There is no way to reach Klein Curaçao other than by boat. Count roughly one hour forty-five to two hours of crossing from Curaçao, heading southeast toward this uninhabited islet, and the swell can make the way out a little sporty. The reward comes the moment you anchor: turquoise water so clear you can see the bottom, and a long white-sand beach that belongs to no one.

Once on the island, two silhouettes catch the eye. An abandoned lighthouse, which you can walk up to, still watches over the coast. Not far away, on the windward side, stranded wrecks stand on the sand, including a large cargo ship stuck there since the 1980s and a more discreet sailboat a little further on. In between, time to grab mask and snorkel: sea turtles are easy to spot in the waters around the island.

Klein Curaçao has no permanent infrastructure. Shade and meals depend entirely on the operator you choose; Mermaid, BlueFinn and a few others organize the day with palapas, breakfast and lunch on board or on site. Spots go fast, often fully booked several days before departure, which gives this boat trip its earned-privilege feel: book early.

What strikes you most, once there, is the silence. No cars, no villages, just the wind, the sand and a rusty wreck staring at the horizon for forty years.