Klein Curaçao day trip

Klein Curaçao is a flat, wind-scoured coral island with no one living on it, about 15 miles off Curaçao's southeast point. Most of what you will see is white sand, a pink lighthouse on its own in the scrub, and the rusting wreck of a ship that ran aground on the beach years ago. The snorkelling is the draw: a reef with a vertical drop-off, a couple of small underwater caves, and sea turtles seen on most trips.

The boats leave early in the morning, from the fishermen's pier at Spanish Water and from Jan Thiel and Caracas Bay, and follow the south coast past Fuik and the protected Oostpunt before turning out to sea. Count on close to two hours each way across open water, and the crossing can be rough. Once anchored you swim in or take the dinghy, and the boat stays until mid afternoon. A buffet or barbecue lunch, soft drinks and beer are part of the day, masks are lent out, and one boat has the only beach house on the island, with a thatched shelter and toilets.

Some boats leave later, stay on after the crowds go and come back at sunset.