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!
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.
