Swimming with Sea Turtles in Curaçao: Where to See Them Without Disturbing Them
Swimming alongside a sea turtle is often THE memory people bring home from Curaçao. Good news: turtles live all around the island, and you can meet them in the wild, grazing on seagrass or resting on the reef.
Here’s where to see them without disturbing them, the beach we advise against (and why), and the right habits to follow in the water.
Which sea turtles can you see in Curaçao?
You’ll mostly come across green turtles, which graze on seagrass close to shore, and more rarely hawksbill turtles, easy to spot thanks to their pointed beak, which feed on the reef. Loggerhead turtles also nest on some beaches, particularly on Klein Curaçao. All of these species are endangered and protected.
Playa Piskado: why we advise against it
It’s the spot almost every guide mentions. At Playa Piskado (also called Playa Grandi), in Westpunt, fishermen clean their catch and throw the scraps into the water, and some even hand-feed the turtles in exchange for tips. So the turtles hang around close to shore, surrounded by swimmers.
That’s not a natural encounter, it’s a feeding station. This diet makes them dependent and unhealthy, the crowds stress them, and fishing waste increases the risk of entanglement. Local organizations such as Sea Turtle Conservation Curaçao are working to stop these practices. So we’d rather send you to places where turtles simply live their lives.
👉 To learn more: The Little Green Boat’s article on turtle feeding.
1. Playa Lagun
A cove tucked between two cliffs, where you snorkel along the rock walls. Sea turtles, schools of fish, sometimes squid: it’s one of the prettiest snorkeling spots on the island, with the feel of a small fishing village.
2. Tugboat and Caracas Bay: turtles on a dive
On the southeast side, around Caracasbaai, the underwater landscape is made for shore diving. At Tugboat, you circle the wreck of a coral-covered tugboat, then swim between the submerged pillars of the nearby pier, a truly unique setting. Right next door, Caracas Bay is one of the best places to watch wild turtles grazing and resting, never fed.
From the surface, you only get a glimpse of all this. It’s on a dive, level with the wreck and the reef, that you really enjoy it. And a beginner dive is all it takes: you start where you can stand, with a guide from start to finish.
3. Cas Abao and Playa Kalki
Two great shore snorkeling spots on the west coast. Cas Abao is a beach with facilities (sunbeds, showers, restaurant, paid entry) and a rich reef right at the edge: giant sponges, sea fans, brain corals. Playa Kalki, nicknamed “Alice in Wonderland”, at the far west end, hides amazing coral formations close to shore, and you’ll sometimes spot turtles or eagle rays.
4. Klein Curaçao
Incredibly clear water and turtles often seen close to shore. You get there on a day trip: check out our pick of Klein Curaçao tours.
Turtle etiquette
🐢 Look, don't disturb
✋ Never touch a turtle (even if it comes close).
🍞 Don't feed them – it makes them dependent and sick.
📏 Keep at least 2–3 meters (6–10 ft) away and never block their path when they surface to breathe.
🧴 Use mineral, reef-safe sunscreen – or better still, a UV rash guard.
🦶 Don't stand on the coral.
Why not try scuba diving?
Snorkeling is a lovely first taste… but meeting a turtle underwater, resting on the sand or grazing, without having to come up for air every thirty seconds, is a whole different experience. Our partner The Little Green Boat offers private beginner dives from the shore, in calm areas where you can stand at first, with sea turtles as the favorite highlight. And their rule is the same as ours: no feeding, no chasing, no crowding.
Curaçao snorkeling FAQ
Do I need a guide to snorkel in Curaçao?
No, most spots can be reached from the beach. A guide is still useful if you're not confident in the water or don't have a car to get to the west coast.
Where can I rent gear?
Dive shops and some of the equipped beaches rent masks, snorkels and fins. If you have your own, bring it: it's more hygienic and fits your face better.
Are there currents?
On the west coast, the sea is generally calm. Still, stay in sheltered areas, don't swim far out alone, and avoid the exposed north coast entirely.
How warm is the water?
Around 26–29 °C (79–84 °F) depending on the season: a swimsuit is enough, and a rash guard is mainly for sun protection.
👉 Also worth reading: the most beautiful beaches in Curaçao and, from our friends at The Little Green Boat, how to swim with turtles responsibly.