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Curaçao🇨🇼 | beachesPlaya Porto MariDive shop, double reef, calm swim bay, west-facing shore | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Playa Porto Mari
🌟 Highlightbeach ranked #4
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Playa Porto Mari has a dive shop, a restaurant and showers on site, which makes it an easy first pick over bare roadside coves. It sits on the northwest side of Curaçao, near the village of Sint Willibrordus. The sand is pale and soft, the water is calm and clear, and the reef starts right off the beach, so snorkeling is easy without a boat. Weekends fill up with local families, and cruise-ship minibuses show up midweek, so arrive early if you want a spot in the shade. Surf is basically nonexistent, which is perfect for swimming and useless for board riders. Nightlife is zero, and you will want a car, since buses are sparse. Snorkelers, families and easygoing beach lovers will be very happy here. Party seekers and anyone counting every dollar will not.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #4 beach in CuraçaoWhat makes this beach worth visiting

Playa Porto Mari is where you stop when the road to Westpunt has you sweaty and you want a proper swim without hunting for a ladder into the rocks. The first reason is the house reef right off the sand. You wade in, put your face down, and within minutes you are over sea grass and coral heads with parrotfish and sometimes turtles. Gear rental and a dive center on the property mean you can try a shore dive without arranging anything in advance. The second reason is the infrastructure: showers, toilets, lockers, a shaded terrace and a kitchen serving lunch. After a few days of rougher north-coast coves with no facilities, that comfort feels like a luxury. It also splits the drive up the western coast nicely, well before Playa Kenepa and the Westpunt cliffs. Pay the fee, claim a lounger, and … read more 👉
Playa Porto Mari is where you stop when the road to Westpunt has you sweaty and you want a proper swim without hunting for a ladder into the rocks. The first reason is the house reef right off the sand. You wade in, put your face down, and within minutes you are over sea grass and coral heads with parrotfish and sometimes turtles. Gear rental and a dive center on the property mean you can try a shore dive without arranging anything in advance. The second reason is the infrastructure: showers, toilets, lockers, a shaded terrace and a kitchen serving lunch. After a few days of rougher north-coast coves with no facilities, that comfort feels like a luxury. It also splits the drive up the western coast nicely, well before Playa Kenepa and the Westpunt cliffs. Pay the fee, claim a lounger, and give it a full afternoon rather than a quick photo stop.

💡 HighlightsPlaces and moments you shouldn't skip

  1. Snorkeling the house reef: the reef begins a short swim from the shore, with coral and sea grass patches that hold turtles, parrotfish and the occasional squid. Entry is easy over sand, which suits beginners.
  2. Shore diving: the on-site dive center runs guided and self-guided dives from the beach, so you walk in with your tank rather than boarding a boat. Water is usually calm and clear.
  3. The main swimming bay: a wide, gently sloping stretch of pale sand with calm water, good for lap swimming and for kids. Plant yourself under one of the palapas for shade.
  4. Lounging with a beach lunch: the beachfront restaurant serves simple grilled fish and sandwiches at the edge of the sand, so a long afternoon needs no packing of food. Cold drinks flow all day.
  5. Sunset from the shore: the beach faces west, so the
… read more 👉
  1. Snorkeling the house reef: the reef begins a short swim from the shore, with coral and sea grass patches that hold turtles, parrotfish and the occasional squid. Entry is easy over sand, which suits beginners.
  2. Shore diving: the on-site dive center runs guided and self-guided dives from the beach, so you walk in with your tank rather than boarding a boat. Water is usually calm and clear.
  3. The main swimming bay: a wide, gently sloping stretch of pale sand with calm water, good for lap swimming and for kids. Plant yourself under one of the palapas for shade.
  4. Lounging with a beach lunch: the beachfront restaurant serves simple grilled fish and sandwiches at the edge of the sand, so a long afternoon needs no packing of food. Cold drinks flow all day.
  5. Sunset from the shore: the beach faces west, so the sky colors over the water in the evening. Stay on after the day crowd leaves for a quiet half hour.
Playa Porto Mari charges a small entrance fee, lounge chairs are rented separately, and the dive center takes bookings for guided dives, so reserve those a day ahead in busy months.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Playa Porto Mari

3H or 4H | Private Boat Trip | Swim, Board or Snorkel

3H or 4H | Private Boat Trip | Swim, Board or Snorkel

5.0(166) 3h
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Costumizable East to West Curaçao Island Tour Experience

Costumizable East to West Curaçao Island Tour Experience

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Private & Small-Group Coast-to-Coast ATV Tour (West Curaçao)

Private & Small-Group Coast-to-Coast ATV Tour (West Curaçao)

5.0(58) 3h 15m
From €104
per personViator
Wake & Knee Board, Water Ski

Wake & Knee Board, Water Ski

5.0(50) 1h
From €59
per personViator
Costumizable Private Curaçao Jewish Heritage Tour Experience

Costumizable Private Curaçao Jewish Heritage Tour Experience

5.0(49)
From €526
per personViator
Guided Shore Dive for Certified Divers with Scubaçao (1 tank)

Guided Shore Dive for Certified Divers with Scubaçao (1 tank)

5.0(46) 3h
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Exclusive Private Sailing Tour in Beautiful Curacao

Exclusive Private Sailing Tour in Beautiful Curacao

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The Ultimate Beach Tour Private Experiences Curacao

The Ultimate Beach Tour Private Experiences Curacao

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A Bunch of Kitecontrol

A Bunch of Kitecontrol

5.0(39) 2h
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Curaçao – Private City Tour with Insider Secrets

Curaçao – Private City Tour with Insider Secrets

5.0(38) 4h
From €136
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Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Best time to visit Playa Porto Mari

