Curaçao Snorkel: Tugboat Wreck & Director's Bay with Lunch

A Sunken Tugboat Covered in Coral Waits Just Offshore in Curaçao

You snorkel two reef sites off Curaçao's southeastern coast: a coral-covered tugboat wreck from the 1970s and Director's Bay, both in a former Shell bunker area now protected as a national park. Gear and lunch are included, and you finish with views of Beekenburg fortress from 1703. The whole trip runs a few hours, and you're back in Willemstad with time left in your day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Snorkeling at Caracasbay peninsula

• Arrive at Tugboat beach
• Snorkel around the tugboat wreck
• Swim under the pier (the Cathedral)
• Visit Director’s Bay for snorkeling
• Swim back to Tugboat beach
• Relax and enjoy a cold drink
• View fortress Beekenburg and Quarantine building

The experience

The tugboat sank in the 1970s and nobody's moved it since, which is exactly why it's become one of the best snorkel sites on the island. You head out from Willemstad to Caracasbay on the southeastern side, where an old Shell bunker bay turned national park now holds some of the clearest water and most crowded reefs you'll find. The boat ride itself is short, and when you drop anchor at Tugboat Beach, the wreck is right there, maybe thirty feet down, completely wrapped in coral and sponges. Schools of glassy sweepers live inside it. Yellow tail snappers circle the outside. It's the kind of spot where you can spend twenty minutes just floating above one spot and watching something new appear every few seconds.

The second stop is Director's Bay, which has its own story: the kind of thing your guide will tell you while you're gearing up. You swim back from there to Tugboat Beach, where the pace slows down. There's a cold drink waiting, a chance to sit on the sand and let your skin dry, and if you look up from your towel, you can see Beekenburg fortress from 1703 sitting on the ridge above you. The Quarantine building is there too, and the whole Spanish Water spreads out behind it. It's the kind of view that makes you realize you're not just in a tourist spot. You're in a place with actual history, and people who live here actually know it.

Snorkel gear is included, so you don't show up without fins and a mask and have to rent them at inflated prices. Lunch is part of the day too, which means you're not hunting for food between dives or eating something mediocre from a food truck. The whole thing moves at a pace that works whether you're a confident swimmer or someone who's never done this before: the reef doesn't care about your experience level, and neither does the boat crew. Groups stay small enough that you're not elbowing strangers for space at the wreck.

What’s included

Your day includes snorkel gear (mask, fins, snorkel), lunch, boat transport to Tugboat Beach and Director's Bay, and time to rest and take in the views of Beekenburg fortress and Spanish Water before heading back to Willemstad.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30 and 13:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (14 and older) · Youth (10 to 13 years) · Child (1 to 9 years)

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Dutch

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 21 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Scubaçao Diving Adventures

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Curaçao's reef without arranging your own boat, gear, or figuring out which beach to start from. The crew knows exactly where the wreck is and what's living in it, which saves you the trial-and-error part of snorkeling on your own.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Dutch.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 13 years); Child (1 to 9 years).

How deep is the Tugboat wreck?

Around 30 feet. You snorkel from the surface, not scuba dive.

Is snorkel gear included?

Yes. Mask, fins, and snorkel are provided. Bring your own if you prefer.

What's included in lunch?

The reference doesn't specify the menu, but lunch is included as part of the tour price.

How long is the whole trip?

A few hours total, including boat ride, two snorkel stops, and time to rest and eat.

Is it safe for non-swimmers?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels. Tell the crew if you're nervous. They'll adjust the pace.

What fish will I see?

Glassy sweepers live in the wreck. Yellow tail snappers, sergeant majors, and other reef fish are common at both sites.

When was the tugboat sunk?

It went down in the 1970s and has been a reef ever since.

Can I bring my own snorkel gear?

Yes, though gear is included. Bring your own if you have equipment you prefer.

Do I need to know how to snorkel?

No. The crew will show you how, and the sites are suitable for beginners.