West of Willemstad, near the village of Sint Michiel, Blue Bay Beach belongs to the Blue Bay Golf & Beach Resort but opens daily to outside visitors for an entrance fee. You'll find fine white sand, palm trees offering natural shade, sun loungers, a beach club and several restaurants right on site.

What really sets Blue Bay apart is what happens underwater. The reef nicknamed "The Garden" and "The Wall" starts just a few meters from shore, which means you can snorkel in Curaçao without needing a boat or a long walk. Colorful fish, corals and sometimes turtles can be spotted within the first few meters, making this a spot popular with both beginner snorkelers and families with kids, thanks to a gentle slope that puts younger swimmers at ease.

The beach naturally draws local families on weekends, who come to spend the day swimming and having lunch on site. The seabed stays rocky in spots near the shore, so water shoes are never a bad idea here.

Late in the day, when the light rakes across the palm trees and most day visitors have left, Blue Bay settles into a calm that explains why regulars keep coming back.