15 Best Beaches in Curacao Near the Cruise Port (With Distances & Map)
Looking for the best beaches in Curacao near the cruise port? Then I got you covered!
The beaches in Curacao are somewhat next level. Not only is the water crystal clear, but you can also spot the most beautiful fish or be amazed by the high cliffs surrounding the bays.
Curacao beaches belong to the finest ones in the entire Caribbean. According to Curacao officials, the island has 38 (!) different beaches.
Being your first time on the island, it can be a pretty tough choice which ones to visit. Especially if you only have one day in Curacao on your Caribbean cruise, you might wonder about the best beaches in Curacao from a cruise ship – and of course how to reach them.
Therefore I have created an ultimate guide with the ins and outs of all the important beaches in Curacao – and how to reach them from the cruise port.
Let’s get to it!
Best Beaches from Curacao Cruise Port – at a Glance
🏖️ Closest Beach: Mambo Beach (10 min driving) – Fully Serviced
🏖️ Closest Artificial Beach: Renaissance Windcreek Hotel (2 min walking) – Fully Serviced, Expensive
🏖️ Best Snorkel Beach: Playa Porto Mari (30 min driving) – Fully Serviced
🏖️ Most Beautiful Beach: Cas Abao Beach (40 min driving) – Fully Serviced
🏖️ Most Authentic Beach: Daaibooibay (30 min driving), Playa Gipy (50 min driving)
🏖️ Best Diving Beach: Tugboat Beach (30 min driving) or Playa Lagun (30 min driving)
Can You Walk to a Beach from Curacao Cruise Port?
Sadly, there are not that many beaches in Curacao super close to the cruise port.
If you are looking for a beach near the Curacao cruise port within walking distance, your only option is to buy a day pass at one of the resorts in the area.
The Renaissance Wind Creek Curacao Resort is located right next to the cruise port. They do have an artificial infinity beach that can be a great option for your day in Curacao (see picture below).
Apart from that, the closest public beach to the cruise port is Mambo Beach. You can reach it with a cab, but it is too far to walk. Keep in mind that most cruise passengers flock to Mambo Beach, so it is quite crowded.
If you have the chance, grab a rental car and explore some of the other beaches near the cruise port (not farther than the 45-minute drive) I have listed below.
Secret Insider Tip: Make a reservation at the restaurant Nultwintig for Lunch – you’ll get free access to their exclusive beach club in Willemstad.
Curacao Cruise Port Map
As you can see on this Curacao Cruise Port Map, the three terminals are in the middle of the city of Willemstad. This means, there are no beaches in walking distance of the cruise port in Curacao.
The Renaissance Wind Creek Curacao Hotel is located right by the pier, and they do have an artificial beach. This is your best option if you don’t want to take transportation.
Check out my favorite things to do from the cruise port.
Curacao’s Best Beaches – In Detail
1. Mambo Beach
Amenities: restaurants, beach clubs, toilets, beach chairs for rent
Distance to Cruise Port: 10 minutes
Entrance: free
Notes: you may not bring your own food or drink in most of the beach clubs
Mambo Beach is one of the most lively beaches in Curacao mixing stunning blue waters with cute little shops, nice restaurants, and plenty of fancy beach clubs.
It is located right next to the sea aquarium and is on the beach near the Curacao cruise port. The beach is very nice and clean and the water is very easy to enter and nice for swimming.
Mambo Beach is our beach of choice if we want to spend a relaxed day, being pampered and comfy.
Head over to our favorite beach club, Cabana Beach, where you can rent super comfy beds with umbrellas and be served delicious meals and cocktails right to your bed.
2. Blue Bay Beach
Amenities: restaurant, dive shop, showers, massages, beach chairs
Distance from Cruise Port: 15 minutes
Opening times: 08:00 to 20:00
Entrance: 7,20 EUR pp
Notes: popular among families
This magnificent bay is definitely one of my favorite beaches in Curacao. Blue Bay Beach is located near the fishermen’s village Sint Michiel North West of Willemstad.
