Caracasbaai, or Caracas Bay, sits at the tip of a peninsula southeast of Willemstad, at the entrance to Spanish Water, the sprawling inland bay that has become the island's hub for sailboats and watersports enthusiasts. You get there via Caracasbaaiweg, which follows the water to a small roundabout where a handful of bars and restaurants signal your arrival. The beach itself doesn't try to charm you with white sand and postcard palm trees: the ground here is coarse sand, pebbles, and shells, and it's precisely this lack of polish that makes it feel genuine.

On weekends, this is where Curaçaoan families gather, grilling under the palapas and swimming in water that deepens gradually. On weekdays, the mood shifts completely: the beach empties out and settles back into quiet.

A few minutes away on foot or by car, two detours are worth the trip. Fort Beekenburg, built in 1703 to protect the entrance to Spanish Water from pirates and rival powers, is open to visit freely and offers a panoramic view of the bay from its round tower. A little further on, Tugboat Beach takes its name from the wreck of a tugboat sunk just a few meters from shore, now one of the island's most popular snorkeling spots. Kayak and paddleboard rentals also let you explore the calm waters of Spanish Water from the edges of the bay.

What stands out most at Caracasbaai is the contrast between the history frozen in the fort's stone and the life that carries on, unbothered, on the sand.