welcomecuraçao Book tours
ENNL
Klein Curaçao

Klein Curaçao

A flat, uninhabited island off the southeast tip: white sand, turtles, an old lighthouse and a rusting shipwreck.

Photo: Dronepicr, CC BY 3.0
  • AreaAbout 10 km off Curaçao's eastern tip
  • Best forSnorkelling, beach day, photography
  • TimeFull day (about 8–9 h incl. boat)
  • TipTake seasickness tablets if you're prone; the way out can be rough

Klein Curaçao ("Little Curaçao") is a flat island of about 1.7 km², roughly 10 kilometres off the eastern tip of Curaçao. Nobody lives there. What you get is a long arc of bright white sand on the sheltered side, water in impossible shades of blue, and a windswept interior with an old lighthouse and shipwrecks. It's a protected Ramsar wetland site.

Getting there

There is no public ferry; you visit on an organised day trip. Most boats leave in the morning from the Spanish Water or Caracasbaai area (see Jan Thiel & Spanish Water) and return late afternoon. The crossing takes from about an hour on fast boats to roughly two hours on larger catamarans or motor yachts. Trips typically include breakfast, a barbecue lunch, drinks and snorkel gear; check exactly what's included. Compare Klein Curaçao trips or check options on Viator.

Good to know: The outbound leg runs against the wind and waves, and can be bumpy. The way back is usually calmer. Boats can cancel in rough seas.

What to do on the island

  • Snorkel with turtles: green and hawksbill turtles feed in the shallows off the beach; the reef starts close to shore.
  • Walk to the lighthouse: the 19th-century lighthouse in the middle of the island is a 15-minute walk from the beach. The structure isn't fully restored, so don't climb where it's closed off.
  • See the wreck: on the rough windward side lies the rusting tanker Maria Bianca Guidesman, stranded in the late 1980s and slowly broken apart by waves. Don't swim on that side.
Tip: Book a boat that gives you more hours on the island rather than the cheapest fare, and pick a weekday when it's quieter.

What to bring

Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, a light long-sleeve top (shade is limited to a few huts), reef shoes and a dry bag for your phone. Facilities are basic and run by the tour operators. Read our full Klein Curaçao day trip guide for a boat-by-boat comparison, and see snorkelling & diving on Curaçao for more reefs.

Choosing your boat

Larger catamarans and motor yachts are steadier and have more shade, but take longer. Fast powerboats and RIBs give you more time ashore and suit early risers who don't mind a bumpy, wet ride. Small groups mean a quieter beach area. Whichever you choose, check the departure point, pickup options and what happens if the trip is cancelled for weather.

Tours: Klein Curaçao

Compare guided trips, transfers and tickets.

Check availability

Frequently asked questions

How long is the boat ride to Klein Curaçao?

About 1 to 2 hours each way, depending on the boat. Faster boats mean more time on the island.

Can you stay overnight on Klein Curaçao?

No. There are no hotels or residents; visits are day trips only.

Is Klein Curaçao worth it?

For beach and snorkel lovers, yes. If you get seasick easily, choose a larger, more stable boat and take precautions.

Klein Curaçao
Photo: Seasidesaltlife, CC BY-SA 4.0

Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.