Klein Curaçao Boat Trip: a Day on the Desert Island with Mermaid
Dreaming of a desert island with endless white sand, turquoise water and an old lighthouse for your only neighbor? Head for Klein Curaçao, the small uninhabited island off Curaçao’s eastern tip.
To get there, we recommend Mermaid Boat Trips, one of the longest-running boats on this crossing: 4.8/5 from over 340 reviews on GetYourGuide, and above all a real bonus on the island: a beach house reserved for its passengers, with shade, sunbeds, restrooms and a dining area.
On the agenda: swimming, snorkeling, a walk to the lighthouse and the shipwreck, breakfast and a barbecue lunch. A lazy beach day just the way we like it – as long as you know what to expect 👇
- Who is this trip for?
It’s the perfect trip if you’re after a relaxing beach day, as a couple, with friends or with family. No diving experience needed: a snorkel mask is provided, and you can just as happily spend the day lounging in the shade.
- Departure at 6:45 am: you’ll need to be a morning person!
- A day of about 9 hours, including roughly 2 hours of crossing each way.
- No departures on Saturdays.
- Kids are welcome, but keep the crossing time in mind for little ones or anyone prone to seasickness.
Before you book: the crossing
Klein Curaçao has to be earned: the trip takes about 2 hours, and on the way out the boat heads into the wind and waves. Depending on the weather, it can get pretty bumpy. On the way back, with the swell behind you, it's much smoother.
If you're prone to seasickness, take precautions (medication the night before and in the morning, a light breakfast, a seat at the back of the boat): it's the only real downside of the day, and it's well worth it.
- What nobody else will tell you:
My goal is to be 100% transparent with you, not to sell you a trip at any cost. I’ve combed through travelers’ reviews so you know exactly what to expect:
🪑 Slightly hard benches: this is the most common remark. The boat is sturdy and built for the open sea, but it’s no luxury yacht: you’ll feel 2 hours of sitting. A folded towel under you works wonders.
🥐 A simple breakfast: it’s served on the island and does the job, but some travelers found it basic. The barbecue lunch (chicken, pork ribs, burgers, corn, salads, fruit), on the other hand, gets rave reviews across the board.
🍺 Alcohol isn’t included: juices and soft drinks are. Beer, wine and mixed drinks cost $5, cocktails $10. Bring some cash in US dollars.
🏖️ The beach house, the real bonus: on an island without a single tree worth mentioning, shade is precious. Mermaid passengers get their own area with palapas, sunbeds, restrooms and tables – that’s what sets it apart from other boats.
🐠 Snorkeling: fewer fish than you’d think: the water is incredibly clear and you’ll often see sea turtles, but a few travelers found the marine life less abundant than at some spots on Curaçao. Masks are provided, but not always fins – if you have your own, bring them.
🗣️ A multilingual crew: the crew speaks English, Dutch, Spanish and Portuguese, so you’ll have no trouble communicating.
🐢 A protected island: Klein Curaçao is a sea turtle nesting site. Respect the marked areas on the beach and never touch a turtle in the water.
☀️ A merciless sun: even in the shade, the glare off the white sand is intense. Sunscreen (ideally mineral, to protect the reef), a hat and a UV shirt are your best friends.
Did you know?
Klein Curaçao (“Little Curaçao” in Dutch) covers just 1.7 km² (0.65 sq mi). Its lighthouse was built in the mid-19th century, and the wreck stranded on the windward shore, the oil tanker Maria Bianca Guidesman, has been slowly falling apart there since the late 1980s. Since 2018, the island has been listed as a Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar site), notably for the turtles that come ashore to nest.
- Klein Curaçao trip prices with Mermaid
💡 GetYourGuide price converted to US dollars (€1 ≈ $1.14, September 2026). The exact amount is shown when you book.
What’s included:
- Round-trip boat ride to Klein Curaçao
- Exclusive access to the Mermaid Beach House (shade, palapas, sunbeds, restrooms)
- Coffee and tea on board
- Breakfast and barbecue lunch on the island
- Juices and soft drinks
- Snorkel mask
- A booklet for your walk around the island
Not included: alcoholic drinks ($5 to $10), scuba diving (on request, depending on your level), massage (book on site).
- How the day unfolds
🕕 6:45 am: meet at the fishermen’s pier on Caracasbaaiweg (Jan Thiel / Spanish Water area). There’s parking for the day.
☕ The crossing: about 2 hours, with complimentary coffee or tea. In the distance, you’ll see the lighthouse and the wreck appear.
🏝️ Arrival on the island: settle in at the beach house, have breakfast, then swim, snorkel, play beach volleyball or nap.
🚶 A walk: you can cross the island on foot – head to the lighthouse, then to the windward shore where the wreck lies. Wear shoes: the ground is scorching and sometimes rocky.
🍗 Lunchtime: barbecue lunch in the shade.
⛵ Return: in the late afternoon, usually calmer since the swell is behind you.
- What to bring
- Swimsuit, towel and a UV shirt or rash guard
- Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses
- Your fins if you have them
- Shoes for the walk to the lighthouse
- Some cash in US dollars for drinks
- Seasickness medication if you need it
Klein Curaçao FAQ
How long is the crossing to Klein Curaçao?
With Mermaid, allow about 2 hours from Spanish Water. There are faster boats, but the crossing is still on the open sea, east of the island.
Will I get seasick?
It depends on the weather and on you. The outbound trip, into the wind, is the roughest part. If you're prone to it, take suitable medication and sit at the back of the boat.
Can I go scuba diving at Klein Curaçao?
Yes, as an option depending on your level – contact the organizer in advance. If you'd like to try diving in Curaçao first, take a look at our diving page.
Can kids come along?
Yes, the trip is family-friendly. Just keep in mind the length of the day (about 9 hours) and the early start.
Will we see sea turtles?
Often, but it's nature – nothing is guaranteed. The island is a protected nesting site, so watch from a distance and don't touch.
What happens if the weather is bad?
If the organizer cancels the trip, you get a refund. And on your side, cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure.
👉 Want to know more before booking? Read our complete guide: Klein Curaçao: how to get there and which trip to choose.