The beach is part of the famous Blue Bay Resort, named after the plantation “Blaauw” nearby.
Even when you are not staying at the resort, you can get a cheap day pass to Blue Bay Beach. The beach has all the amenities you could possibly need, such as water sports, a restaurant, and a toilet/shower.
You can treat yourself to a nice massage or order a cocktail right to your beach chair.
3. Kokomo Beach
Entrance: free, 3,50 USD for a beach bed
Distance from Cruise Port: 20 minutes
Open: daily from 09:00 to 18:30 and Sundays from 09:00 to 22:00
Amenities: Restaurant, Showers, Dive Shop, Beach Chairs
Note: Live Music on Sundays, Great picture spot
Kokomo is a small natural beach located in the Vaersenbaai, roughly 15 minutes outside of Willemstad. The beach is only roughly 200 meters long, but you can find all the amenities there that you might need.
Kokomo is one of the most famous spots on the island, because of the water swings with the Komomo sign on top. Therefore, is definitely one of the most instagrammable places on the island.
Sundays on Kokomo are family days. Above all, this means nice music throughout the day and great live music with cocktails and happy hour in the evening. Make sure to stop by!
4. Jan Thiel Beach
Entrance: depends on Beach Club
Distance from Cruise Port: 20 minutes
Open: daily, depending on Beach Club
Amenities: Restaurant, Showers, Dive Shop, Beach Chairs
Jan Thiel is a very famous party beach among Dutchies. However, it is still nicely in the vicinity of the cruise port.
If you book a nice bed at Zest Beach Club or Papagayo Beach, you can have a very relaxed experience there. I have enjoyed this a whole lot. They have super comfy beach chairs and lounge chairs at Jan Thiel Beach.
For many Dutch visitors, Jan Thiel is the best Curacao beach. However, the public Jan Thiel Beach is quite crowded and loud. Keep this in mind before you go.
5. Playa Porto Mari
Opening times: the beach is open from 09:30 am to 06:30 pm. Make sure to hang around till the evening, to see a stunning sunset.
Distance to Cruise Port: 30 min
Entrance fee: 3 $ p.p.
Beach chairs and umbrellas: These can be rented at the beach for a small fee, umbrellas are pretty scarce so coming early is key.
This beach is my favorite beach and one of the best Curacao beaches. Playa Porto Mari is a very large, natural beach.
The amenities around the beach are great. There is a cute restaurant serving delicious meals, cocktails, and ice cream.
My by far favorite thing about the beach, however, are the two pigs Willy and Woody that roam the sand and entertain the visitors.
There are also some colorful fishing boats on the beach – perfect for some pictures.
6. Daaibooibay
Amenities: small restaurant and toilet
Distance from Cruise Port: 30 min
Entrance: free
Beach chairs and tanning beds: available for a small fee
Note: great for snorkeling, quiet
This beautiful bay is one of my favorite beaches in Curacao for many reasons.
Daaibooibay is nestled in between two huge limestone cliffs, which not only make for a stunning view but also great snorkeling spots. It is one of the best beaches in Curacao for swimming.
For the adventurous people among you, make sure to hike up a small trail on the left side of the bay. You will have an amazing view of the bay and the ocean.
7. Tugboat Beach
Entrance: free
Distance from Cruise Port: 30 minutes
Beach chairs: available to rent
Amenities: restaurant and toilets
Notes: Rocky Beach!
Tugboat Beach is one of the must-visit places for snorkelers and divers, and one of the top beaches in Curacao.
The beach is named after a 30-year-old tugboat shipwreck, that is lying there on the ground. Tugboat Beach is also a good beach for swimming.
The beach itself is (one of the only on the island) a rocky one. Make sure to bring water shoes if you are sensitive.
If you don’t feel like driving, many Curacao Snorkel Tours lead you to Tugboat Beach.
