Take the wheel of a luxury boat yourself, no boating license needed. Cruise at your own pace across Spanish Water, past some of Curaçao’s most beautiful villas and its rugged nature. Drop anchor wherever you want to swim and tie up at Isla Capitano, a floating private island with sunbeds. 3 hours on the water with your own group of up to 6 people: perfect for couples, families and friends.
- WhereOn Spanish Water, the lagoon near Caracas Bay
- Duration3 hours: 10:00 am–1:00 pm or 2:30–5:30 pm, not on Fridays
- GroupUp to 6 people per boat
- LicenseNot needed; the driver must be 21 or older
- ExtraAccess to the private island Isla Capitano
- PriceUS$ 229 per boat, fuel included
In short
- Drive a luxury boat yourself on Spanish Water, with no boating license needed; the driver must be 21 or older.
- 3 hours on the water with up to 6 people, including fuel, cooler, Bluetooth speaker and access to Isla Capitano.
- US$ 229 per boat. Pay a US$ 34 deposit when you book; the balance is paid online no later than 24 hours before your trip.
- Security deposit of US$350 at check-in. Free changes or cancellation up to 48 hours in advance.
Booking your boat is easy
- Pick your day and time slot10:00 am to 1:00 pm or 2:30 to 5:30 pm (not on Fridays), for up to 6 people.
- Pay the depositYou only pay US$ 34 per boat online, and your boat is reserved.
- Get your confirmationYou’ll receive a confirmation email right away with all the details.
- Pay the balance onlineNo later than 24 hours before your trip, via a payment request from us.
- Check in and set sail!Pay the security deposit, sign the waiver, get your briefing and you’re the captain.
Only two time slots a day
You head out in the morning or the afternoon, 6 days a week, and the number of boats per time slot is limited. In high season and around the holidays, boats are often booked well in advance. Know when you want to go? Lock in your boat right away.
Price, times and location
How much does it cost?
US$ 229 per boat · up to 6 people · 3 hours on the water
- Pay a US$ 34 deposit when you book.
- Pay the balance no later than 24 hours before, via an online payment request.
- At check-in you pay a security deposit of US$350 (or Cg 650 or €350), by credit card or cash.
When and where?
- Times: 10:00 am–1:00 pm or 2:30–5:30 pm, 6 days a week (not on Fridays).
- Check-in: on the Caracas Bay side of Spanish Water, at The Village Marina, right next to the roundabout at the end of Caracasbaaiweg (on the left side of the road).
- Parking: free, close to the dock.
- Getting there: there’s no hotel pickup. On request we can arrange a taxi for you, at an extra cost.
Operated by El Capitano
El Capitano rents out luxury boats on Spanish Water with one goal: everyone should be able to enjoy the freedom of the water, even without a boating license. The boats are stylish, comfortable and fully equipped, from a sunshade roof to a swim ladder.
You drive yourself, but you’re never on your own. An escort boat is always nearby, you have radio contact with the crew and the team is trained in first aid. In their reviews, guests mostly mention the friendly, helpful crew, the clear instructions and the private floating island.
No license needed
A short briefing and a navigation map, and you’re ready to go. Even if you’ve never been behind the wheel of a boat.
Isla Capitano
A floating private island with sunbeds, a picnic table and shade, exclusively for El Capitano guests.
Everything on board
Cooler, Bluetooth speaker, sunshade roof, sun deck, swim ladder and a full tank.
Safety first
Life jackets, marine radio, GPS tracker, speed limiter and an escort boat nearby.
How your boat trip on Spanish Water works
- Check in at the marinaPay the security deposit, show your ID and sign the waiver.
- Briefing and navigation mapYou get a safety briefing and instructions on how to drive the boat, in English or Dutch.
- You’re at the wheelThe boat goes up to 15 km/h (about 9 mph) and is easy to handle. You choose your own route through the lagoon.
- Swim or chill on Isla CapitanoDrop anchor for a swim, or tie up at the private island with sunbeds.
- Back to the marinaAfter 3 hours you return the boat. Dushi!
Spanish Water is lined with some of Curaçao’s most beautiful villas, alternating with rugged, wild nature. Cruise around the lagoon, discover quiet bays and enjoy the view of the Tafelberg. With 3 people or fewer on board, you’ll have the sun deck all to yourselves.
Isla Capitano: your own island for a while
Want to get off the boat for a bit? Tie up at Isla Capitano, El Capitano’s floating private island, with sunbeds, a picnic table and shade. Only El Capitano guests are allowed here. Pure bliss!
