3H or 4H | Private Boat Trip with Snorkeling and Swimming

The main appeal here is control. Bettina and Marc take your private group around eastern Curaçao on a 30-foot boat, then shape the outing around your mood: snorkeling at the Tugboat wreck, sightseeing through Spanish Waters, or a lazy stop at Fuik Beach. I like the personal scale, and I like that the crew can adjust the plan when wind or sea conditions change.

I also like the practical touches: snorkel gear, bottled water, and soda are included, and the crew can have a cooler ready if you arrange drinks ahead of time. The main limitation is the water access. You need to swim and climb a small ladder back onto the boat, so this is not a good fit for non-swimmers or anyone who needs easy boarding.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to eight: Your group does not share the boat with strangers, and you help set the pace.
• Tugboat and Director’s Bay snorkeling: The shallow wreck is the central water activity, with another snorkel stop available.
• Spanish Waters sightseeing: You cruise past marinas and waterfront scenery on Curaçao’s eastern side.
• Fuik Beach option: Add a longer beach stop if quiet swimming and shore time matter more than extra sightseeing.
• Three or four hours: The longer outing gives you more time at each stop, but it runs only on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
• Bettina and Marc lead the trip: Their personal hosting and flexibility are a large part of the experience.

A private Curaçao outing with room to change plans

Many boat trips follow a fixed route, with a whistle, a schedule, and a crowd moving from one stop to the next. This one is different. Trip and Treat VIP Boat Tours takes only your party, up to eight people, and asks what you want from the day.

That matters in Curaçao, where the best use of your time depends on the sea, the wind, and your group. You may want to snorkel as much as possible. Your children may prefer a swim, soda, and a quiet hour on board. Someone else in your party may simply want to see Spanish Waters from the water. Here, you can build the balance together with Bettina and Marc.

The boat leaves from Trip And Treat VIP Boat Tours at Kima Kalki Marina, Brakkeput Ariba 62, on the eastern side of Curaçao. You return to the same meeting point at the end. Transportation to the marina is not included, so plan your own way there.

The boat is 30 feet, or about 9.1 meters, and the group limit is eight people. That is a comfortable arrangement for a family or a group of friends, but it is worth remembering that a private boat does not mean a large yacht with lots of separate space. The value comes from having the boat and crew devoted to your group, not from luxury fittings listed in the tour details.

Spanish Waters sets a relaxed opening hour

The outing can begin with a cruise through Spanish Waters, a sheltered-looking eastern area known for its marinas and waterfront setting. If you want a gentle start, this is a useful way to settle in before getting into the water.

I like this first hour because it gives your group time to decide what kind of day you want. You can sit back and enjoy the view, ask about Curaçao, and tell the crew if you want more snorkeling or more beach time. Bettina has been described as attentive to comfort and interested in sharing information about the island, while Marc handles the boat and navigation.

Spanish Waters is not the dramatic open-sea section of the trip. Its appeal is calmer and more observational. You are seeing the island from the water, passing marinas and taking in the eastern coast without spending your first minutes rushing toward a swim stop.

If your group already knows it wants maximum time in the water, tell the crew early. On the three-hour version, one hour can feel significant. The private format helps because you are not tied to a rigid group schedule, but the clock still matters.

The Tugboat wreck is the main snorkeling event

The Tugboat wreck is the signature stop. The vessel rests in shallow water, which makes it accessible for snorkeling and allows you to see the wreck without needing a scuba certification. The site is treated as a must-see part of the trip, and the snorkeling is the strongest reason to choose this boat charter over a simple sightseeing cruise.

You receive snorkeling equipment as part of the tour. Bottled water and soda are also included, which is useful after time in the sun and salt water. You should still bring any food or special drinks your group needs, since snacks, lunch, and alcohol are not included.

The shallow setting is a real advantage, but it does not remove the need for basic swimming ability. You enter the water from the boat, then climb a small ladder to get back aboard. That movement is easy for many active swimmers, but it can be awkward if you have limited mobility, poor balance, or trouble climbing.

The crew’s flexibility is especially useful here. Wind and choppy conditions can affect where and how long you snorkel. Marc has been praised for handling windy water carefully, and the crew can adjust the plan instead of treating the schedule as fixed. That does not guarantee calm seas, but it does give you people on board who are paying attention to conditions.

Director’s Bay adds another water stop

The tour description identifies Director’s Bay as another snorkeling area. Depending on your timing and the conditions, this can give you a second chance to explore the water rather than spending the whole trip at one site.

That variety is useful for mixed groups. If one person wants to see the Tugboat and another prefers a shorter swim, the crew can help shape the stops around everyone’s energy. You can also spend more time at the places that suit your group instead of being moved along with a large public boat.

The four-hour option is the better choice if snorkeling is your priority. It gives you more time at each snorkel stop and leaves more room for a beach visit without making the outing feel hurried. The tradeoff is availability: the four-hour trip runs only on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The three-hour trip is offered Tuesday through Sunday.

A private boat also gives you more freedom to ask questions and get local suggestions. Bettina and Marc have been praised for sharing information about Curaçao and for offering recommendations around the island. That makes the trip useful beyond the hours spent on the boat, especially if you are still deciding what else to do during your stay.

Fuik Beach is the choice for longer shore time

If your group wants a proper beach pause, the boat can head to Fuikbay. The route there includes views of Curaçao’s coastline and clear turquoise water. During the week, Fuik Beach is described as quiet and calm, making it a good choice for a slower section of the trip.

This stop changes the feel of the outing. The Tugboat is about looking below the surface and moving through the water. Fuik Beach is about stopping, swimming, and letting the clock soften a little. You can tell the crew if a longer beach visit matters more than squeezing in another sightseeing segment.

