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Curaçao Marine Park
Photo: dronepicr via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)
Jan ThielMarine Protected Area

Curaçao Marine Park

Curaçao's protected reef wall along the leeward coast

DifficultyEasy snorkeling to advanced shore and wall diving
Area100 km²
DurationA few hours to a full diving day
Type
Marine Protected Area
Entry fee
No general entry fee; some dive sites and beaches charge access or a nature fee
Difficulty
Easy snorkeling to advanced shore and wall diving
Duration
A few hours to a full diving day
Guide
Self-guided OK
Area
100 km²
Established
Long-protected leeward reef zone managed by CARMABI
Best time
Year-round; mornings for the calmest, clearest water
Hours
Open water, accessible year-round in daylight
Elevation
Depth varies
UNESCO
Not a UNESCO site
Cell coverage
Good near the resort coast and beaches
Camping
Not allowed
FacilitiesDive OperatorsEquipment RentalBeach Access PointsDive Moorings
Key speciesHawksbill turtleQueen parrotfishFrench angelfishSpotted moray eelSeahorseBrain coral
Key featuresShore-accessible reef wallVertical drop-offsDozens of dive sitesHigh visibility year-roundWreck dives
TrailsShore-dive entries along the leeward coastSnorkel trails at reef-fringed beaches
What to bringMask, snorkel and finsReef-safe sunscreenWater shoesUnderwater cameraDive certification if diving
WarningsDo not touch or stand on the coral; it is fragile and protected.Currents vary along the coast, so check conditions before a shore dive.Use reef-safe sunscreen to protect the marine life.
The park

Curaçao Marine Park

The protected reef park running along the calm leeward south coast. Fringing reefs and steep drop-offs sit just offshore, feeding some of the best shore diving and snorkeling in the Caribbean.

The Curaçao Marine Park protects the underwater world along the sheltered leeward south coast, the southeast side of the island, where sea conditions can be relatively rough. Rather than a fenced reserve, it is a managed zone of fringing reef that hugs the shoreline, then plunges over a vertical drop-off into deep blue. That close-to-shore reef wall is exactly what makes Curaçao a world-class destination for divers and snorkelers.

Because the reef begins so near the beach, Curaçao is famous for shore diving, simply walking in from the sand and finning out to the wall, with no boat required. Dozens of named sites line the coast, from easy sandy entries to dramatic walls draped in sponges and soft coral, and several feature deliberate wrecks and dive markers.

Marine life and access

The reefs shelter parrotfish, angelfish, moray eels, seahorses, and turtles, with the chance of larger pelagics out over the drop-off. Public land access to the marine park's private coastline is restricted. Elsewhere on Curaçao, snorkelers do well at beaches such as Playa Porto Mari and Cas Abao.

  • Stay off the coral, take only photos, and use reef-safe sunscreen; the park depends on visitors treating it gently.
  • Shore-diving conditions are easiest in the morning before the afternoon breeze picks up.
  • Dive with a local operator if you are new to the sites; entries and currents vary along the coast.

Sea conditions in the marine park can be relatively rough, so check conditions with a local operator before diving.

Before you go

Park information

Entry feeNo general entry fee; some dive sites and beaches charge access or a nature fee
Opening hoursOpen water, accessible year-round in daylight
DifficultyEasy snorkeling to advanced shore and wall diving
Guide requiredNo
Recommended durationA few hours to a full diving day
Best time to visitYear-round; mornings for the calmest, clearest water
ElevationDepth varies
Area100 km²
Nearest townWillemstad
Visit official website →Get directions →

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In pictures

Photo gallery

Wreck off Jan Thiel in the Curaçao Marine Park

Photo: dronepicr via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)

Good to know

Park questions

The fringing reef on the calm leeward coast starts very close to shore and then drops over a steep wall into deep water. That means you can walk in from the beach, fin out a short way, and reach a vibrant reef wall with no boat required, which is why Curaçao is one of the world's top shore-diving destinations.