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Curaçao365
Westpunt
Photo by Karl Moore on Unsplash · Unsplash License
West CoastDestination

Westpunt

Westpunt, Curaçao's far northwest tip, holds the island's most striking wild beaches: the twin coves of Grote and Kleine Knip, the cliffs of Playa Forti and the turtles of Playa Grandi. Quiet, scenic and dive-focused.

Best timeDecember to May (clearest water for diving and snorkeling)
Avg tempAround 28C / 82F year-round (about 26-31C / 79-88F), trade-wind cooled
AirportCuraçao International (Hato, CUR), ~45-60 min
Region
West Coast
Best time
December to May (clearest water for diving and snorkeling)
Avg temp
Around 28C / 82F year-round (about 26-31C / 79-88F), trade-wind cooled
Nearest airport
Curaçao International (Hato, CUR), ~45-60 min
The overview

Westpunt

Westpunt, Curaçao's far northwest tip, holds the island's most striking wild beaches: the twin coves of Grote and Kleine Knip, the cliffs of Playa Forti and the turtles of Playa Grandi. Quiet, scenic and dive-focused.

Westpunt is the village at the far northwestern tip of Curaçao, the quiet, scenic end of the island where the leeward coast delivers its most photogenic beaches. This is a place of limestone cliffs, deep clear coves and a slow pace. There is little in the way of nightlife or big resorts, so people come here for the water: the shore diving and snorkeling around the western tip are among the best in the Caribbean, with reefs that drop away just metres from the sand.

The beaches are the reason to make the drive. Grote Knip (Playa Kenepa Grandi) is the island's poster beach, a wide horseshoe of pale sand above astonishing turquoise water, with a low cliff at one end that locals leap from. Its smaller sibling Kleine Knip sits just down the road, shadier and more intimate. At Playa Forti the draw is the cliff itself, a clifftop restaurant with a sweeping view and a popular jumping spot for the brave.

Snorkeling and diving

  • Playa Grandi (Playa Piscado) is a working fishermen's cove where green sea turtles gather for the fish scraps, so you can snorkel alongside them straight off the beach.
  • The reefs off Westpunt are easy shore-entry sites, clear and full of life, ideal for both new and experienced divers.
  • Bring your own gear or rent locally, as facilities are simpler out here than in the resort areas.

Westpunt sits within the rural western half of the island, so it pairs naturally with the countryside and national parks of Bandabou and the flamingo lagoons and postcard beaches around Sint Willibrordus. The far north coast beyond the village faces the open Atlantic and is wild and rough, beautiful to look at but not for swimming.

As a base, Westpunt suits divers, snorkellers and travellers who value scenery and calm over amenities. It is about a 45-minute to one-hour drive from Willemstad, so many people visit on a day trip, but staying out here rewards you with empty early-morning beaches and some of the island's best sunsets.

Before you go

Practical information

Safety tips
✓Stick to the calm leeward coves for swimming; the north Atlantic coast is rough and dangerous.
✓Snorkel responsibly with the turtles at Playa Grandi (no touching or feeding), wear footwear on rocky entries, and bring water and shade as facilities are limited.
Connectivity & tipping
ConnectivityWi-Fi is common in hotels, restaurants and beach clubs. Local prepaid SIMs and eSIMs from Digicel and Flow give solid 4G/5G coverage across most of the island; signal thins on the far west and at remote beaches.
TippingMany restaurants add a service charge of around 10-15%; if not, 10% extra for good service is normal. Tip taxi drivers and guides a few dollars or guilders, and leave housekeeping a small daily tip. Prices may be quoted in Cg (Caribbean guilder) or US$, so check before paying.
In pictures

Photo gallery

Good to know

Westpunt questions

Which are the best beaches around Westpunt?

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The headline beaches are Grote Knip (Playa Kenepa Grandi), a wide horseshoe of pale sand and turquoise water, and its quieter neighbour Kleine Knip. Playa Forti is known for its clifftop view and jumping spot, and Playa Grandi (Playa Piscado) is the cove where you can snorkel with green sea turtles.

Can you really swim with turtles at Westpunt?

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Yes. Playa Grandi, also called Playa Piscado, is a working fishermen's beach where green sea turtles gather to feed on fish scraps, so you can snorkel alongside them straight from the shore. Keep a respectful distance, do not touch or feed them, and avoid standing on the reef.

Is Westpunt good for diving and snorkeling?

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It is among the best parts of the island for both. The reefs off the western tip are clear, healthy and close to shore, making for easy shore-entry dives and snorkels suitable for a range of experience levels. Facilities are simpler than in the resort areas, so it helps to rent or bring gear in advance.

How far is Westpunt from Willemstad?

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Westpunt is at the far northwestern tip of the island, roughly a 45 minute to one hour drive from Willemstad. A rental car is the practical way to get there, and many visitors combine it with the national parks and beaches of Bandabou on the way.

Are there resorts and restaurants in Westpunt?

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Westpunt is quiet and low-key, with a scattering of villas, guesthouses, dive lodges and simple beach restaurants rather than large resorts or nightlife. Bring water and supplies for beach days, as services thin out at this end of the island. People who stay here come for the scenery and the diving.