Glide in Comfort or Ride in Style
Sail, kite or paddle. No matter what moves the board, Curacao has water you want. On both sides of the island, coastal inlets open to inland lagoons sheltered from ocean swells. Some receive the full force of the trade winds, allowing kiters and windsurfers to enjoy speed runs in flat water, or play in the chop on the downwind side of the lagoon. The scene changes at the island’s largest inland body of water, where sheltering hills block the wind to create calm conditions. Here, SUP riders can take in wild mangrove-lined channels and coves lined with upscale villas. Paddlers can also explore sheltered coastal bays or venture farther offshore to play in the waves.
Highlights
- Best for: Everyone, solos, couples and families looking for watersports and adventures from soft to rugged
- Best season to visit: Year-round, as it's below the hurricane belt
- Weather: Steady easterly trade winds, sunny and dry in the winter with temperature in the 70s. Summer sees mid 80s in the daytime, with occasional evening showers
Curacao Information
Board Sports in Curacao Overview
The north shore of Curacao is lined by surf-washed cliffs inhospitable to riders. The south coast has some bays and near-shore areas suitable for intermediate and advanced windsurfers, kiters and—on calmer days—SUPS tours. But most riding and paddling takes place in one of several inland lagoons. Two offer steady winds for sailors, while the large lagoon known as Spanish Waters is more sheltered and a favorite with SUP riders.
Board Sports in Curacao Tips
While kitesurfers and windsurfers need a steady breeze and may enjoy a bit of chop or ocean swells, SUP riders typically prefer calmer water and minimal wind. Seas can get glassy-calm in October and November. The rest of the year, SUP tours often begin with an upwind boat ride within a sheltered lagoon, creating easy downwind trips.
Best Places for Board Sports in Curacao
SUP tours across the Spanish Waters take in everything from mangrove forests to upscale waterfront villas. In calm weather, paddlers can continue around the Caracasbay peninsula to open water. Eastern trade winds power riders across the shallow waters of Sint Joris Bay. A sheltering coastline makes Playa Grandi SUP friendly. The lagoon at Sint Willibrordus is a favorite with both windsurfers and kiteboarders.
What to Pack for Board Sports in Curacao
Board shorts, grippy water shoes and a lycra rash guard are standard for kiters and sailors. SUP riders can add on a brimmed hat for sun protection and a small backpack to hold water and a waterproof camera. To avoid loss in the event of a spill, tether sunglasses to a floating strap.
Passport and/or Visa Requirements
Entry Requirements: A valid passport is required for U.S. Citizens with at least one blank page for passport entry stamp. No visa is required for entry.
Exit Requirements: There is a departure tax of $39(US) per person, which should be included in your International Airline Ticket taxes. If you are travelling to another island from Curacao, inter-island domestic departure taxes apply and should be included in your airline ticket
Immunizations
Vaccinations are not required for entry into Curaçao. Check with your doctor and the Centers for Disease Control on recommended vaccinations for travel at www.cdc.gov.
Culture and Customs
Blessed as one of the best natural harbors in the southern Caribbean, Curacao has long been a regional crossroads not only for goods but also for people. This has resulted in a cultural fusion that includes more than 40 ethnic groups, each enriching the mix. Though Dutch is the official language, English is widely spoken and many islanders converse in Papiamentu, a dialect created from mixing of Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, and several African languages. The capital city of Willemstad is one of the oldest settlements in the Caribbean, dating back to the Dutch capture of the island from the Spanish in the early 17th century. Thanks to the well-protected harbor of St. Anna Bay, the town quickly grew into a busy trading port, and the seat of government for the Netherland Antilles. Today, most of the original colonial-era architecture survives and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The oldest part of the city, known as the Punda district, has always been Willemstad’s main shopping area. Here, pedestrian-only streets and narrow alleys create a picturesque atmosphere, full of life and color. Unique boutiques offer a diverse selection of European clothing, French perfumes, Japanese electronics, Irish crystal, English china, fine Italian leathers and Chinese embroidery, while sidewalk cafes serve up a tasty mix of island favorites and international flavors. Noteworthy landmarks include Fort Amsterdam, the Mikve Israel- Emanuel synagogue, which is the oldest in the western hemisphere and the Queen Emma floating bridge, a pontoon bridge. The Museum Kura Hulanda focuses on the slave trade, while the Maritime Museum recounts the island's nautical traditions. No visit is complete without a stop off at the floating market, where a colorful array of fruits and vegetables make their way from the nearby shores of Venezuela aboard small island trading vessels.
Electricity, Phone and Internet Access
Electricity in Curaçao is 127/120 volts at 50 cycles and they use 2 prong plugs, so most appliances made in the USA will work well and should not require an adapter.
Curaçao's country code is 5999 with a 7 digit local phone number following the country code. UTS and CT are a few of the local companies providing phone and internet service. Check with your provider to see what plans are available or you will be subject to roaming charges. Many hotels and restaurants offer WiFi.
Water Quality
The water quality from the tap is safe to drink according to the ADC (Analytic Diagnostic Center). Bottled water is also readily available for purchase.
Language & Currency
Dutch is the official language, while Papiamentu is the most commonly spoken language. English and Spanish are all widely spoken and understood. Papiamentu is a form of Creole indigenous particularly to Bonaire, Curaçao, and Aruba, where it is considered the national language. You'll sound like a pro if you say 'Bon Dia' (Good Morning) or "Danki" (Thank you) to the locals.
The local currency is the Antillean guilder, abbreviated as Nafl. or ANG (also called the florin.) The exchange rate is set at ANG 1.79 to USD $1. Credit cards are often accepted, so exchanging money is not necessary. ATM's are available for withdrawals in USD or local currency
Time
Curaçao is on Atlantic Standard Time (AST) and does not observe Daylight Savings Time. Curaçao is 4 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (-4 GMT).
Location, Size and Population
Curaçao is an island located in the Southern Caribbean Sea. Curacao is 42 miles east of Aruba, 30 miles west of Bonaire and approximately 40 miles north of South Americ. The island of Curacao is 37 miles long and 8 miles wide with an area of 171 square miles. The population of Curaçao is 158,635 (2016).