Curaçao: Sea Turtle Swim & Kenepa Beach with Private Transfer

An hour in the shallows where the turtles come to you, then a beach that feels like it shouldn't exist.

You swim with sea turtles for one hour in shallow water with a guide in the water beside you, capturing photos on GoPro that get sent to your phone. The tour includes round-trip transfer from your pier or hotel, snorkel gear, bottled water, and a one-hour beach stop at Kenepa. Patrick stays with you the entire time, and the group stays small enough that you're not jostled by crowds.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Kenepa Beach1h
2. Jan Kok Plantation House10m

Sea turtle swim and beach visits

• Pick up from pier or hotel
• Drive 27 minutes to sea turtle beach
• Swim with sea turtles for 1 hour
• Stop at Daaibooi Beach for 1 hour
• Visit Kenepa Beach for 1 hour
• Photo stop at Jan Kok Flamingo area

The experience

The bus pulls away from the pier or your hotel, and for the next 27 minutes you're watching the island shift from town to coast. When you step out at Turtle Beach, there's a private rooftop waiting, just for your group, and Patrick, your guide, is already in the water. The turtles aren't penned or trained. They drift into the shallows naturally, and you'll spend a full hour in water shallow enough to stand, watching them move past you. Patrick stays in the water with you the whole time, positioning himself to catch the moment a turtle glides near, shooting on a GoPro so the photos land on your phone before you even leave the beach.

What makes this different from other sea turtle swims is the constraint itself. You don't touch, you don't feed, you just float and watch. It sounds like less, but it's actually more, because the turtles stay calm and come closer. The water is warm, the visibility is clear, and if you've never snorkeled before, this is the gentlest way to start. Snorkel gear is included, and if you need help with it, Patrick's right there. After the hour, you're not rushed back to the bus. There's time to dry off, ask questions, and let the adrenaline settle.

The second stop is Kenepa Beach: the one that shows up in every Curaçao photo you've ever seen. You get an hour here to swim, lie on the sand, or just sit under the shade. On the drive back, there's a ten-minute photo stop at Jan Kok Plantation House, where wild flamingos roam freely and the light is good for pictures. The whole trip runs about four hours from pickup to drop-off, and by the time you're back at your hotel or the pier, the photos are already in your messages.

What’s included

Round-trip private transfer from your cruise pier or hotel, one hour of guided sea turtle swimming with Patrick in the water, professional snorkel gear, bottled water, GoPro photos sent directly to your phone, one hour at Kenepa Beach, and a ten-minute photo stop at Jan Kok Plantation House with wild flamingos.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 09:30 and 14:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 13

Live guideEnglish and German

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 47 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Curacao Dreams Travel B.V.

Is this one for you?Right for cruise passengers and hotel guests in Willemstad who want to swim with sea turtles without the guilt of touching them, and who value having a guide in the water capturing the moment. The full four hours means you get both the turtles and a proper beach stop, which is what makes the trip feel complete rather than rushed.

Traveler reviews

4.81★★★★★★★★★★

1,242 verified traveler reviews

5 ★1,111

4 ★75

3 ★29

2 ★11

1 ★16

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

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.

How long is the sea turtle swim?

One hour in the shallow water with your guide Patrick. He stays in the water with you the whole time.

Do you touch or feed the turtles?

No. The turtles come naturally to the beach. You observe them without touching or feeding, which keeps them calm and lets them come closer.

What's included in the price?

Round-trip transfer from your hotel or cruise pier, snorkel gear, bottled water, a professional guide, GoPro photos sent to your phone, and access to the private rooftop at Turtle Beach.

How long is the whole tour?

About four hours total, including the 27-minute drive to the turtles, one hour swimming, one hour at Kenepa Beach, a ten-minute photo stop at Jan Kok Plantation House, and the drive back.

When do you get the photos?

Patrick sends them to your phone via AirDrop, Facebook, or WhatsApp before you leave the beach or shortly after.

What if I'm not a confident swimmer?

The water at Turtle Beach is shallow enough to stand in, and your guide is with you. Snorkel gear is provided, and Patrick can help you get comfortable in the water.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The vehicle and all areas are wheelchair accessible. Service animals are allowed.