VacationUpdated: October 2026 · By Nienke from NaarCuracao
Kleine Knip and Grote Knip: Curaçao’s best-known beaches
Powder-white sand, crystal-clear blue water and a view straight off a postcard. Kleine Knip and Grote Knip sit side by side on the west side of Curaçao, on the grounds of Landhuis Kenepa (Knip). Almost every visitor ends up here, and locals love these beaches too. We totally get why! Grote Knip is the most photographed beach on the island; Kleine Knip is its quieter little sibling next door.
- WhereWestpunt, on the Landhuis Kenepa estate
- DriveAbout 1 hour from Willemstad
- EntryFree; public beaches with no opening hours
- Sunbeds2 sunbeds + umbrella: US$ 20 (Cg 35) per day
- Food and toiletsOnly at Grote Knip
- SnorkelingAt both beaches, with a good chance of seeing turtles
In short
- Two public beaches about a 1-minute drive apart, on the west side of Curaçao. No entrance fee and no opening hours.
- Kleine Knip is quieter with easy access to the water, but has no toilet and no food.
- Grote Knip is more touristy, with a snack bar, smoothies, toilets and a famous lookout point. You reach the beach by a staircase.
- Sunbeds and umbrellas for rent: 2 sunbeds with an umbrella for US$ 20 (Cg 35). On weekends, Grote Knip in particular gets very busy.
Kleine Knip or Grote Knip?
You don’t really have to choose: the two beaches are about a 1-minute drive apart, so it’s easy to visit both in one day. They do differ on a few points.
Kleine Knip (Playa Kenepa Chiki)
- Usually quieter, even when other beaches are busy
- A gentle slope into the sea, no water shoes needed
- Snorkel sets, kayaks and inflatables for rent
- Cards accepted at the rental
- No toilet and no food
Grote Knip (Playa Kenepa Grandi)
- Curaçao’s most photographed beach, with a famous lookout point
- Snack bar, smoothies, coffee and beer
- Toilets and a shower (Cg 1 or US$ 1 per use)
- Cliff jumping on both sides of the bay
- Very busy on weekends; the beach is reached by a staircase
How to get to Knip
From downtown Willemstad it’s about an hour’s drive to Kleine Knip. The route is well signposted; look for “Knip” on the signs along the road.
- Road to WestpuntFrom Willemstad, follow the Weg naar Westpunt (the road to Westpunt).
- Left after Tera KoráJust past Tera Korá, turn left onto Kaminda Monica Kapel Matheeuw.
- Right at LagunWatch out at Lagun: turn right at the beach, or you’ll end up driving into the village.
- Follow the Knip signYou’ll soon see a sign for the turn-off to Knip. Grote Knip is about 1 minute further on.
Kleine Knip (Playa Kenepa Chiki)
A few years ago, Kleine Knip offered little more than white sand and bright blue sea. These days it’s an increasingly pleasant beach. The small strip of sand has plenty of sunbeds with umbrellas for rent, plus palapas (shade huts), some with picnic tables. Plenty of shade, in other words.
Perfect for snorkeling
The water is easy to get into. Forgot your gear? You can rent a snorkel set on the spot.
Clear kayaks
Rent a see-through kayak and look straight down into the sea. Prefer something more stable? Go for an Ocean Kayak XL and take a scenic paddle.
Cards accepted
No need to pay cash for your sunbed or kayak.
Bring a cooler
There’s no food and no toilet. An ice cream truck does regularly stop by the parking lot, though.
Officially, barbecuing isn’t allowed at Kleine Knip. Even so, locals often do it, and nobody enforces the rule.
Grote Knip (Playa Kenepa Grandi)
Less than a minute’s drive from Kleine Knip lies Grote Knip. The water is just as clear and the sand just as white, but the beach is more touristy. You’ll notice that as soon as you pull into the nicely landscaped parking lot. From the famous lookout point you can see the whole bay: the spot for that perfect vacation photo.
Food and drinks
A snack bar and a stand selling fresh fruit smoothies, plus soft drinks, coffee and beer. Vendors regularly walk the beach selling cocktails.
Toilets and shower
Unlike Kleine Knip, there are toilets and a shower here. It’s Cg 1 or US$ 1 per use, so bring some small change.
Snorkeling with turtles
Bring your own snorkel set or rent one. There’s a pretty good chance you’ll spot sea turtles here.
Cliff jumping
On both sides of the bay you can jump off the rocks into the sea. Rather relax? Your sunbed gives you a front-row view of the jumpers.
A fun extra: little pigs roam around Grote Knip. It’s a funny sight, but don’t leave your bag unattended. Before you know it, they’ve eaten the chips or cookies you were looking forward to.
How much does a sunbed cost at Knip?
Prices
- 2 sunbeds with umbrella: US$ 20 (Cg 35) per day
- Toilet (Grote Knip): Cg 1 or US$ 1 per use
- Shower (Grote Knip): Cg 1 or US$ 1 per use
You can pay in US dollars or Caribbean guilders. Prices may change.
Prefer free?
Bring your own chairs or a towel and lie on the sand. At Kleine Knip you’ll also find shade under the palapas. Both beaches are public, so there’s no entrance fee.
Good to know
- Weekends: Grote Knip is one of the most popular beaches among locals then. Lively, but busy.
- No toilet at Kleine Knip. For toilets, food and drinks, drive on to Grote Knip.
- Stairs down to Grote Knip: this makes the beach less suitable for wheelchair users or people with limited mobility. The sloping path isn’t finished and ends about half a meter above the sand.
- Pigs: don’t leave food unattended at Grote Knip.
- No Wi-Fi at either beach.
- Barbecuing is officially not allowed at Kleine Knip.
Nienke’s tips
- Go on a weekday. To avoid the crowds, skip the weekend. Kleine Knip is quieter anyway.
- Combine the two. Lounge at quiet Kleine Knip and drive over to Grote Knip for a smoothie or lunch.
- Bring a cooler. Especially if you’re spending the whole day at Kleine Knip.
- Stop at the lookout point. Above Grote Knip you’ll get the best photo of the bay.
Frequently asked questions about Kleine Knip and Grote Knip
Where are Kleine Knip and Grote Knip?
Both beaches are on the west side of Curaçao, near Westpunt, on the grounds of Landhuis Kenepa. It’s about an hour’s drive from Willemstad. The beaches are about a 1-minute drive apart.
Do you have to pay to enter Kleine Knip and Grote Knip?
No. They’re public beaches: there’s no entrance fee and no opening hours. You only pay for sunbeds, umbrellas, toilets and the shower.
How much does a sunbed cost at Knip?
A set of 2 sunbeds with an umbrella costs US$ 20 per day (Cg 35).
Are there toilets and places to eat?
At Grote Knip, yes: there’s a snack bar, a smoothie stand, toilets and a shower (Cg 1 or US$ 1 per use). Kleine Knip has no toilet and no food, so bring a cooler.
Can you snorkel at Kleine Knip and Grote Knip?
Yes, at both beaches. You can rent a snorkel set at Kleine Knip. At Grote Knip there’s a good chance you’ll see sea turtles.
Is Grote Knip wheelchair accessible?
Not really. You reach the beach by a staircase. The sloping path isn’t finished and ends about half a meter above the sand. Kleine Knip is easier to access.
When is Knip less busy?
On weekdays. On weekends, Grote Knip in particular is very popular with locals. At Kleine Knip you can usually still find a quiet spot.
Prefer a different beach?
Curaçao has dozens of bays, from lively and social to hidden and peaceful.