Best Tours in Curaçao: 7 Can’t-Miss Excursions You’ll Love
Curaçao is more than just turquoise waters and colorful Dutch architecture, it’s an island brimming with unique adventures. You have your choice of sailing to a secluded island, swimming with sea turtles, or exploring the sea on an underwater scooter. Curaçao actually offers unforgettable excursions for every type of traveler.
If you’re wondering what to do in Curaçao beyond relaxing at the beach, these curated tours and activities showcase the best of the island’s beauty, culture, and marine life.
Below are seven can’t-miss tours in Curaçao that are worth every guilder.
Disclosure: Some of the links below may be affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase.
1. Klein Curaçao Day Trip with Premium Open Bar and BBQ Lunch
Duration: 9 hours
Why It’s a Must: A remote white-sand island, sailing catamaran, sea turtles, open bar, and a BBQ feast? Yes, please.
A day trip to Klein Curaçao is one of the most iconic experiences you can have while visiting the island. Just 6 miles off the southeastern coast lies this uninhabited cay, home to Curaçao’s most pristine stretch of sand and calm, clear waters.
Getting there is part of the fun. You’ll hop aboard a sailing catamaran, complete with restrooms, shade, and an open deck to soak up the sea breeze. Once you arrive, you’ll have hours to snorkel among sea turtles, colorful fish, and coral gardens. Take a walk to the island’s shipwreck and lighthouse, or simply lay back on the sand with a cold drink in hand.
Speaking of drinks… this tour includes a premium open bar with Bacardi rum, vodka, whiskey, rosé wine, and local beers like Polar and Bright. Midday, feast on a delicious BBQ buffet with grilled meats, pasta salad, and Curaçao-style peanut sauce. It’s the perfect way to spend a day in Curaçao.
Includes:
- Premium open bar and BBQ lunch
- Snorkeling gear
- Fruit snacks
- Restroom on board
- Sail on a luxury catamaran
2. Swimming with Sea Turtles and Grote Knip Beach Tour
Duration: 4–5 hours
Why It’s a Must: You’ll swim with sea turtles just steps from the beach, visit one of the island’s most beautiful beaches, and even see wild flamingos.
If you’ve ever wanted to swim with sea turtles in their natural habitat, this tour makes it easy and accessible. A comfortable, air-conditioned bus picks you up from your accommodation in Willemstad and whisks you away to Playa Piskado (also known as Playa Grandi), a local beach where sea turtles swim freely in shallow water just off the shore.
With snorkel gear included and a guide to help you spot the turtles, this is a no-fuss experience that all ages can enjoy. After an hour in the water, you’ll head to the stunning Grote Knip Beach, one of my favorite beaches in Curaçao as its postcard perfect.
But the tour doesn’t end there. You’ll make a scenic stop at Jan Kok to photograph Curaçao’s wild flamingos feeding in the salt flats. This is a great bonus for wildlife lovers. And the best part? A professional photographer joins you in the water to capture underwater shots at no extra charge.
Includes:
- Snorkeling gear
- Free professional digital photos
- Transportation from your hotel
- Visits to Playa Piskado, Grote Knip, and Jan Kok flamingo area
3. Beach Hopping Curaçao: UTV/Buggy All-Inclusive Semi-Private Tour
Duration: 6.5 hours
Why It’s a Must: See multiple off-the-beaten-path beaches in one day and enjoy a local lunch stop in a small group setting.
If lounging on one beach all day isn’t your style, this UTV beach hopping tour is your dream excursion. Buckle up in a utility task vehicle (UTV) and explore five of Curaçao’s best beaches, all in a single day.
This tour is semi-private, with a max of five participants, so it feels intimate and tailored to your interests. You’ll ride through rugged terrain and scenic coastal roads to hidden gems and local favorites in the Bandabou region. Along the way, enjoy plenty of time to swim, snorkel, or just take in the views.
Midway through the adventure, you’ll stop for lunch at a local restaurant where you can sample authentic Curaçao cuisine. With round-trip hotel pickup and no need to worry about logistics, all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the ride (or the thrill of driving your own buggy if you’re the adventurous type).
Includes:
- UTV or buggy rental
- Visits to multiple beaches
- Local lunch stop
- Round-trip hotel pickup
- Small-group experience
4. Discover Diving in Curaçao (Scuba Introduction)
Duration: 4 hours
Why It’s a Must: If you’ve always wanted to try scuba diving but don’t have a certification, this beginner-friendly tour is the perfect entry point.
