Snorkeling in Curaçao: Private boat trip, you set the pace

Choose your own pace and explore Curacao’s best snorkel spots in private comfort

A private snorkeling boat trip in Curaçao for up to 8 people, operating on the east side of the island around Spanish Waters and Caracasbaai. You decide the balance between snorkeling at the Tugboat Wreck and other reef sites, sightseeing through mangrove areas and coral stone formations, and beach time at Fuik Bay. The crew adjusts timing and stops to your group's pace rather than a fixed schedule. A 3-hour tour runs Tuesday through Sunday; a 4-hour option (Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays) gives more time at each location.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private boat trip with snorkeling

• Tour through Spanish Waters
• Snorkel at Tugboat Wreck
• Optional beach stop at Fuikbay

The Experience

The boat leaves from a marina on the east side of the island, and from there you're steering the day. You tell the crew whether you want to spend more time snorkeling, more time sightseeing, or more time on the beach—and they build the hours around what your group actually wants to do. The 3-hour tour fits a morning or afternoon slot; the 4-hour tour gives you breathing room at each stop without rushing between them.

Spanish Waters is the first sightseeing stretch if you choose it: mangrove areas, impressive houses dotting the shoreline, coral stone rock formations, and a view of Tafelberg across the water. That part typically runs about an hour, but you can shorten it or skip it entirely. The Tugboat Wreck is the main snorkel site—a shallow wreck that sits in clear water with fish and coral around it. The crew can take you to other reef sites in the area if you want variety, and they'll extend snorkel time if your group is keen. Fuik Bay is a quiet beach stop during weekdays, with turquoise water and a calm shoreline; there's no fixed duration there either, so you stay as long as it feels right.

The boat is 30 feet long with a crew that speaks English, Spanish, German or Dutch. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with bottled water and soda. You'll need to be a comfortable swimmer and have at least a moderate level of fitness—there's a small ladder to climb back aboard from the water. Infants sit on an adult's lap. The boat holds up to 8 people, so it's genuinely private: no strangers, no schedule that doesn't match your group's rhythm.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment.
• bottled water and soda.
• boat and crew.
• live guide in English, Spanish, German or Dutch.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Trip and Treat VIP Boat Tours

Is this one for you?Book the 3-hour tour if your schedule is tight and you want the Tugboat Wreck plus either sightseeing or a beach stop. The 4-hour option suits groups who want to snorkel multiple sites without feeling rushed, or who want sightseeing, snorkeling and beach time all in one trip.

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Top questions

What's the Tugboat Wreck like when you get there?

The Tugboat Wreck sits shallow in the water off Curaçao's east coast, so you can see the wreck itself along with the fish and coral living around it. It's the signature snorkel site in the area and the crew won't skip it unless your group decides otherwise.

Can you choose between the 3-hour and 4-hour tour, or does it depend on the day?

Both are available, but on different schedules. The 3-hour tour runs Tuesday through Sunday at 11am or 1pm. The 4-hour tour operates Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 11am, giving you more time at the snorkel sites and beach without the rush.

What happens if your group wants to skip the sightseeing and just snorkel?

The crew adjusts the itinerary to match what you want. If snorkeling is the priority, they'll spend the hours on the Tugboat Wreck and other reef sites instead of the Spanish Waters sightseeing stretch.

Do you need to bring your own snorkeling gear?

No. Snorkeling equipment is included with the boat, along with bottled water and soda. You just need to be a comfortable swimmer and able to climb a small ladder back onto the boat from the water.

How many people can fit on the boat?

The boat holds up to 8 people, so your group stays together without adding strangers to the mix. Infants can come along and sit on an adult's lap.

What's the difference between the 3-hour and 4-hour tour besides the time?

The 4-hour tour gives you more time at each snorkel stop and beach location instead of moving faster between them. Both visit the same sites; the longer option just lets you linger.