Beach Trip Along The West Coast Of Curacao

Curacao’s best beach day may begin not on a beach, but on a 75-foot catamaran heading toward the island’s rougher western shore. BlueFinn Charters takes you to two beaches reached only by boat, with clear water for swimming and snorkeling, lunch from the grill, and a premium bar opening around midday.

I like the sense of access here. You are not simply dropped at a developed beach with chairs and vendors. I also like the generous food and drink setup, plus the crew’s personal touch. Christian, Justin, and Melanie have been singled out for making the day feel special. The main drawback is simple: this is a lot of cruising, so if you want hours of swimming and little time aboard, this may not be your ideal beach trip.

Key points to know before booking

• Two boat-access beaches: The stops are on Curacao’s rugged West Coast, where small inlets called bocas shelter less-developed beaches.
• A full day at sea: Plan on about eight hours, with much of that time spent cruising on the catamaran.
• Lunch is substantial: Expect grilled ribs, chicken, and steak, along with pasta pesto, kidney bean, and couscous salads, subject to availability.
• Drinks begin around midday: Beer, wine, spirits, soft drinks, juice, and water are included.
• Snorkeling gear is provided: You can swim and snorkel without bringing your own equipment.
• Bring the basics: Pack a towel and sunscreen. Hotel transfers are not included, though they start at $19.

Why the West Coast is the point of the trip

Curacao has roughly 38 beaches, but they are not all alike. Most of the sandy beaches sit along the sheltered southwest coast, where the sea is often calm and clear. The western shore feels more rugged, with small coves and sea inlets known locally as bocas.

Several of these places can be reached only by boat. That changes the day from a standard beach outing into a coastal tour. You see sections of Curacao that are not easily reached by road, and the boat becomes your base between swims.

I like this kind of outing because the destination is only part of the experience. The ride lets you see the island from a different angle, with rocky shoreline, sheltered water, and small coves passing by. You also get a look at sights such as the famous pondjesbrug from the water.

The phrase like having a beach to yourself should not be taken too literally. The boat can carry up to 65 people, and the beaches are not private properties. Still, the sites are less developed and less accessible than Curacao’s better-known beach areas, which gives the day a more natural feel.

Starting at MOOD Beach Curacao

The meeting point is MOOD Beach Curacao in Bapor Kibrá, Willemstad. The trip begins and ends there, so you will need to arrange your own way to the departure point unless you purchase a separate hotel transfer.

That transfer is excluded from the $131 price and starts at $19. Check the pickup details carefully if you are staying away from Willemstad. The tour operates on local time, and the cancellation cutoff also follows local time.

Once aboard, you will have access to the catamaran’s seating areas, a restroom, and the open sea ahead. The boat has two marine restrooms according to the available trip details, a useful feature on an eight-hour outing.

The group limit is 65 people. That is not a small private charter, so expect a social boat atmosphere rather than a quiet, personal cruise. The size does bring a practical benefit: there is a full crew, a proper food service, and room for a broad mix of people to enjoy the day.

What the cruise is really like

The boat ride is not just transportation to the beaches. It is a major part of the itinerary. You spend much of the day cruising along Curacao’s coast, with the crew pointing out sights from the water and giving you time to settle into the rhythm of the trip.

If you enjoy being on a boat, this is a plus. You can sit back, watch the coast, have a drink once the bar opens, and let the day unfold without planning another activity. The catamaran gives you a stable platform for viewing the shore, and its size makes it more comfortable than a small open boat.

If you measure a beach trip by time spent in the water, set your expectations lower. You will have stops for swimming and snorkeling, but the cruise itself takes up a large share of the roughly eight-hour schedule. One honest description of the outing is a boat tour with beach stops, not an all-day stay on two beaches.

That distinction matters. I would choose this trip for a relaxed day on the water and access to remote coves. I would not choose it if my main goal were to spend six or seven hours on the sand.

Seeing Curacao from the sea

One of the pleasures of the route is seeing familiar places from offshore. The pondjesbrug is among the sights viewed from the boat. From the water, the coastline becomes the subject rather than a backdrop to a driving tour.

The West Coast also shows a less polished side of Curacao. The beaches are described as more rugged than popular beach areas, with small inlets and rocky surroundings. You should expect nature rather than a full line of beach facilities.

That means the scenery can feel special, but comfort may be more limited once you leave the catamaran. Your onboard restroom, food, shade, and drinks are valuable because the beach stops themselves are not presented as developed resort areas.

The coastal ride also gives you time to take photos without needing to move from one attraction to the next. Keep your camera ready for views of the shoreline and the changing shape of the coves. The tour is a good fit for anyone who likes the scenery between stops as much as the stops themselves.

The two beach stops and the water time

The main prize is access to two beaches that can only be reached by boat. Their exact names are not provided, and the schedule can change, so you should think of them as selected West Coast coves rather than fixed landmark attractions.

At each stop, you can swim, sunbathe, and use the supplied snorkeling equipment. The water along this part of Curacao is generally calm and clear, making it well suited to a relaxed swim and a look beneath the surface.

The snorkeling setup is a practical benefit. You do not need to pack your own mask and snorkel, which saves luggage space and avoids the cost of renting equipment separately. Still, bring your own towel and sunscreen. Those are specifically useful for the time between swimming and lunch.

The word untouched needs a little caution. The beaches are less visited and more rugged, but you will arrive with a sizable group. The appeal is not total solitude. It is the chance to reach coves that are difficult to visit independently.

