{"id":80482,"date":"2026-07-19T13:04:07","date_gmt":"2026-07-19T11:04:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.naarcuracao.com\/?p=80482"},"modified":"2026-10-07T13:53:58","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T11:53:58","slug":"where-is-klein-curacao","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.naarcuracao.com\/en\/where-is-klein-curacao\/","title":{"rendered":"Where is Klein Cura\u00e7ao? Facts about the uninhabited island"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
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Updated: October 2, 2026 · By Nienke, NaarCuracao editorial team in Cura\u00e7ao<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

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Everyone on Cura\u00e7ao talks about it, but where exactly is Klein Cura\u00e7ao? How big is it, does anyone live there, and why does every source give a different distance? I’ve lined up the facts for you, with sources.<\/p>\n

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In short<\/h3>\n

Klein Cura\u00e7ao is an uninhabited island of \u00b1 1.7 km\u00b2 in the Caribbean Sea, about 10 km southeast of Cura\u00e7ao (\u00b1 12 km from the island’s eastern tip). From the departure harbors, the boat ride is \u00b1 25\u201327 km. There’s no ferry: you can only get there on an organized boat trip or a private boat. Since 2018 the island has been a protected Ramsar site, with nesting sea turtles.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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Where is Klein Cura\u00e7ao?<\/h2>\n

Klein Cura\u00e7ao lies in the Caribbean Sea, about 10 km southeast of Cura\u00e7ao<\/strong>. From the eastern tip of Cura\u00e7ao, it’s \u00b1 12 km.<\/p>\n

Its coordinates are 11\u00b059’N 68\u00b038’W. The island belongs to Cura\u00e7ao and is low and flat, with the pink lighthouse as its only real landmark.<\/p>\n

\"White
The white beach on the west side of Klein Cura\u00e7ao, where the day-trip boats moor.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n
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Klein Cura\u00e7ao facts and figures<\/h2>\n

Below are the key facts at a glance, each with its source, so you know exactly where every number comes from.<\/p>\n

\n \n \n
Fact<\/th>Value<\/th>Source<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n
Location<\/td>\u00b1 10 km southeast of Cura\u00e7ao (\u00b1 12 km from the eastern tip); 11\u00b059’N 68\u00b038’W<\/td>Wikipedia<\/a>, Ramsar RIS 2355<\/a><\/td><\/tr>\n
Sailing distance from the departure harbors<\/td>\u00b1 25\u201327 km<\/td>NaarCuracao<\/td><\/tr>\n
Area<\/td>\u00b1 1.7 km\u00b2<\/td>Wikipedia<\/a><\/td><\/tr>\n
Population<\/td>0 (uninhabited)<\/td>Wikipedia<\/a><\/td><\/tr>\n
Protected status<\/td>Ramsar wetland since July 31, 2018, site no. 2355, 248.5 ha (incl. sea and reef)<\/td>Ramsar RIS 2355<\/a><\/td><\/tr>\n
Lighthouse<\/td>First tower 1850; current complex 1877\u20131879; \u00b1 20 m; protected monument since 2003<\/td>curacaomonuments.org<\/a>, Wikipedia<\/a><\/td><\/tr>\n
Shipwreck<\/td>Oil tanker Maria Bianca Guidesman, ran aground in the late 1980s (usually given as 1988)<\/td>Wikipedia<\/a><\/td><\/tr>\n
Turtles<\/td>Hawksbill turtles and green sea turtles nest here<\/td>Ramsar RIS 2355<\/a><\/td><\/tr>\n
Management plan<\/td>June 2025: permits, mooring buoys, composting toilets, ban on drones and shell collecting<\/td>Cura\u00e7ao Chronicle (2025)<\/a><\/td><\/tr>\n
Access<\/td>Only by boat trip or private boat; no ferry service<\/td>NaarCuracao<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n
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How far is Klein Cura\u00e7ao from Cura\u00e7ao?<\/h2>\n