Included
- 3 hours of boating, you drive yourself
- Boating instructions and navigation map
- Anchor, full tank of fuel and safety equipment
- Folding sunshade roof, swim ladder and sun deck (with up to 3 people)
- Cooler and Bluetooth speaker
- Access to Isla Capitano
What to bring
- ID (passport or driver’s license) for the driver
- Sunscreen (SPF 50), sunglasses and a hat or cap
- Swimwear (wear it under your clothes) and a beach towel
- Food, drinks and ice for the cooler; above all, plenty of water
- Your own snorkel gear, if you like
Extras such as an underwater scooter, snorkel sets or a fishing rod can be rented from El Capitano. Ask about them when you book.
Good to know
- 21 or older to drive the boat. If in doubt, you’ll be asked for ID at check-in.
- Maximum 6 people per boat, including children and babies. This is set by regulations and insurance, so there are no exceptions.
- Spanish Water only. Going out to open sea is not allowed; the risk of capsizing in the waves is too high.
- Children: emergency life vests for all ages are on board, but they’re not swim vests. If your child can’t swim yet, bring your own swim vest.
- Someone must always stay on board, even at anchor. Pets are not allowed.
- At check-in you sign a waiver and pay the US$350 security deposit.
- Bad weather? In case of strong winds, heavy rain or thunderstorms, your trip will be rescheduled if possible.
- Free changes or cancellation up to 48 hours before your booked date; after that, charges may apply.
Mark’s tips
- Bring ice for the cooler. A bag of ice from the supermarket keeps your drinks cold the whole trip.
- Wear your swimsuit from your hotel. Then you can jump straight in at your first swim stop.
- More than 6 people? Rent two or more boats at the same time and cruise together. Great for a family trip or a group of friends.
- Use plenty of sunscreen. You feel the sun less on the water, but it still burns. Even under the sunshade.
What guests say about the boat rental
Guests rave most about the freedom of driving their own boat, the friendly crew and El Capitano’s private floating island. Read our guests’ experiences at the bottom of this page.
Read all reviews »Write a review »
Why book with NaarCuracao?
- Only a deposit when you book, the balance just before your trip
- No booking fees and a lowest price guarantee
- Rated 4.8 stars on Trustpilot
- Personal service via WhatsApp, even outside office hours
Don’t wait too long
There are only two time slots a day. Book as soon as you know when you want to go; changes or cancellation are free up to 48 hours in advance.
Book your boat
Choose your date and time slot and enter the number of people. Right now you only pay the US$ 34 deposit.
Frequently asked questions about boat rental in Curaçao
Do I need a boating license to rent a boat in Curaçao?
No, you don’t need a boating license. The driver must be at least 21 years old; if in doubt, you’ll be asked for ID at check-in. Before departure you get a safety briefing, instructions on how to drive the boat and a navigation map.
How many people can go on the boat?
A maximum of 6 people per boat, including children and babies. This limit is set by regulations and insurance. If your group is larger, you can rent several boats at the same time and cruise together.
How does payment work?
You pay per boat, not per person. When you book you pay a deposit, and the balance is paid no later than 24 hours before the trip via an online payment request. At check-in you pay a security deposit of US$350 (or Cg 650 or €350), by credit card or cash.
Can I take the boat out to open sea?
No. You stay on Spanish Water, the large lagoon on the southeast side of Curaçao. On open sea the risk of capsizing in the waves is too high. Within the lagoon you choose your own route; all boats have a GPS tracker and a speed limiter.
What is Isla Capitano?
Isla Capitano is El Capitano’s floating private island on Spanish Water, with sunbeds, a picnic table and shade. Only El Capitano guests can tie up there, and access is included in your rental.
Can I bring my own food and drinks?
Yes, you can bring your own food and drinks. There’s a cooler on board; bring your own ice to keep everything cold.
Are children welcome on board?
Yes, children are welcome, as long as your group is 6 people or fewer. Official emergency life vests for all ages are on board. These aren’t swim vests: if your child can’t swim yet, bring your own swim vest.
What happens in bad weather?
In case of strong winds, heavy rain or thunderstorms, El Capitano will try to move your trip to another time. If that’s not possible, we’ll work out a suitable solution together with you.
Can I change or cancel for free?
Yes, changes and cancellations are free up to 48 hours before your booked date. After that, charges may apply. If the balance hasn’t been paid 24 hours before the trip, the booking may be cancelled without a refund of the deposit.
Can I bring my dog on the boat?
No, pets aren’t allowed on board, because they can damage the upholstery and cushions.
Today, you’re the captain
Drive your own boat, swim wherever you like and chill on your own island. No license needed.
