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Is A Day Trip to Klein Curaçao Worth It?

ByMelissa

A day trip to Klein Curaçao looks unreal in photos: crystal clear water, a tiny uninhabited island, and that iconic lighthouse sitting in the distance. 

But what most people don’t tell you is that it takes over an hour to get there, the boat ride can be rough, and the tour you choose will completely shape whether you enjoy the experience or spend the day exhausted.

I’m glad I did a Klein Curacao day trip, it was memorable and unique – but I also wouldn’t recommend it if long, sometimes bumpy boat rides make you anxious.

From what a Klein Curaçao day trip is actually like to what surprised me once I arrived, plus a few practical tips I wish I had known – I’ll help you decide if it’s worth it for you.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post on behalf of BlueFinn Charters. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

What a Day Trip to Klein Curaçao Is Really Like

A day visiting Klein Curaçao somehow feels slow and fast at the same time. 

Once you’re on the island, time stretches out as you’re swimming, floating, relaxing, and doing absolutely nothing. But the day as a whole moves quickly because the schedule is anchored to the boat.

Upon arrival, we had the option to swim to shore or take a small dinghy. I chose to swim, which I loved, but there is a current that makes it a bit slow to swim to shore. Choose the dinghy if you want to save your energy.

And it’s worth knowing that whatever you bring onto the island with you stays there until it’s time to leave. You can’t bring your stuff back to the boat during lunch. But, your bag can go to shore via the dinghy upon arrival if you choose to swim.

You also don’t have to get off the boat at all. A few people stayed onboard for most of the day and just relaxed while enjoying the scenery of white sand and turquoise water.

Your time on the island is mostly free, with one main rule: be back at the boat in time for lunch.

The Boat Ride to Klein Curaçao: How Rough Is It?

Let’s talk about the part everyone worries about: the boat trip to Klein Curaçao.

I went with BlueFinn for my Klein Curacao tour, so my experience is based on getting to the island via a catamaran.

The ride out on a catamaran takes 1.5-2 hours, and yes, it can be rough sometimes. Curacao has daily trade winds from the east, so the boat sails against the wind on the way to Klein Curacao. When the wind is extra rough it can take 3 hours to get there.

This is one of the more adventurous day trips you can take from Curacao.

On most days, the boat gets completely soaked. But on my day, when I thought it was rough, the crew said conditions were “good,” and that was only half the boat getting soaked.

They warned us at the start to put everything you don’t want wet below deck, and I’m glad I listened. I also found that sitting toward the back of the boat was much more comfortable and resulted in less spray. The people on the front nets of the catamaran were drenched, and a poor guy at the front of the boat spent part of the trip puking in a bucket.

The ride back was a totally different story – smooth, relaxing, and honestly a really nice way to wind down. Getting there felt like an adventure. Coming back felt like a reward. Everyone felt much more relaxed.

If you’re prone to seasickness, this ride is doable – but make sure you take your Dramamine and sit at the back of the boat.

Want to get there faster? Different types of tour boats take different amounts of time to get to Little Curacao, with a powerboat being the fastest.

What to Do on Klein Curaçao

The best part about having no schedule on your Klein Curaçao trip is that you can choose how you want to spend your time. (Minus being back on time for lunch)

Relaxing on the Beach

The beach is as beautiful as it looks – powdery sand, clear water, and that “Little Curaçao” feeling of being far removed from everything. There are shared palapas for shade, which made a huge difference in comfort. I used my umbrella when not under the palapas.

Go Snorkelling

You can snorkel both near shore and around the boat. Now, it’s not like a lot of the snorkelling you’ll find at the beaches on Curacao mainland, although I found the snorkelling at Klein Curacao was better by the boat. That’s where I saw the most fish. And later, I did see a small sea turtle just off the shore, which was a highlight of the trip.

I’ve also heard that people snorkel closer to the edges of the island and have seen stingrays.

Eat Lunch on the Boat

Lunch was served back on the boat and was actually delicious – fresh, filling, and exactly what I needed after having been in the heat all morning. 