The distance between the islands is 10\u201312 km<\/strong>, but the boat ride is \u00b1 25\u201327 km<\/strong>. That difference explains why you’ll find so many different numbers online.<\/p>\n

Wikipedia gives about 10 km southeast of Cura\u00e7ao; measured from the eastern tip, it’s \u00b1 12 km. But no boat leaves from that eastern tip. Trips depart from Jan Thiel, Caracasbaai, the Vissershaven (fishing harbor), Santa Barbara Beach or Marina Kima Kalki, and from there the boats first have to head east along the coast.<\/p>\n

Elsewhere you’ll see 13, 16 or even 25 km. Those aren’t mistakes, just different reference points: sometimes the distance between the coastlines, sometimes the sailing route.<\/p>\n

How long the crossing takes depends mostly on your boat: \u00b1 45 minutes on the fast Powerboat<\/a>, about 1 hour on the Miss Ann<\/a> motor yacht or the Catamaran Yacht<\/a>, and \u00b1 1.5 to 1\u00be hours on a catamaran or the Mermaid. The way out goes against the wind and waves; the way back is usually calmer. More on that in Klein Cura\u00e7ao and seasickness<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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How big is Klein Cura\u00e7ao?<\/h2>\n

Klein Cura\u00e7ao is about 1.7 km\u00b2<\/strong>. You can walk all the way around the island in \u00b1 1 hour.<\/p>\n

The protected Ramsar site is larger, 248.5 hectares, because the surrounding sea and coral reef are included. So don’t be confused if you see that number somewhere.<\/p>\n

The island is completely flat. That’s partly due to phosphate mining between 1871 and 1886, which lowered it by about 3 meters. The highest point you’ll see is the pink lighthouse, at \u00b1 20 meters.<\/p>\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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Does anyone live on Klein Cura\u00e7ao?<\/h2>\n

No, Klein Cura\u00e7ao is uninhabited<\/strong>. There are no houses, stores, electricity, drinking water or medical services.<\/p>\n

There is an old beach house, though, plus the beach houses of tour operators like Miss Ann and Mermaid. They’re only used during the day by the day trips.<\/p>\n

The island does have a history: it was used as a quarantine site during the slave trade and for phosphate mining.<\/p>\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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How do you get to Klein Cura\u00e7ao?<\/h2>\n

Only on an organized boat trip<\/strong> or a private boat<\/strong>. There is no ferry service.<\/p>\n

Most people choose a day trip with breakfast, a BBQ lunch and drinks included. The options vary a lot: from a festive catamaran to a relaxed motor yacht with a beach house, or a fast RIB for up to 18 people.<\/p>\n

Traveling with a group, your family or for a special occasion? Then a private boat<\/a> can be worth it from as few as \u00b1 6\u20138 people. Always with a captain, since that’s required on Cura\u00e7ao.<\/p>\n

You’ll find all trips side by side, with prices and departure times, on our Klein Cura\u00e7ao page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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What wildlife can you see on Klein Cura\u00e7ao?<\/h2>\n

Klein Cura\u00e7ao is one of Cura\u00e7ao’s most important natural areas: sea turtles nest here<\/strong> and least terns<\/strong> breed here.<\/p>\n

Hawksbill turtles and green sea turtles nest on the beach; it’s Cura\u00e7ao’s most important nesting beach. You’ll often spot them in the water while snorkeling, although that’s never guaranteed.<\/p>\n

Along the east coast lies an almost untouched coral reef with endangered elkhorn and staghorn corals. The surf is rough there, though; you snorkel on the calm west side by the beach.<\/p>\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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What are the rules on Klein Cura\u00e7ao?<\/h2>\n

In short: take nothing, leave nothing behind and leave the wildlife alone. In June 2025 the government of Cura\u00e7ao submitted a management plan<\/strong> to protect the fragile island (Cura\u00e7ao Chronicle<\/a>).<\/p>\n