ABC Island / Curacao
Spanish Water
Santa Barbara Beach
Klein Curacao
Piscadera Bay
Caracasbaai
Explore Willemstad’s Punda and Otrobanda districts
Cross the Queen Emma pontoon bridge
Snorkel the Curacao Sea Aquarium reef
Hike Christoffel National Park
Tour the Curacao Distillery
Willemstad
Klein Curacao
Christoffel National Park
Shete Boka National Park
Jan Thiel
Curacao sits below the main hurricane belt, so the sailing season runs comfortably longer than on many Caribbean islands, with the driest, sunniest months falling roughly between January and September. A shorter, milder rainy season arrives from October to December, bringing brief afternoon showers rather than sustained bad weather. Trade winds are steady year round, which keeps the island a reliable choice even during the Caribbean’s traditional hurricane months.
Curacao International Airport, also known as Hato (CUR), is the main gateway, with direct flights from the US, several European cities and destinations across South America, including a long-running KLM connection from Amsterdam. It sits close to Willemstad, so transfers to the marina are short. Aruba and Bonaire, the other two ABC Islands, are also within easy reach by boat if you want to extend the itinerary.
Spanish Water, a large, well-protected lagoon on the southeast coast, is the most popular base, with marinas, restaurants and calm water for swimming. Piscadera Bay and Caracasbaai offer quieter alternatives closer to Willemstad, while Klein Curacao, the uninhabited islet roughly two hours offshore, is worth the crossing for a day of genuinely undeveloped beach and clear water away from the main island.
Five to seven days covers Willemstad, the southern coves and a day trip to Klein Curacao without feeling rushed. Because the island is compact, roughly 60 kilometres end to end, most anchorages are within a few hours of each other, so shorter three or four day trips also work well, particularly if paired with a few days ashore exploring Christoffel National Park or the island’s diving.
The Curacao North Sea Jazz Festival, held 3 to 5 September in 2026, is one of the largest music events in the Dutch Caribbean and draws a strong international lineup to Willemstad. It’s a lively time to be on the island, though hotel rooms, marina berths and mooring space fill up well in advance, so charters wanting to combine sailing with the festival should book several months ahead.