Served buffet-style options included salad, pasta, fish, ribs, chicken, and the most delicious steak. Something about steak in Curacao is super yummy. And don’t skip the peanut butter sauce! It goes with every meat.

This is also when everyone regrouped and shifted into a more relaxed, end-of-day energy.

Hike to The Lighthouse

The Klein Curaçao lighthouse is iconic, but walking to it is a bit more of a commitment than it looks. The island is windy, exposed, and hot – and the path is rocky. Depending on which side of the beach your boat docks, it’s a 5 – 20 minute walk.

I had planned to walk to it, but changed my mind because of how hot the day was. Be careful with your footing when exploring inside the Lighthouse as it is slowly crumbling.

Visit the Shipwrecks

On the opposite side of the island that you anchor on, there are two shipwrecks on the shore. One is a half-gone wreck of the Maria Bianca Guidesman tanker ship, and the other is a crashed speedboat. If you are already out walking to the lighthouse, you can take a detour to the shipwrecks after, before heading back to the beach.

Look For Turtles

Klein Curacao has an important green turtle nesting area, beside the area where you rest on the beach. If you go for a walk along the beach, you can look at the roped off area for turtles or in the waters in front of it. This is the area of the water where I saw a small turtle swimming. Remember not to cross the rope and don’t touch turtles if you see them!

Practical Info About Klein Curaçao

How Big Is Klein Curaçao?

Small – but deceptively so. You can see most of the island from one spot, yet walking across it in full sun feels longer than you’d expect. It’s about 2km in length and about 800m in width. It takes about 1-2 hours to explore it on foot.

Is There Shade?

Yes, there are palapas on the beach. They are shared, but without them, this trip would feel much more intense.

Are There Bathrooms?

Mermaid Tours has the only bathrooms on the island, but there are bathrooms on your boat.

How to Get to Klein Curaçao

The only way to get from Curacao to Klen Curacao is by boat. 

When comparing different boat tours in Curacao, Klein Curacao trips vary the most in comfort and vibe.

I went with BlueFinn Charters, which uses a catamaran. That meant more stability, more space, comfortable seating, and a calmer overall vibe. Except for the ride to get to Little Curacao, as you are going against the wind and hit all the waves, but it’s not something they can control. Worth it for the trade-off of being a slower boat to reach the island.

If You Decide to Go

If you decide a day trip to Klein Curacao is right for you, the biggest factor that will shape your experience is the boat you choose.

Comfort, group size, seating, shade, and onboard amenities matter far more than focusing only on the price. You’re not just booking transportation – you are booking how the entire day feels. You spend a lot of time on the boat. 

When planning your Curacao itinerary, Klein Curaçao fits better later in your stay, paired with lighter days before or after, so you’re not exhausted.

What to Bring

Bring everything you’ll need for the day:

  • Swimsuit
  • Towel
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Hat
  • Water
  • Snacks
  • Swim cover-up
  • Sea sickness meds – I took it and felt just fine
I sat towards the back of the boat on the way to Klein Curacao – not knowing it was better. By the time this photo was taken, people not okay getting wet had moved further back on the boat or were standing by the bar.

Visiting Tips

  • Take seasickness medication, even if you’re unsure you need it
  • Sit toward the back of the boat on the way to Klein Curacao
  • Put valuables below deck immediately to avoid getting them wet
  • Don’t overplan — this is a slow, sun-soaked day

So, Is a Day Trip to Klein Curaçao Worth It?

Yes, a day trip to Klein Curacao is worth it if you’re okay with a long day, some unpredictability, and a boat ride that can be bumpy on the way there.

For me, it was the perfect way to spend our last day in Curaçao. I noticed many people on our tour were also visiting at the end of their trip.

If you’re already feeling tired, don’t love long boat rides, or are short on time, skipping this trip doesn’t mean you are missing out. 

Curacao has plenty of beautiful beaches and fun experiences that don’t take a full day. 

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Melissa is the founder of My Beautiful Passport. A Canadian who has explored 20+ countries on 4 continents, she enjoys combining soft adventure and affordable luxury. Through sharing her own experiences, travel tips, and destination itineraries, she helps others plan their unique adventures whether it be at the beach, in the city, or in the mountains.