Ocean Encounters

Ocean Encounters Diving Curacao
Book now
Ocean Encounters Diving Curacao

Top 5 Things to Do in Curacao

As much we love taking people scuba diving in Curacao to explore and discover the underwater beauty of Curacao, we are well aware that you may be traveling with non-divers too! Not to mention, Curacao is not a typical Caribbean island either because there is a lot of things to do in Curacao.  So, if are you looking for the essential top-side activities while vacationing in Curacao, then keep reading to dive in to the Top 5 Things To Do in Curacao! 

Top 5 Things to Do

Essential Non-Diving Tips and Advice when vacationing in Curacao

Sit Back and Relax

What better way to spend your Caribbean holiday than at the beach! We are located at the LionsDive Beach Resort right next to the Mambo Beach Boulevard. A long beach strip awaits you for a relaxing day of soaking up some sun and swimming at the beach.

Dive in to the Flavors of Curacao

There are various restaurants and bars in the area. Right outside our dive shop you’ll find Hemingway which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They have an international menu so you can rest assured you’ll find something of your taste. Other restaurants within the LionsDive Beach Resort are Piazza, Chill Beach Bar & Grill, and Nemo Restaurant. There are also several options available at the Mambo Beach Boulevard fit for any budget.

Bonus tip: If you want to get in touch with some locals, check out “Coco Guy”, a local coconut vendor. You’ll find him by the Mari Pampoen Recreational Area at the speedbump across from the former Miramar Restaurant. Stick around, after you finish your coconut water, he’ll crack open your coconut so you can eat the fresh fruit later!

LionsDive Beach Resort | Ocean Encounters Curacao
Hemingway Beach Bar and Restaurant at LionsDive Beach Resort

Explore the Historic Streets of Willemstad

Exploring, shopping, and discovering the unique flavors of Curaçao in the historic epicenter of downtown Willemstad is an adventure that should not be missed.  The easiest way to see it and feel it all at once is to join Punda Vibes every Thursday!

More than just a street gathering, Punda Vibes celebrates, every Thursday night, the history and heritage of Willemstad with the help of Curacao’s culture cultivators and locals. The event gives new light to the streets and alleys, promoting a homegrown love and appreciation of the locale’s diversity.

Also known as the “heart of Curacao”, Punda was first established in 1634 with the original name “de punt”. This vibrant district with pedestrian-only streets had since grown and evolved in to one of Curacao’s most popular destinations within the capital, Willemstad, holding the title of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Punda is also home to the Mikve Israel Emanuel Synagogue, the oldest surviving synagogue in the Americas. The quaint alleys of Punda lead you to the island’s top shopping destination where you can get everything from local crafts to electronics. On Thursday nights, Punda transforms.

Curacao Sleep and Dive Vacation Packages at Ocean Encounters

A fairly new and interesting event turned weekly habit has been making waves in Punda on Thursday nights with Punda Vibes. A celebration of Punda’s booming art scene wherein the town showcases work from local artists. Pop-up craft markets, live theater, and historic dancing as music fills the alleys and people dance under the stars. Afterwards, a stunning fireworks display decorates the sky.

Afternoon Snorkeling or Private Boat Trips

If someone in your party is diving with us on the afternoon boat, you can join too! We take both snorkelers and divers on our afternoon boat trips. We will take you to two of the most popular snorkel sites on the island, the Tugboat and Director’s Bay.

The tugboat is a cute little wreck that is over a quarter century old and sits in just 17ft/5m of water.

Director’s Bay is home to some amazing creatures like seahorses, frogfish, a large octopus and more. At Director’s Bay you’ll also see some of the corals that have been out-planted by the Reef Renewal Curacao.

We also offer a weekly trip to the west! Join our full day trip to snorkel the famous Mushroom Forest & the Blue Room with lunch included.

Curacao Snorkeling and Private Boat Trips with Ocean Encounters

Discover the Deserted Island of Klein Curacao

If you could imagine a picturesque deserted Caribbean island surrounded by warm aquamarine waters, then welcome to Klein Curaçao.

Located approximately 6.5 miles off the eastern tip of Curaçao, this is a very special trip for divers and for snorkelers alike. The locals say that the underwater habitats of Klein Curaçao is where everything is bigger and there is more of it with almost the guarantee of turtle sightings, ocean triggerfish and large groupers.

This tiny, rugged, desolate island of volcanic rock is located off the southeast coast of Curaçao – about one-and-a-half hours by boat.

This is essential day trip while visiting Curacao and a prime location for scuba diving, snorkeling or just simply chilling out on the beach!  When you arrive at Klein Curacao, you will quickly realize that this a pristine and unspoiled Caribbean paradise!

Top 5 Things to Do in Curacao | Ocean Encounters Vacation Tips & Advice

Sea and Learn at the Curaçao Sea Aquarium

If you want to learn more about Curaçao’s marine life, the Curaçao Sea Aquarium is a great way to do that. Just a 1-minute walk from our shop! The Sea Aquarium is known for having created natural habitats for all its marine creatures without using sophisticated technical equipment. Due to an open-water system all the aquaria are in immediate contact with the open sea.

Off-Roading in Curacao with Eric's ATV Adventures

If you’re feeling up to a little for adventure, you can find Eric’s ATV Adventures right around the corner offering Curacao tours. Their ATV’s are suitable for experienced and inexperienced drivers. All you need is a normal driver’s license and you are ready to go! They have various tours available varying from 1.5 hours to up to 6 hours. Minimum age for passengers is 5 years.

Related Articles

Share:

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn

3 Comments

  • That ATV / Quad riding you mentioned was a blast! Thanks for sharing.

    Patrick,

  • If you would like to absorb a little bit of local culture then walk beyond the Coco man and go past the Boulevard supermarket to the right and you will find a nice neighborhood with a large church.
    A total of a 5km walk. A little exercise and a little culture.

    Richard Hartman,

  • The afternoon snorkeling will definitely be on my list next time I visit Curacao.

    Gijs van der Pol,

    • Comments for this post are closed.