Curacao West Coast: Catamaran Tour, Blue Room & BBQ Lunch

Summary

Catamaran cruise with snorkeling bbq lunch and blue room cave

You’ll sail Curacao’s west coast by catamaran with a local crew, snorkel at Kokomo Beach, relax on Cas Abao’s white sand with a BBQ lunch, then swim into the glowing Blue Room cave. Finish your day on a colorful open-air bus ride back—expect laughter, salt air, and moments that linger long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

I stepped onto the catamaran at Caracasbay with my sandals still wet from a quick dash across the sand. The crew was already handing out coffee and these ham-and-cheese sandwiches—nothing fancy, but honestly hit the spot. As we pulled away, our guide (I think her name was Maritza?) pointed out the Queen Emma Bridge in the distance. Someone behind me tried to pronounce “Kokomo” like the Beach Boys song and got everyone laughing. The salt in the air made my skin feel sticky before we’d even reached Kokomo Beach.

Snorkeling at Kokomo was better than I expected—clear water, schools of little blue fish darting around my ankles. I kept fogging up my mask and had to ask one of the crew for help; he just grinned and showed me how to spit in it (gross but it worked). Afterward, we drifted over to Cas Abao beach. I’d read somewhere National Geographic called it one of the best beaches in the world. Not sure about rankings, but lying back on that sand with cold fruit punch in hand, I felt like time slowed down a bit. The BBQ smells started drifting over—grilled chicken, chorizo, something garlicky—and people started lining up before they even finished setting out the salads.

The Blue Room cave was next. I hesitated a second before jumping in (it looked darker than I thought), but Maritza encouraged us—she said locals come here when they want to escape the sun for a while. Inside, everything glowed this wild electric blue from below. It’s hard to explain unless you’ve seen it yourself—I tried taking photos but none really captured it. My legs brushed against cool stone and for a second everyone went quiet except for our guide’s voice echoing off the rock. I still think about that light sometimes.

On the way back we passed Kenepa Beach and Playa Forti—just quick glimpses from the boat but enough to make you wish you had more days here. At Playa Kalki we hopped onto this open-air bus painted every color you can imagine; wind whipping through as we rattled back toward town. Someone sang along (badly) to music on their phone, which somehow felt right after a day like this.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — West Coast Catamaran Tour and BBQ

• View Jan Thiel beach
• Pass St. Anna bay and Pontoon bridge
• View Blue Bay beach
• Snorkel at Kokomo Beach
• BBQ lunch and swim at Cas Abao beach
• Explore the Blue Room cave
• View Klein Knip beach
• View Groot Knip beach
• View Playa Forti
• Disembark at Playa Kalki
• Bus ride back to city

Top questions

How long is the Curacao West Coast catamaran tour?

The full-day tour lasts approximately 8–9 hours including sailing, stops at beaches and caves, lunch, and return transport.

Is snorkeling equipment included on this Curacao catamaran trip?

Yes, snorkel and mask are included for all guests during stops like Kokomo Beach.

What food is served on board during this west coast tour?

The tour includes breakfast sandwiches in the morning and a BBQ lunch buffet with grilled meats, pasta salad, greens, and garlic bread.

Can you enter the Blue Room cave on every trip?

Entry depends on sea or weather conditions; if not possible an alternative stop is provided.

Are drinks included on this Curacao beaches tour?

Yes—fruit punch, sodas, water plus beer, wine, cocktails are available during the day.

Does this tour include pickup or drop-off?

The tour starts at Caracasbay; after sailing you return by colorful open-air bus to your starting point.

Is this Curacao day trip suitable for children?

Yes—infants can join with an adult; strollers are allowed onboard and service animals too.

What should I bring for this Curacao catamaran day trip?

Bring swimwear, towel, sunscreen; snorkel gear is provided but personal items are welcome too.

What’s included

Your day includes breakfast sandwiches as you set sail from Caracasbay with all drinks covered—from coffee to cocktails—and use of snorkel gear at each stop. There’s plenty of fresh fruit along with a full BBQ lunch buffet served right on board before heading into the Blue Room cave. The experience wraps up with an open-air bus ride back toward town so you don’t have to worry about getting home sandy or salty.