Swimming conditions can also vary. The general setting is calm, clear water, but the tour does not promise a particular marine life sighting or snorkeling site. Enjoy the water for what it offers that day rather than treating the stop as a guaranteed wildlife excursion.

Lunch from the grill

Food is one of the stronger parts of the package. Lunch includes three salads: homemade pasta pesto, kidney bean, and couscous. The grill provides three kinds of meat, listed as ribs, chicken, and steak, along with bread and homemade peanut sauce.

This is more filling than the light sandwiches or basic buffet you get on some boat trips. A proper meal matters after swimming, especially on a full-day outing in the sun. The menu also gives you several choices, though the exact offerings can change if something is not in stock.

You should not expect a restaurant meal served course by course. This is a boat barbecue-style lunch, designed to feed a group efficiently. That suits the easygoing character of the tour.

The food is included in the $131 price, as are drinks and snorkeling gear. When you compare the price with a shorter cruise that charges separately for lunch, equipment, and beverages, the package becomes easier to justify. You are paying for a full day, not just a boat transfer.

The bar and what is included

The premium open bar begins around midday. Included spirits are Bacardi rum, Big Rack vodka, and Dewar’s White Label whiskey. Wine includes white wine and AIX rosé, and two types of beer are available.

Nonalcoholic choices include Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite, soda, water, cranberry juice, and tropical juice. Breakfast is not included, so eat before departure or make your own morning plan.

The bar adds value for people who want a social, relaxed day at sea. It also changes the pace once the swimming and lunch portions are over. You can settle into the return cruise with a drink rather than needing to buy anything separately.

Use a little judgment in the sun. The combination of alcohol, heat, swimming, and a moving boat can catch up with you quickly. Water and soft drinks are included, so alternating between them is easy.

WiFi is not available on board. That is hardly a surprise on a beach cruise, but it is worth knowing if you need to work, message constantly, or rely on a connection during the day.

The crew and the feel of the day

Service seems to be a major part of this experience. Christian, the captain, Justin, the first officer, and Melanie from the back office have been personally praised for their effort, energy, and care.

That kind of detail matters on a long boat trip. Eight hours is plenty of time for a weak crew to make an outing feel tiring. A friendly and professional team can make the same schedule feel relaxed and fun.

You should expect a social atmosphere rather than a formal sailing lesson. The available information emphasizes service, good energy, and making sure people enjoy the day. It does not describe a technical sailing program, so book this for coastal sightseeing, swimming, food, and drinks rather than sailing instruction.

The crew also handles the practical side of lunch, beverages, equipment, and the boat. That lets you focus on the coast instead of organizing every part of the day yourself.

Is $131 a fair price?

At $131 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see a Curacao beach. The price becomes more reasonable when you count what it covers: about eight hours aboard a large catamaran, two beach stops, snorkeling equipment, lunch, an open bar, soft drinks, and onboard restrooms.

Hotel pickup is extra, starting at $19, so include that in your total if you are not making your own way to MOOD Beach Curacao. Breakfast is also your responsibility, and WiFi is not included.

I see the value in the package if you want one organized day with almost no extra spending once you arrive. Lunch and drinks can add up quickly on a boat, and the remote beaches would be difficult to reach on your own.

The value is weaker if you dislike group excursions or do not care about alcohol and included food. In that case, you may be paying for extras you will not use. The 65-person maximum also means this is not a private or intimate charter.

Who should book this catamaran trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A full day on the water rather than a quick beach transfer
• Access to West Coast coves reached only by boat
• Swimming and snorkeling without bringing your own equipment
• A filling lunch and drinks included in the price
• A social atmosphere with an active, attentive crew
• A simple way to see Curacao’s coast without arranging several separate activities

I would think twice if you want a quiet private boat, a long independent beach stay, or a serious snorkeling expedition. The boat carries up to 65 people, and much of the day is spent cruising.

Most travelers can participate, and service animals are allowed. The meeting point is near public transportation, but the available details do not promise a specific level of access for every mobility need, so contact BlueFinn Charters if you have particular requirements.

Should you book the BlueFinn West Coast trip?

Book it if you want Curacao’s coastline, not just its beaches. The two boat-access coves, the view of the pondjesbrug from offshore, a grilled lunch, and the included drinks create a complete day out. The strongest reason to go is the mix of scenery and service, with crew members such as Christian and Justin helping keep the long cruise enjoyable.

Skip it if you want maximum time on sand or a small, private outing. The honest tradeoff is clear: you give up some beach time for a longer catamaran ride. For a social, well-fed day on the water with swimming, snorkeling, and less-developed coastal stops, $131 is a fair package.

FAQ

How long is the Beach Trip Along The West Coast of Curacao?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at MOOD Beach Curacao in Bapor Kibrá, Willemstad, Curaçao.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at MOOD Beach Curacao.

Are hotel transfers included?

No. Hotel transfer is excluded and starts at $19.

Are snorkeling masks and equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes three salads, grilled ribs, chicken, and steak, plus bread and homemade peanut sauce. Items may change if something is not in stock.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

Yes. The premium open bar includes selected spirits, white wine, AIX rosé, two types of beer, soft drinks, water, cranberry juice, and tropical juice. The bar opens around midday.

Is there a restroom on the catamaran?

Yes. Restrooms are available on board, including two marine restrooms according to the tour details.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.