The beach option also shows why the private format has value. On a standard group cruise, you usually accept the operator’s chosen balance of stops. Here, you can decide that your group needs a beach hour instead of another pass through the marinas.

Still, you should not expect the tour to include a full beach-club setup. Snacks and lunch are not provided, and alcoholic drinks are excluded. Bring what your group needs, subject to the operator’s arrangements, and confirm ahead of time if you want a cooler stocked with particular drinks. One family arranged beer in advance, and another brought its own food and drinks, including items needed for a child with food allergies.

Three hours or four hours?

The three-hour option works well if you want a compact private outing with one sightseeing section, snorkeling, and a possible beach stop. It is also the more widely available choice, running Tuesday through Sunday.

Three hours can pass quickly once you account for leaving the marina, moving between areas, getting in and out of the water, and returning to the pier. If you want both the Tugboat and Director’s Bay plus a meaningful stop at Fuik Beach, you may find the schedule tight. The private format helps, but it cannot create extra time.

The four-hour trip is better for a group that wants to linger. You can spend longer at the snorkel areas, give Fuik Beach its proper turn, or simply enjoy more time aboard without constantly checking the clock. It is offered only Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, so reserve early if your plans are fixed.

The outing is booked, on average, about 37 days ahead. That is a useful planning clue, especially for a cruise visit or a vacation with only a few open days. If you need the four-hour option, availability is narrower still.

What the $550 group price really buys

The price is $550 per group of up to eight people. For a full group, that works out to $68.75 per person before any additional costs. For four people, it becomes $137.50 each, so the value improves sharply as your party gets closer to the eight-person limit.

You are paying for a private boat, a crew, a guide, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, and soda. You are also paying for the ability to choose the pace and skip the usual crowd. If your group values privacy, that flexibility can make the price sensible. If you are a couple or a small group looking only for a short snorkel, a shared excursion may cost less.

The best value comes when you use the private nature of the trip. Ask for the combination that fits your group instead of simply accepting a standard route. A family with varied swimming confidence may want a shorter water stop and more beach time. A group of experienced swimmers may prefer both snorkeling locations and less time in Spanish Waters.

The price does not include food, lunch, alcohol, or transportation to the marina. Those exclusions are easy to handle, but they should be part of your budget. Water and soda are covered, which keeps the basics simple.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

I would choose this for a family or friend group that wants a private day on the water and can agree on a loose plan. It is also a strong fit for people who dislike crowded excursions and want direct access to the crew.

You should be comfortable swimming from a boat and climbing a small ladder. The operator asks for a moderate fitness level and does not recommend the trip for non-swimmers or people affected by obesity, because basic agility is needed to re-board. Those are not minor footnotes. Water entry and ladder boarding are central to the experience.

This may not suit you if you need step-free access, want a fully catered cruise, or prefer a guaranteed calm-water schedule. The tour depends on good weather, and wind can affect the day. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

The crew’s response to changing conditions is one of the better reasons to book a private trip. Marc has handled windy, choppy water carefully, while Bettina has focused on comfort and information. You still need to accept that the Caribbean Sea is in charge of the weather.

Simple preparation for a better day

Bring your own food if you will be hungry during the outing. Snacks and lunch are not included, and alcohol is also excluded. If you want particular drinks, arrange them before departure rather than assuming they will be on board.

Wear something suitable for swimming and sun exposure. The provided equipment covers snorkeling, but the tour details do not list towels, sunscreen, or personal medication, so you should plan for your own needs.

Arrive at Kima Kalki Marina with enough time to find the meeting point. Since transportation is not provided, leave room in your schedule for getting to Brakkeput Ariba 62. At the end, the boat returns to the same location.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made inside that period are not accepted, and weather cancellations offer either a new date or a full refund. The cut-off follows local Curaçao time.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if your group wants a private, flexible snorkeling day rather than a fixed public cruise. The Tugboat wreck, Director’s Bay, Spanish Waters, and Fuik Beach give you a good mix of water time, scenery, and relaxation. Bettina and Marc add a personal touch, and their ability to adjust for wind and group preferences is a real practical benefit.

I would choose the four-hour version for serious snorkeling or a relaxed beach stop, provided one of its limited operating days fits your plans. Choose three hours if you want the main sights and a compact outing.

Skip it if anyone in your party is a non-swimmer, cannot climb a small ladder, or needs easy access from the water. For everyone else, the strongest value comes when you fill the boat with people you know and use the freedom to set the day your own way.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start?

It starts at Trip And Treat VIP Boat Tours, Brakkeput Ariba 62, Kima Kalki Marina, Willemstad, Curaçao.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat can take groups of up to eight people, and only your group participates.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

What snorkeling locations are included?

The trip focuses on Curaçao’s Tugboat wreck and Director’s Bay. The Tugboat is in shallow water and is the main snorkeling stop.

Is beach time part of the tour?

You can request a longer beach stop at Fuikbay. The exact balance between snorkeling, sightseeing, and beach time is up to your group.

What is the difference between the three-hour and four-hour tours?

The four-hour option gives you more time at the snorkeling stops and/or the beach. The three-hour option runs Tuesday through Sunday, while the four-hour option is available Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Is transportation to the marina included?

No. You are responsible for getting to the starting pier.

Are food and alcohol included?

No. Snacks, lunch, and alcoholic drinks are not included. Bottled water and soda are provided.

Can non-swimmers join?

The tour is not recommended for non-swimmers. You need basic physical agility, including the ability to climb a small ladder to re-board the boat from the water.