Curacao: Hato Caves Tour, Swim with Turtles & Beach Relax

Summary

Swim with turtles at Playa Piskado explore Hato Caves and relax on Porto Mari’s white sands

You’ll wander through Curacao’s Hato Caves with a local guide (watch for bats), snorkel beside sea turtles at Playa Piskado, then sink into soft sand at Porto Mari Beach. Hotel pickup means less stress—you’ll just need your towel, sunscreen, and maybe a sense of adventure.

What’s the experience like?

“You see those shapes up there? That’s the ‘Sleeping Giant’,” our guide said, shining his torch on the cave ceiling. I squinted, trying to spot it through the dripping limestone—honestly, I still think it looked more like a lumpy cloud than a giant, but maybe that’s just me. The air inside Hato Caves felt damp and cool against my skin, and every step echoed off stone that’s been here longer than anyone can really imagine. Bats darted overhead—one zipped so close I ducked (not my proudest moment). Our guide laughed and told us about the fruit bats living here. It smelled earthy, almost sweet near some of the pools.

After climbing out (those 49 steps are no joke if you’re not used to humidity), we drove west past little houses painted in colors that don’t even have names back home. At Playa Piskado, the sun was sharp on the water but under the surface everything slowed down—sea turtles gliding by like they had all day. I’d never snorkeled with turtles before; they’re bigger than I thought, gentle-eyed and kind of clumsy in a way that makes you want to smile underwater. A fisherman waved from his boat and pointed out where to look for them (I think he was amused by how excited we all got).

The last stop was Porto Mari Beach. By then I was salty and hungry but didn’t care—just dropped my towel in the sand and let myself float in water so clear you could see your toes. There were families laughing nearby, someone selling cold drinks under a faded umbrella. I tried a snack from one of the beach shacks—can’t remember what it was called but it tasted like coconut and sunshine. There was time to just breathe and watch clouds drift over Curacao’s hills before heading back.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore caves, swim with turtles, relax

• Visit Hato Caves guided tour
• Snorkel with sea turtles at Playa Piskado
• Swim and relax at Playa Porto Mari
• See flamingos in natural habitat

Top questions

How long does the Hato Caves tour take?

The guided tour inside Hato Caves lasts about 1 hour.

Can you really swim with sea turtles at Playa Piskado?

Yes, snorkeling with sea turtles is included at Playa Piskado.

Is hotel pickup included in this Curacao caves & beach tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in the tour.

Are there many steps at Hato Caves?

You’ll need to navigate about 49 steps at both Hato Caves and Playa Piskado.

Is lunch provided during this day trip?

No lunch is included; bring snacks or buy food at Porto Mari Beach.

Are infants allowed on this tour?

Infants can join but must sit on an adult's lap or use a pram/stroller.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off, entry fees for all sites, bottled water along the way, plus guidance from a local who knows every bat colony and beach shack worth stopping for before heading back to your hotel in Curacao.