Family Adventures - Curacao Style

Family Fun in the Netherland Antilles

Family fun abounds on the island of Curacao. Whether it's a day exploring beaches, discovering historic architecture, petting an ostrich, or swimming with dolphins - there's much to see and do on this relatively small island. Here's a sampling of some of our favorites:

Adventure on the Bounty
The Bounty looks like an ancient sailing vessel, and is oh so intriguing as a pirate adventure. A combination lunch and snorkel trip, it's a great family adventure for a family on the go. For more see our Family Adventure: The Bounty.

Sea Aquarium:
For a mellow afternoon, take a cruise through the Sea Aquarium. Small by U.S. standards, a visit to this aquarium can be quite educational. With its variety of indigenous sea life, it's a chance to match names with local fish and crustacean species. Catch the feeding of the sea turtles, morays or nurse sharks. Don't miss the dolphin show with some incredible feats by the resident stars. Phone 465-8900

Dolphin Encounter at the Sea Aquarium
Various dolphin and animal encounters are available at the Sea Aquarium. You can swim, snorkel, dive or just hang out with the dolphins. More of a photo op, the Dolphin Encounter program could be more educational in nature, but it gives the kids a chance to pet the dolphins. Older children can swim with the dolphins - but once again, it's more of a photo opportunity (bring your credit card), than an educational experience. Animal encounters are similar and include swimming with the turtles and feeding of the sharks. Week long programs and camps are available.

Floating Market
Boats arrive daily from Venezuela, Colombia and other Wet Indian islands and dock along the Waaigat Canal (in Willemstad) to sell fish, tropical fruits, produce, spices and handicrafts. Pretty cool outing, very colorful, with lots of local interaction.

The Old Market
Located next to the Floating Market, it's one stop shopping for authentic Curacaoan food, crafts and other local items.

Beaches
There are 38 beaches located in Curacao. We loved the seaside cafes, abundant shade (permanent umbrellas and palapas), and the incredible blue water. Some of the more popular beaches include: Barbara Beach, Caracas Bay, Cas Abao, Daaibooi Bay, Jan Thiel, Play Abao, Playa Kalki, Playa Kenepa, Playa Porto Marie, and Westpunt Bay. See our beach adventure review.

Hato Caves
Hourly tours are given of the Hato Caves, a fascinating geological formation of old coral reefs that have developed over centuries. My kids thought this was a "way cool" adventure and enjoyed seeing the stalactites and stalagmites that resembled human forms and animals. Well worth the price of admission.

Maritime Museum
Located in a renovated mansion on the Waaigat inlet just above the floating market, the Maritime Museum's exhibits trace chronologically the History of Curacao. Important artifacts such as antique miniatures, 17th century ship models and maps from the 1500's are on display.

Ostrich & Game Farm
Hang out with the ostrich family and get a chance to see how the ostrich develops from the egg to the biggest and the fastest bird in the world. If you can stomach it, you can taste an ostrich meat or egg meal at the Zambesi Restaurant. Or collect a painted ostrich egg at one of the craft vendors.

Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge
First there was a horn, and then pedestrians started hurrying across the bridge. Amazingly the bridge broke apart and started to swing to the shore to let a passing boat go through. An interesting piece of engineering, the bridge separates the two parts of Willemstad, Punda and Otrabanda, swinging open several times a day to allow access to Curacao's port.

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
With over 68 dive sites, many close to shore, Curacao offers some of the best diving opportunities in the Caribbean. The island's "Mushroom Forest" has been recognized as one of the top dives in the world. Children as young as ten can participate in dive programs (PADI certification, resort certification or shallow dives) and children of all ages can see abundant fish and sea life while snorkeling. Underwater visibility is up to 150 feet.

Seaworld Explorer
A semi-submersible submarine offers passengers a close-up view of Curacao's stunning coral reefs and sea life. At the popular "Tugboat" dive site, a diver feeds the congregating fish.

Senior Curacao Liqueur Factory
In the early 1500's when the Spaniards arrived in Curacao they planted hundreds of orange trees. These trees did not thrive in the arid climate of Curacao and produced an unusual bitter fruit. The fruit, although inedible, could be used to make aromatic oil, which is today used to make the Curacao liqueur. Tours are offered daily of the distillery.

Shete Boka
Shete Boka, meaning seven inlets in Papiamentu, is the island's newest national park. Visitors may hike along the rugged cliffs where the cliffs have carved out dramatic caverns. At the Boka Tabla there's a wide cavern underneath a limestone terrace where you can watch and listen as the surf rolls in.

Willemstad
Willemstad, Curacao's capital, is a collection of historic buildings, which echo Curacao's Dutch roots. A pastel palette of architectural splendor is separated into two sections, Otrobanda to the west, and Punda to the east. Several cafes dot the waterfront, and people watching is a prime vocation. Cruise ships dock on the Otrobanda side, and there are often craft vendors offering up inexpensive souvenirs.

Christoffel Park
At Curacao's highest point on the western end of the island is theChristoffel National Park, a protected 4500-acre wildlife preserve and botanical garden. The park is a sanctuary for animal wildlife such as iguanas, rabbits, donkeys, birds, and the whitetail Curacao deer. At the entrance to the park is the Savonet Plantation House, one of the oldest plantation homes in Curacao and home to the new Museum of National and Cultural History. You may explore the park by foot, horseback, mountain bike, car or jeep. Very hot and arid, guided tours are recommended (offered between 4 and 6:30 pm).

We've only scratched the surface on all that Curacao has to offer. There are so many more museums, historic buildings, and beaches that dot the island. A family adventure in every one.

More on Destination Curacao.

MORE on Curacao adventures at www.curacao-tourism.com.