Klein Curacao Catamaran Day Trip with Snorkeling and BBQ Lunch

Departure from Spanish Water

The trip begins at Kima Kalki Marina in Spanish Water, a wide, sheltered lagoon on the south-east coast of Curaçao lined with many of the island's marinas, fishing boats and water-sports centres. Its calm water, green hills and narrow channel to the open sea make it the classic starting point for trips to Klein Curaçao.

You board the catamaran at 8:00 am and are welcomed by the crew with breakfast as the boat glides out of the lagoon. Arriving a little early gives you time to find a good spot on deck, put on sunscreen and settle in before departure. At the marina gate, simply use the intercom to call the crew, who will let you in and show you to the boat.

Cruising along the Curaçao coast

The crossing takes about an hour, following the dry south-east coast of Curaçao before heading out across the open Caribbean. A catamaran is wide and stable, so the ride is comfortable, and you can choose between relaxing on the shaded deck, lying out in the sun at the bow, or joining the captain upstairs to watch the sea.

The captain shares interesting facts about the island you are heading to, and a few minutes before arrival you can already see its lighthouse and the shipwreck on the horizon. Watch the colour of the water change from deep navy to bright turquoise as you approach the island's reef. It is a relaxed, scenic start to a Klein Curaçao day trip.

Klein Curaçao island

Klein Curaçao, or Little Curaçao, is a flat, uninhabited island of coral and sand off the south-east point of Curaçao. Its west side is fringed by long beaches of dazzling white sand and water in every shade of blue, while small wooden huts used by local fishermen and an old lighthouse stand out against the low scrub.

Once the catamaran has anchored, you have time to swim, sunbathe and walk along the beach. A stroll to the lighthouse and the rusting shipwreck on the windward shore is a favourite with photographers; wear shoes and a hat, as there is little shade. Is Klein Curaçao worth visiting? For clear water and untouched nature it is hard to beat in the whole region.

Snorkelling and the barbecue lunch

The reef around Klein Curaçao is one of the healthiest in the area, and snorkelling equipment is included so you can explore it straight from the boat or the beach. Expect coral, tropical fish and a great possibility of encountering sea turtles, which feed in these waters; keep a respectful distance and never touch them or the coral.

Back on board, the crew serves a generous barbecue lunch: filet mignon, salmon and chicken with potato salad, corn on the cob, vegetable salad, baguette and prawn crackers, along with soft drinks, bottled water and snacks through the day. After lunch there is time for one more swim before the catamaran returns to Spanish Water in the afternoon.