by Shannon Boone

Created on: May 15, 2010   Last Updated: May 18, 2010

Although the island of Curacao is not as “green” as many of the other Caribbean islands, it does not mean that it lacks when it comes to outdoor activities.  In fact, there are a plethora of outdoor activities to enjoy in this island paradise.  Here are a few of the highlights of the outdoor activities in Curacao:

Beaches

The terrain on this island can sometimes be rocky and shallow, but, with 38 beaches, there are still many options to enjoy smooth sand at the beach.  Sea Aquarium Beach located on the East Side, is one of the more popular beaches as the majority of the beach is sectioned off by either a seaside restaurant or resort.  This beach does have a small admission for people who are not staying at one of the resorts at the beach.  On the West Side, Playa Porto Mari has calm water and a very long stretch of white sand that are optimal for both swimming and lounging.  This beach, by far is way less busy that Sea Aquarium Beach because is not overpopulated by businesses.  Families will really enjoy this beach, and facilities such as showers and restrooms are very well kept up.

ATVs, Scooters, Biking

There are several ATV, Scooter, and Bike rental proprietors on the island to take you on a guided tour.  All you need is a driver’s license to ride the ATV’s and for the scooters, you must be 16 or older, and no experience is required.  For bikers, for about $30, you will get a two hour excursion, and all safety equipment and bike rental is included in the price.

Diving and Snorkeling

At the Curacao Underwater Marine Park, scuba divers and snorkelers can enjoy an array of natural wonders such as reefs and marine life, and also, the 1900s vessel, the SS Oranje Nassau, is available for exploration. 

Sea Excursions

There are several different vendors that offer sea excursions on the island.  Some offer sunset cruises where others offer day long snorkeling adventures.  No matter what type of excursion you are looking for, there more than likely is an opportunity to experience it.  Some vendors even offer customers t “create a trip”, where you basically hire the boat for the day and can experience whatever you would like.

This is just a sampling of some of the outdoor activities that this island has to offer, but, fishing, golfing, kayaking, wind surfing, and tubing are a few more of the islands outdoor offerings.  For more information, please visit the Curacao Tourism Board www.curacao-tourism.com.

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