8. Cas Abao Beach
Entrance: 6-7 USD (per car)
Beach chairs: 3 USD
Distance from Cruise Port: 35 minutes
Amenities: restaurants, toilets, showers (paid), massages, dive shop
Notes: going early is key for a good spot
This beautiful beach is truly a gem on the southwest coast of the island and for many the best beach in Curacao.
Cas Abao Beach was recently voted one of the 21 best beaches in the world by National Geographic
The beach is fully serviced, therefore you really don’t need to worry about bringing a thing.
Cas Abao is definitely one of my favorite beaches for snorkeling. The water is super shallow around the cliffs on both sides of the bay and it is easily accessible.
9. Playa Lagun
Entrance: none
Distance from Cruise Port: 45 minutes
Amenities: toilets, there are some beach chairs around for rental but we never actually managed to find out from whom
Note: amazing for snorkeling and diving
This beautiful bay will always have a special place in my heart because it was the first place where I casually swam with sea turtles.
Playa Lagun is a small, non-touristic beach on the west of the island.
Also, it is very famous among snorkelers and divers because the marine life there is simply stunning.
Make sure to stop by the cool restaurant Bahia.
10. Kleine Knip Beach
Entrance: free
Beach chairs: for rent
Distance from Cruise Port: 45 minutes
Amenities: none
Note: Great place to meet locals
Kleine Knip is one of my favorite non-touristy beaches in Curacao.
This beach is located far west on the island and is mostly visited by locals. There is no entrance fee to the beach.
Beach beds can be rented there, and they actually always come with an umbrella (which is not usual at Curacao’s beaches).
Sadly, there are no other amenities there, so you do need to bring your own food and drinks or only stop by for a few hours.
11. Playa Gipy
Amenities: none
Distance from Cruise Port: 45 minutes
Entrance: free
Note: bring good shoes
Playa Gipy is what I would call paradise on earth. A super small secluded bay, nestled right in between huge cliffs and completely hidden away from the tourists.
Playa Gipy is located on the northern tip of the island, close to the village of Westpunt. You can find it by heading on the dirt road leading towards the Watamula hole.
I have written an intense guide on how to reach Playa Gipy.
12. Grote Knip (Kenepa Grande)
Entrance: free
Distance from Cruise Port: 45 minutes
Beach chairs: for rent
Amenities: none
Note: Great place to meet locals
Grote Knip Beach is, just like Kleine Knip Beach located in the western part of the island and very popular among locals.
The entrance is free and you can rent beach chairs on the beach.
The shallow waters are amazing for snorkeling. Experienced swimmers like the openness of the beach, since you can easily swim far out.
13. Piscadera Bay
Entrance: free
Distance from Cruise Port: 5 minutes
Amenities: beach chairs, umbrellas, restaurant
Note: relatively small beach
Piscadera Bay is super close to the cruise port and a great beach in Curacao.
It is relatively small, so you’ll need to hurry a bit to find a good spot. The restaurants there serve great food and there is a good vibe going on.
14. Playa Forti
Amenities: snack bar, restaurant, umbrellas for rent
Distance from Cruise Port: 45 minutes
Notes: cliff jumping point, sea turtles
Entrance: free
Playa Forti is a mixed sand-pebble beach close to the village of Westpunt. The beach is quite big and the view is super picturesque.
You can see the endless blue ocean with small fisherboats floating away.
There are several snack bars and one really great restaurant close by the beach (called Playa Forti also and is right upstairs).
Right next to the restaurant, there is a cliff-jumping point, where you can (safely) jump down 10 meters right into the sea.
15. Playa Grandi/ Playa Piskado
Amenities: none
Distance from Cruise Port: 45 minutes
Entrance: free
Notes: sea turtles
Playa Grandi is a small beach that is famous for its frequent visitors the sea turtles. It is a small fisherman’s beach.
The fishermen clean the fish on the shore and throw the trash right back in, therefore attracting the sea turtles.
In my opinion, the beach is not worth the hype. The fish trash attracts the turtles and they devour the bloody meat right next to you in the water. Not the kind of wholesome experience you want to have with the turtles.
