BlogUpdated: October 16, 2026 · By Mark from NaarCuracao
A sea turtle gliding calmly beneath you: for many people, that’s the highlight of their Curaçao vacation. The good news: lots of turtles live around the island, and you don’t even need to snorkel to see them. In this blog you’ll read where your chances are best, which species you’ll see and how to watch them without disturbing them.
In short
- In Curaçao you mainly see the green sea turtle and the hawksbill turtle; the loggerhead and the leatherback also occur.
- The 4 best spots: Playa Grandi (Playa Piskadó), the west coast around Daaibooi and Porto Mari, Klein Curaçao and Playa Lagun.
- Don’t snorkel? On the glass bottom boat from Playa Daaibooi you see the reef and often turtles right from the boat.
- All sea turtles in Curaçao are protected by law: don’t touch, don’t feed and don’t chase them.
- You can see turtles year-round; go early to the popular spots, when it’s quieter.
Which sea turtles can you see in Curaçao?
Four species of sea turtles occur around Curaçao. They nest here or feed on the reef and in the seagrass. All species are threatened worldwide, and in Curaçao they have been fully protected since 1996 (source: WIDECAST).
| Species | How to recognize it | Chance of seeing one |
|---|---|---|
| Green sea turtle | Rounded head, eats mainly seagrass | High: the turtle you see most often |
| Hawksbill turtle | Pointed beak, beautifully patterned shell | Fair: often near the reef |
| Loggerhead turtle | Large, broad head | Low |
| Leatherback turtle | Huge, with a leathery shell | Very low: mainly comes ashore to lay eggs |
The 4 best spots to see sea turtles in Curaçao
These are the spots where your chances are best, from busy and famous to quiet and surprising.
1. Playa Grandi (Playa Piskadó), Westpunt
The island’s best-known turtle spot. At this little fishing beach in Westpunt, green sea turtles come close to the pier because fishermen clean their catch here. You can often see them from the pier, and even better while swimming.
The downside: it gets busy, especially when cruise ships are in port. Conservation groups are concerned about tourists touching and feeding the animals. So come early, keep your distance and let the fishermen do their work.
2. The west coast around Daaibooi and Porto Mari: by glass bottom boat
Around Playa Daaibooi and along the coast toward Porto Mari, Playa Hunku and Cas Abou lies a beautiful reef, regularly visited by turtles. You can snorkel here yourself, but on the glass bottom boat you see the underwater world without getting wet. After the trip along the reef there’s a 30-minute swim stop at Cas Abou for anyone who still wants to jump in.
3. Klein Curaçao
The uninhabited island off the coast is known for its turtles. You can snorkel out to them right from the beach, and you often spot them from the boat too. Read all the tips in our blog about turtles and snorkeling at Klein Curaçao, or join the Mermaid to Klein Curaçao.
4. Playa Lagun
A small, sheltered bay between the rocks on the west side of the island. The water is usually calm, which makes snorkeling pleasant here, even for less experienced snorkelers. With a bit of luck you’ll swim alongside a turtle.
Which spot suits you?
| Spot | How you see them | Great for |
|---|---|---|
| Playa Grandi | From the pier or snorkeling | Good chances, but often busy |
| Glass bottom boat | Through the glass floor, no snorkeling | Kids, non-swimmers, (grand)parents |
| Klein Curaçao | Snorkeling from the beach | A full day on an uninhabited island |
| Playa Lagun | Snorkeling in a calm bay | Snorkelers who like it quiet |
See sea turtles without snorkeling
On the glass bottom boat you sail from Playa Daaibooi along the reef, from US$ 99 p.p. Only 11 guests go on each trip, and there are two trips a day, Monday to Saturday: so book in time.
See the glass bottom boatSee sea turtles without snorkeling
Not everyone enjoys snorkeling, and with small kids or grandparents it’s not always practical either. Luckily, you don’t have to:
- On the glass bottom boat: you look from a bench through the floor at the reef. Operated by the local company Clear Boat Curaçao, with max. 11 guests on board.
- From the pier at Playa Grandi: the turtles often come right up to the surface here.
- On the Aquafari underwater scooter: you do go underwater, but with your head dry in an air dome. No diving certificate needed.
How to treat sea turtles with respect
Sea turtles are protected by law in Curaçao. Conservation groups such as Sea Turtle Conservation Curaçao and WWF warn that touching and feeding stresses the animals and can make them sick (Curaçao Chronicle). So follow these rules:
- Don’t touch, even if a turtle comes close. In Curaçao it’s actually prohibited.
- Don’t feed them: food changes their behavior and their diet.
- Don’t chase them, and don’t hover above a turtle when it wants to come up for air.
- Keep your distance and watch calmly: that way they often stay around longer.
- Don’t stand on coral or seagrass: it’s their food and habitat.
- Wear reef-safe sunscreen, or a UV shirt.
Tips for your turtle day
- Go early: Playa Grandi is much quieter in the morning.
- Your own snorkel set: fits better than a rental.
- Waterproof camera or a case for your phone.
- Rental car: the best spots are on the west side, about 30–60 minutes’ drive from Willemstad.
- No valuables in the car at beaches: break-ins unfortunately do happen.
- Book in time: the glass bottom boat and the Klein Curaçao trips fill up fast in high season.
Sources
- WIDECAST – Sea turtles in Curaçao: species and legal protection (island decree of 1996).
- Sea Turtle Conservation Curaçao (STCC): the conservation organization that protects turtles and nests in Curaçao.
- Curaçao Chronicle (February 25, 2025): WWF warns against touching and feeding turtles at Playa Piskadó.
FAQ about sea turtles in Curaçao
Where can you see sea turtles in Curaçao?
The best spots are Playa Grandi (Playa Piskadó) in Westpunt, the west coast around Daaibooi and Porto Mari, Klein Curaçao and Playa Lagun. At Playa Grandi you can often see them from the pier.
Can you see sea turtles in Curaçao without snorkeling?
Yes. On the glass bottom boat from Playa Daaibooi you look through the floor of the boat at the reef, where turtles often swim. You also regularly see them from the pier at Playa Grandi.
Which sea turtles live around Curaçao?
You mainly see the green sea turtle and the hawksbill turtle. The loggerhead and the leatherback also occur, but you rarely see them.
Are you allowed to touch sea turtles in Curaçao?
No. Sea turtles are protected by law in Curaçao and touching them is prohibited. Don’t feed or chase them either.
When can you see sea turtles in Curaçao?
You can see turtles around Curaçao all year. At popular spots like Playa Grandi it’s quietest early in the morning.
Are you guaranteed to see turtles on the glass bottom boat?
There’s no guarantee, because it’s nature. But you often see them around Daaibooi and along the west coast, and you always see the reef and the fish.
Look into the sea
Turtles, fish and the reef: on the glass bottom boat you see it all.