Curaçao is home to some of the Caribbean’s best shore dives, and this Discover Scuba course lets you explore them without prior experience. The session starts with a safety briefing and a basic theory class. You’ll practice in shallow, confined water before heading to the famous Tugboat dive site for your open water dive.
With a certified instructor guiding you every step of the way, you’ll descend up to 40 feet (12 meters) to explore the underwater world and spot colorful fish, coral formations, and perhaps even the sunken tugboat itself.
It’s a safe and exciting way to experience Curaçao’s underwater world, and you might even fall in love with diving enough to get certified later on. I mean… I did.
Includes:
- Introductory theory and safety session
- All diving gear
- Confined water practice
- Open water dive at Tugboat site
- Small group size for individual attention
5. Aquafari Tour in Curaçao
Duration: 1.5 hours
Why It’s a Must: Ride an underwater scooter with a breathing helmet and cruise beneath the surface, with no diving skills needed.
Looking for a unique underwater experience without the commitment of scuba? The Aquafari tour delivers. After a quick orientation, you’ll hop on a personal water scooter and descend beneath the surface wearing a helmet that lets you breathe naturally. It’s like walking underwater with no swimming or special skills required.
The scooters are jet-propelled, making it easy to cruise past schools of fish and reef formations with minimal effort. This is a fantastic way to explore Curaçao’s underwater scenery without the pressure of full scuba equipment or the discomfort of snorkel masks.
If you’re a non-swimmer, a beginner, or simply want to try something different, Aquafari is a fun and safe way to experience what’s under the sea.
Includes:
- Underwater scooter with jet propulsion
- Helmet-style breathing apparatus
- Lockers for personal items
- Pre-trip safety briefing
- Small group guided experience
6. Guided Tour at the Curaçao Liqueur Distillery
Duration: 1 hour
Why It’s a Must: Learn the history of the iconic blue Curaçao liqueur and sample its different flavors in a beautiful historic setting.
Take a break from the beach with a journey into Curaçao’s cultural heritage. The Curaçao Liqueur Distillery, located in the historic Landhuis Chobolobo, is where the famous blue liqueur has been produced since 1896.
On this guided tour, you’ll learn how the liqueur is made, from the bitter laraha orange peels to the bottling process, and hear stories about how this drink became a global cocktail staple. You’ll also sample several varieties of the Senior liqueur brand and enjoy a full cocktail of your choice.
Upgrade to the deluxe experience and you’ll also get a second cocktail and a scoop of artisan gelato, perfect for enjoying in the distillery’s shaded courtyard.
Includes:
- Guided tour of the distillery
- Tasting of three liqueur flavors
- One cocktail (two with deluxe upgrade)
- Ice cream with deluxe option
- Local guide
7. Happy Hour Sunset Cruise
Duration: 2.5 hours
Why It’s a Must: There’s no better way to end your day than sailing into a Caribbean sunset with a drink in hand.
As the sun dips below the horizon, you’ll be lounging on a catamaran with a cocktail in hand. The Happy Hour Sunset Cruise is pure Curaçao magic and the perfect way to wind down after a day of exploring.
This tour is great for couples, groups of friends, or families. Relax on the deck or stretch out on the netting over the sea. Sip on rum punch, wine, or beer from the open bar while enjoying tasty finger foods.
With smooth sailing and a sunset to boot, it’s the definition of “island time.” Some operators even offer optional hotel transfers for added convenience.
Includes:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Soda and snacks
- Spacious catamaran with deck seating
- Scenic views of the coastline at sunset
Explore More of Curaçao
From sailing to remote islands and snorkeling with turtles to diving into blue liqueur history or a literal underwater adventure, these Curaçao tours are the best ways to make the most of your time on the island.
Need more information about visiting Curaçao? Here are some additional helpful posts:
- Curacao Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know
- Where is Curaçao? Location, Maps, and Facts
- Best Tours in Curaçao: 7 Can’t-Miss Excursions You’ll Love
- 7 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Curaçao: Where to Stay
- Blue Curaçao Liqueur: The Signature Drink of Curaçao Island
- Where to Stay in Curaçao: Best Areas and Hotels
- Get to Know the ABC Islands in the Caribbean