Do you need travel insurance in Curacao? Yes, travel insurance in Curacao is highly recommended. Unsafe roads, water sports accidents, and food poisoning are only a few examples of when travel insurance could come in handy. EKTA offers worldwide travel insurance with 24/7 service and no hidden fees or restrictions.
Conclusion: Best Beaches in Curacao From Cruise Ship
In this post, we have closely examined the best Curacao beaches near the cruise port.
Sadly, there are no beaches super close to the port, so you will always need to rely on a cab, a shore excursion, or a rental car for your beach day in Curacao.
While Mambo Beach is the closest beach to the cruise port, I suggest also checking out some other beaches farther out west. Mambo gets quite crowded when cruise ships are in town.
Curacaos beaches are next level – so it can totally pay off to rent a car and explore a bit off the beaten tracks.
If you are interested in snorkeling, check out my favorite Curacao beaches for snorkeling.
Klein Beach on Klein Curacao is sadly too hard to reach unless your cruise ship stays overnight.
Read about the best time to vacation in Curacao to plan the perfect vacation.
FAQ: Curacao Beach in Curacao From Cruise Ship
Cas Abao Beach, Playa Porto Mari, Mambo Beach, Playa Lagun, and Daaibooibay are the nicest beaches in Curacao.
Klein Beach in Klein Curacao is the clearest beach in Curacao. The water quality there is stunning, and the nature is totally untouched. You can reach Klein Curacao with a boat from the main island.
Yes, the beaches in Curacao are swimmable. Most beaches are located in nice little bays, which makes the water very calm and the current super soft. The beaches in Curacao are ideal for swimming and snorkeling.
Yes, Curacao beaches are extremely good. Most beaches have cliffs on both sides of the bay protecting the water from strong waves. The water quality is great and the beaches in Curacao are amazing for snorkeling and swimming.
Cas Abao Beach is the number 1 beach in Curacao. It has been ranked among the top 21 beaches in the world. The water is crystal clear and shallow and there are lots of tropical fish for snorkeling.
No, you can’t walk to a beach in Curacao from Cruise Port. The closest beach to the Curacao Cruise port is Mambo Beach. It is about 10 minutes away from the car. Other beaches in the area are Blue Bay Beach, Pirate Bay, and Kokomo Beach.
The closest beach to the Curacao Cruise port is Mambo Beach. It is about 10 minutes away from the car. Other beaches in the area are Blue Bay Beach, Pirate Bay, and Kokomo Beach. There is no beach in Curacao within walking distance of the Curacao Cruise Port.
You can either grab a cab at the cruise port in Curacao to go to the beach or get a rental car. Of course, you can also book a shore excursion. There are no beaches within walking distance of the Curacao Cruise Port.
Playa Porto Mari is the Beach with Pigs in Curacao. The pigs are called Willy and Woody and they freely roam the beach.
Willemstad itself does not have any natural beaches in the city center. Mambo Beach, Sea Aquarium Beach, and Piscadera Bay are close by and can be reached with a short car ride. The Renaissance Hotel in Willemstad does have an artificial beach.
Yes, Curaçao has beautiful beaches with turquoise waters, ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. While not known for long, sandy shores, its rocky coves and coral reefs create unique coastal landscapes. Popular spots like Mambo Beach and Jan Thiel offer a blend of relaxation and water activities, making Curaçao a beach lover’s paradise.
Mambo Beach is relatively close to the cruise port in Willemstad, Curaçao. It’s approximately a 10-minute drive from the cruise port to Mambo Beach, depending on traffic conditions. Many cruise lines offer shuttle services or taxis are readily available to take passengers from the port to popular destinations like Mambo Beach.
About the Author
Sabrina is a passionate travel blogger and content creator, based in New Mexico. She spends about half the year traveling to various destinations with her husband.
She provides slow-paced itineraries that focus on quality over quantity. Sabrina wants to help her readers to get more out of their travel experiences – while doing less. Read more.