is on your radar, this is the roundup to start with.
One of my favorite travel seasons is almost here, and I have zero chill about it. 🍁✈️
There’s just something about fall trips cooler air, apple orchards, that first flannel of the season, food that actually makes sense with the weather again. I’m already mentally packing for it before September even starts.
If fall is your favorite time to travel too, tell me where you’re headed... I’m taking notes for the list.
Pack your bags... ✈️🧳My hiking and road trip gear shop just got a refresh, and this is everything that actually earns a spot in my bag. The dry bag pulls double duty for beach days and trail days, the Osprey backpack is the one I grab for anything motorcycle or day-hike related, and the GoPro comes with me literally everywhere at this point.
Nothing on this list is filler it’s all stuff I’ve used, packed, and repacked more times than I can count. Full shop linked in my bio if you want to build out your own kit before your next trip.
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