  • Dry Season (February to September): Porto Mari is calmest here, with highs of 30 to 32°C (86 to 90°F), steady trade winds, and showers that are short and rare. Water sits around 27 to 28°C (81 to 82°F).
  • Rainy Season (October to January): Rain falls in sudden bursts, mostly November and December, and the air turns muggy at 28 to 31°C (82 to 88°F). Mornings are often clear, so beach time still works. Some days the sea turns murkier after heavy downpours.
  • Crowds: Weekends and cruise-ship days bring day-trippers and locals, so weekdays leave long stretches of sand empty. Peak visitor months are December to April and July to August.
  • Daylight and Prices: Days run close to 12 hours with little variation, so plan beach time around the heat. Flights and rentals cost most at Christmas and in the northern
… read more 👉
  • Dry Season (February to September): Porto Mari is calmest here, with highs of 30 to 32°C (86 to 90°F), steady trade winds, and showers that are short and rare. Water sits around 27 to 28°C (81 to 82°F).
  • Rainy Season (October to January): Rain falls in sudden bursts, mostly November and December, and the air turns muggy at 28 to 31°C (82 to 88°F). Mornings are often clear, so beach time still works. Some days the sea turns murkier after heavy downpours.
  • Crowds: Weekends and cruise-ship days bring day-trippers and locals, so weekdays leave long stretches of sand empty. Peak visitor months are December to April and July to August.
  • Daylight and Prices: Days run close to 12 hours with little variation, so plan beach time around the heat. Flights and rentals cost most at Christmas and in the northern winter, with cheaper fares in May, June, and September to November.
Go on a weekday in May or June for cheaper flights, lighter crowds, and snorkeling water you can see through.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: highly recommended for travelingMARMarch: highly recommended for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: excellent for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: highly recommended for travelingAUGAugust: highly recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: excellent for travelingOCTOctober: good for travelingNOVNovember: good for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
curacao-beach-playa-porto-mari
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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in Curaçao

Stay in Westpunt or the nearby villages of Lagun and Soto, because Playa Porto Mari sits on the quiet west side of the island and the nearest real concentration of beds is there. Westpunt is a small village farther northwest, with a handful of guesthouses, a supermarket, a few snack bars, and a grocery run that is easy without a car. It suits travelers who want dive sites, cliff jumping, and sunsets without the nightlife.

If you want a more social scene, Willemstad is the better base. Punda and Pietermaai have the highest density of hostels, bars, and other budget travelers, and the beach is … read more 👉
Stay in Westpunt or the nearby villages of Lagun and Soto, because Playa Porto Mari sits on the quiet west side of the island and the nearest real concentration of beds is there. Westpunt is a small village farther northwest, with a handful of guesthouses, a supermarket, a few snack bars, and a grocery run that is easy without a car. It suits travelers who want dive sites, cliff jumping, and sunsets without the nightlife.

If you want a more social scene, Willemstad is the better base. Punda and Pietermaai have the highest density of hostels, bars, and other budget travelers, and the beach is roughly 45 to 60 minutes away by car. Expect to rent a car (from about US$30 to 45 a day) to make it work, and many backpackers split the cost with others from their dorm.

Plan on a rental car either way, since buses to this part of the island are infrequent. Dorm beds in Willemstad usually run US$20 to 35, while private rooms and apartments near Westpunt cost more, often US$60 to 100 a night, so splitting a place keeps costs reasonable. Book ahead from December to April.


Best quality hotels in Curaçao

🛡️ SafetyScams, Hazards, and Annoyances

Playa Porto Mari is generally calm and easy, and most travelers swim here without any trouble. The water is sheltered inside a bay, so waves are small and currents are mild, though the wind can chop the surface in the afternoon. Entry is gentle over sand, but there are rocky patches and some coral near the edges, so reef shoes help. Sea urchins sit in the shallows along rocks, so watch your step. Sun is the real issue. Shade is limited to a few palapas and trees, the UV index is high all year, and a hat and reef-safe sunscreen matter more than anything else. Bring plenty of water. Locals swim here on weekends, and the beach has lifeguard-free stretches, so keep an eye on kids. Car break-ins happen at remote Curaçao beaches, so leave nothing visible in your rental and carry only what you need onto the sand.
Check Country Safety

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Rent a car in Willemstad and drive northwest for about 45 to 60 minutes to reach Playa Porto Mari near Sint Willibrordus. Taxis from the city cost roughly US$60 to 80 each way, while public buses to the west end run rarely and do not reach the beach. A rental car runs from about US$30 to 45 a day, and parking at the beach is simple.
Playa Porto Mari is good for swimming and snorkeling, and poor for surfing. The bay is sheltered with small waves, and the reef and clear water near the edges show reef fish and sometimes turtles. Reef shoes are useful for rocky spots, and snorkel gear can be rented on site for about US$10 to 15.
Playa Porto Mari is a private beach with a small entrance fee, about US$3 per person. Sunbeds cost extra, about US$3.50 each. There is a beach bar and restaurant on site, and a dive shop offers rentals and trips. Many travelers bring their own towels and drinks to keep costs down.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Curaçaoan beaches near Playa Porto Mari

Explore more nearby:

  • Cas Abao Beach—Powder-white sand, gentle entry, house reef, palapa cafe| 1 km away
  • Playa Lagun—Turtle shallows, shore diving, painted fishing boats, limestone cove| 13 km away
  • Grote Knip—Cliff-top viewpoint, squeaky sand, deep drop-off, no nightlife| 16 km away

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We 💚 feedbackIs it worth it?

Playa Porto Mari deserves a half day at the minimum and a full day if you snorkel. Skip the midday crush by arriving at opening, grab a lounger near the reef entrance, and bring your own mask if you are picky about fit. One night nearby is plenty; do not build a whole stay around it.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Curaçao. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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