Playa Porto Marie sits on the island's west coast, near the village of Sint Willibrordus, at the back of a bay sheltered by low cliffs. You reach it by car along a road that runs through the village, up to a large parking area where you pay a modest entrance fee before heading down to the sand. On site, loungers, a bar-restaurant, and showers mean you can spend the whole day there without planning a thing in advance.
What makes Porto Marie special is its double reef, accessible directly from the beach. Divers and snorkelers will find one of Curaçao's most reputed sites here, with artificial reef blocks placed in the bay to help coral recover after Hurricane Lenny hit in 1999. A dive center on site rents equipment or can book you on a guided outing.
The other signature feature of the place is its resident pigs. They wander freely along the shore and sometimes nap near the water, before retreating to the shade once the beach fills up. Two walking trails start from the parking lot to explore the surroundings of the bay, a good option for those who want to mix lounging with a walk.
At Porto Marie, people come as much for the clear water as for this unexpected encounter with pigs who seem to find the beach just as pleasant as the visitors do.
You'll need a car
Most of the best beaches are at least 45 minutes from Willemstad. Renting a car is not optional.
