Snorkeling with Sea Turtles

On Curaçao's calm leeward coast you can snorkel with wild green sea turtles straight from the sand. Two small fishing coves draw them reliably: Playa Grandi, known locally as Piskado, where fishermen clean their catch and turtles come in to feed, and Playa Lagun, a sheltered bay framed by cliffs. Both are shallow, clear, and protected, so even nervous swimmers can float and watch.

The turtles here are wild and free-swimming, not penned or fed for show. You will often see several at once gliding along the bottom to graze, then rising slowly to the surface for a breath right beside you. Squid and silvery fish gather in the same water, and at Playa Lagun the rocky walls add octopus, seahorses, and reef fish to the mix.

Snorkel responsibly

• Keep a respectful distance and never touch, chase, or feed the turtles.
• Go early, before the boat tours and midday crowds arrive at Playa Grandi.
• Bring your own mask and fins; these are casual beach spots, not full dive centres.
• Use reef-safe sunscreen to protect the water the turtles live in.

Both beaches sit on the west coast within easy reach of Westpunt, so you can pair a turtle swim with a day of beach-hopping. Calm conditions are the norm year-round, but always check the surface before you go in.