playa piskado

In Westpunt, at the far west end of the island, Playa Piskado, also known as Playa Grandi, is nothing like a postcard beach. It's a pebbly cove where colorful fishing boats share the water with green sea turtles that linger near the pier. A mask and snorkel are all you need to join them, no boat trip or entrance fee required. A simple, genuine encounter with local wildlife, away from the developed beaches of the south coast.

Photo: Bruno Reginato · Google Maps

westpunt

playa piskado

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Playa Piskado sits in the fishing village of Westpunt, at the western tip of Curaçao. The beach itself is modest, sand mixed with pebbles, without the postcard charm of the coves down south, but it's not the sand that draws people here. It's what happens underwater, just a few meters from the pier.

Every day, the fishermen return from their trips and clean their catch right there on the dock. The fish scraps tossed into the water have long attracted green sea turtles, which have become regulars at this spot. All it takes is a mask and snorkel to watch them glide by up close, no boat excursion needed. Beach access is free, making it a natural stop for anyone exploring the west coast, between Playa Forti and Christoffel National Park.

One key thing to keep in mind: these turtles are wild, protected animals. Watch them, keep your distance, never touch them, and don't feed them, even though some fishermen do. It's actually this fishing activity that explains why the turtles keep coming back here day after day, and why the place is called Piskado, fisherman in Papiamentu.

What really stands out at Playa Piskado is this unforced blend of the fishermen's daily routine and the quiet presence of these creatures, which seem to have simply settled in, as if the sea had decided to hold its own gathering right there.

You'll need a car

Most of the best beaches are at least 45 minutes from Willemstad. Renting a car is not optional.

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More beaches worth the drive

Playa Forti

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In Westpunt, at the northwestern tip of Curaçao, Playa Forti sits at the foot of a cliff that has become legendary for its dizzying jumps into turquoise water that turns deep within just a few meters. The dark sand mixed with pebbles and coral fragments gives this beach a raw character, far from the pristine stretches of the island's south. At the top, a restaurant overlooks the bay and draws locals and visitors alike, all coming to watch the jumpers in action.

Playa Guepi

westpunt

North of Playa Kalki, on the far tip of Curaçao near Westpunt, Playa Gipy (also called Playa Guepi) remains one of the island's few secret beaches that has escaped mass tourism. No facilities, no paved parking, just a dirt track and a walk along the cliffs to reach a small wild cove where turquoise water contrasts with raw rock. A place you earn rather than simply visit.

Playa Kalki

westpunt

At the northwestern tip of Curaçao, just below Kura Hulanda Lodge in Westpunt, Playa Kalki is reached via a concrete staircase leading down to a small stretch of pale sand. Here, you don't need to swim far to reach the good stuff: the reef starts just a few meters from shore. It's one of the best snorkeling spots in Curaçao, and one of the most celebrated dive sites on the entire island.