To reach Daaibooi, drive past the village of Sint Willibrordus and its peach-colored church, then follow the road as it winds through the hills to the free parking lot facing the bay. The beach itself opens into a sheltered cove surrounded by cliffs, its calm turquoise waters making it a reassuring spot for family swimming.

It's especially on weekends that Daaibooi comes alive. Local Curaçao families gather here with coolers, chairs, and sometimes their own barbecue, something this beach allows unlike other, more touristy spots on the island. The atmosphere is friendly, with music drifting over from the small snack bar near the parking lot.

Along the rocks bordering both sides of the bay hides the best local snorkeling: colorful fish, coral, and, with a bit of luck, a sea turtle coming in to feed near the shore. The middle of the cove stays shallow for quite a while, so it's better to swim out to the rocks for the real show to begin.

You can rent a lounge chair or umbrella on site, but the palm-leaf palapas scattered along the sand remain free for those who arrive early. The surest sign you've found the right spot: the small yellow birds flitting about in groups near the snack bar, drawn by food scraps left on a nearby tree.