Curaçao Island Tour: Kenepa Beach, Sea Turtles & Shete Boka

Snorkel with sea turtles at a beach most tourists never find

A private guided tour of Curaçao from Willemstad visits Kenepa Beach, Shete Boka National Park, and local landmarks like Punda's colonial architecture and wild flamingos in their natural habitat. The guide speaks English, Spanish or Dutch. Pickup is included. Minimum age is 14. Bottled water and fruit snacks are provided. Entry to Shete Boka National Park costs extra.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Pundapass by
2. Shete Boka National Park1h
3. Kenepa Beach1h · entry included

Explore Curaçao's natural and cultural sites

• Visit historic Punda district
• See flamingos in natural habitat
• Explore Shete Boka National Park
• Swim with sea turtles at beach
• Relax at Kenepa Beach

The experience

The tour starts in Punda, Willemstad's historic district, where the guide walks you through centuries of Dutch, Spanish and Portuguese colonial architecture before heading to the island's quieter corners. From there you move through the north coast, stopping at Shete Boka National Park: almost 10 kilometers of rocky, wave-exposed shoreline where three species of sea turtles nest in pocket bays scattered along the cliffs. The real draw is Kenepa Beach, where you get in the water to snorkel alongside sea turtles in their natural habitat, a moment most visitors to Curaçao skip entirely.

You'll also see flamingos roaming free and explore black coral formations and black sand beaches known mostly to locals: the kind of stops a private guide can reach without the timing constraints of a group schedule. The tour runs 4 to 5 hours total, paced so you have time to actually swim and absorb the landscape rather than move between photo stops. Pickup from your hotel is included. The guide speaks English, Spanish or Dutch depending on what works for your group.

Bring a swimsuit and reef-safe sunscreen. Bottled water and fruit snacks come with the tour. Entry to Shete Boka National Park is a separate charge, and the minimum age is 14: the terrain and water conditions aren't suitable for younger children.

What’s included

• Pickup from your hotel.
• a private guide speaking English, Spanish or Dutch.
• bottled water and fruit snacks.
• snorkeling time at Kenepa Beach with sea turtles.
• stops at Shete Boka National Park, Punda's colonial quarter, and local wildlife spots like flamingo habitats and black coral formations.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 10:00, 11:00 and 12:00

AgesAdult (14 to 94 years) · Under 14: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Dutch

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 15

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for heart conditions

Operated by Bearded Butlers Curaçao B.V.

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you speak English, Spanish or Dutch fluently enough to follow a guide's commentary: the guide delivers the history and natural details in whichever language you choose, so you get the full context of what you're seeing rather than just the visual stops.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Dutch.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I customize the stops on this tour, or is the itinerary fixed?

The tour is customizable. You tell the guide your interests (whether that's Christoffel Park, the Ostrich Farm, caves, saltlakes, or specific beaches), and the guide builds the day around what you want to see. Kenepa Beach and Shete Boka are the core stops, but the rest of the route adapts to you.

What exactly happens when we snorkel with the sea turtles at Kenepa Beach?

Kenepa Beach is where sea turtles come to feed and rest in shallow water. You enter the water with snorkel gear and swim near them in their natural environment. The turtles are wild animals, so sightings are not guaranteed, but encounters are common at this beach.

Is this tour suitable for families, or is it geared toward experienced hikers?

The tour works for families with older children (minimum age 14), couples and solo travelers. It's described as a mix of adventure and relaxation rather than a strenuous hike. The terrain is manageable for all fitness levels, though it's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.

What's included in the price, and what costs extra?

Pickup, the guide, bottled water and fruit snacks are included. Entry to Shete Boka National Park is not included and costs $15 per adult or $2 per child up to age 12.

How long does the tour actually take, and what time does it start?

The tour runs 4 to 5 hours. A specific start time isn't listed in the standard offering, so confirm the departure time when you book based on your hotel location and the guide's availability.