bailey57 Posted July 17, 2014 #1 Share Posted July 17, 2014 Hi - First, sorry for the length of this... We're in Curacao on a Wednesday in August from 8-4 and definitely plan to spend 2-3 hours to explore town, but struggling with the rest of the day. I should probably mention that I never take cruiseline excursions - too crowded, too expensive. So that's out... We can't decide if we should snorkel or take a land tour - both are of interest, and both have merit, being our first visit to this island. I haven't yet seen any land tours that include snorkeling, and can't imagine there's time to do both plus town on our own. Are there any land tours that include snorkel? And is it best to do town in the am and tour/snorkel in the pm, or the other way around? I prefer the latter, as it puts us closer to ship/port in the pm, but wonder if it will be too hot by then to really enjoy the walk... Finally, if we want a tour, would we be okay to wait until we get there - are there safe & decent providers at the port - or should we pre-book? I've done this on other islands with good results, but don't want to assume. As you can see, I'm conflicted here. :rolleyes: I welcome any ideas, suggestions, help? Thanks for reading! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmama Posted July 17, 2014 #2 Share Posted July 17, 2014 You will love Curacao. The town is great to explore. I personally like am hours as it can be hot, mostly the air does not move thru the town real well. Also the floating market is a great thing to see and it tends to be more active in am. It is really fun to be walking across the floating swing bridge when a ship goes in or out. It swings open when you are standing on it. The picturesque side is the popular part to explore but do not miss going across the bridge and explore the other side too as there are many historical sites. There is a ferry that goes back and forth between the sides if you do not want to walk the bridge both times. Snorkeling is not as great as in other ports but there are some very unique land sights. The flamingos in the salt flats are interesting, but be sure to walk around as there can be some of the most unique starfish you will ever see on the flats. One coast (sorry I cannot remember which one or name of park but I will try to look it up) is beautiful. Crashing waves, blowholes, caves. Magnificent site! Best pics are in am tho so could conflict with town tour. Either time tho it is a fabulous site well worth the time to see. There are also some beautiful coves and secluded beaches worth seeing and even swimming if you have time. There is also a historical house that is very interesting to go through. I will try to get name of that too. Take every minute to explore. It is different from any other Caribbean port you will go to. Have fun! Sent from my SCH-I915 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmama Posted July 17, 2014 #3 Share Posted July 17, 2014 Ok it is the Shete Boka National Park for the crashing waves. House was connected tonslavery and an indigenous Indian group. Google curacao crashing waves and there are some great pics of the natl park. Sent from my SCH-I915 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bailey57 Posted July 17, 2014 Author #4 Share Posted July 17, 2014 Lol, you acknowledge the conundrum even in your post - tour best in a.m., town best in a.m. :) Since we're snorkeling a few days later in Turk, a land tour would probably give us the most value for the time we have, just hate to be there and not even put my foot in the water. I hear the island is really beautiful. I also want to see the synagogue in town. Thanks for the reply. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmama Posted July 17, 2014 #5 Share Posted July 17, 2014 If you go to some of secluded coves and beaches you can get your toe and more in depending on your tour guide :) forgot the synagogue. Many historical Jewish sites. You can do alot in your alotted time so just enjoy! Sent from my SCH-I915 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bup1224 Posted July 18, 2014 #6 Share Posted July 18, 2014 You will love Curacao. The town is great to explore. I personally like am hours as it can be hot, mostly the air does not move thru the town real well. Also the floating market is a great thing to see and it tends to be more active in am. It is really fun to be walking across the floating swing bridge when a ship goes in or out. It swings open when you are standing on it. The picturesque side is the popular part to explore but do not miss going across the bridge and explore the other side too as there are many historical sites. There is a ferry that goes back and forth between the sides if you do not want to walk the bridge both times. Snorkeling is not as great as in other ports but there are some very unique land sights. The flamingos in the salt flats are interesting, but be sure to walk around as there can be some of the most unique starfish you will ever see on the flats. One coast (sorry I cannot remember which one or name of park but I will try to look it up) is beautiful. Crashing waves, blowholes, caves. Magnificent site! Best pics are in am tho so could conflict with town tour. Either time tho it is a fabulous site well worth the time to see. There are also some beautiful coves and secluded beaches worth seeing and even swimming if you have time. There is also a historical house that is very interesting to go through. I will try to get name of that too. Take every minute to explore. It is different from any other Caribbean port you will go to. Have fun! Sent from my SCH-I915 using Forums mobile app Forgive me but I am not quite sure where you snorkeled but we loved snorkeling in Curacao (at Blue Bay) and we were able to see fish and even a baby octopus without snorkeling gear at Cas Abou. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bailey57 Posted July 18, 2014 Author #7 Share Posted July 18, 2014 Forgive me but I am not quite sure where you snorkeled but we loved snorkeling in Curacao (at Blue Bay) and we were able to see fish and even a baby octopus without snorkeling gear at Cas Abou. I heard that snorkeling is very good in Curacao, thus my interest in same. Did you snorkel right from shore, or was it a "boat-access" thing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted July 18, 2014 #8 Share Posted July 18, 2014 We thought the snorkeling in Curacao was very good ... but we always did it from a catamaran or dive boat. LuLu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isa65 Posted July 18, 2014 #9 Share Posted July 18, 2014 (edited) You can also join the FB page Curacao - Cruise Port of Call, where you can get more detailed information on your day in port. Edited July 18, 2014 by Isa65 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bailey57 Posted July 18, 2014 Author #10 Share Posted July 18, 2014 Thanks everyone! Really appreciate all the ideas. Any thoughts on booking upon arrival? OR - know of any operators who do does both land/sea in one tour? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bup1224 Posted July 18, 2014 #11 Share Posted July 18, 2014 I heard that snorkeling is very good in Curacao, thus my interest in same. Did you snorkel right from shore, or was it a "boat-access" thing? We snorkeling right from the shore - last year is was a ship sponsored tour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmama Posted July 19, 2014 #12 Share Posted July 19, 2014 We did not have the same snorkeling luck, but based on hearing these good reports I think we will try it again. We had heard it was good, but maybe we hit it after a storm or some other fluke reason for it being bad. That is why views from others is so helpful. Thanks everyone Sent from my SCH-I915 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shutterbug999 Posted July 23, 2014 #13 Share Posted July 23, 2014 If you have the whole day - go on a tour in the morning - the light for photos on the waterfront is much better in the afternoon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseapril Posted July 28, 2014 #14 Share Posted July 28, 2014 We generally do beach/water sports in the morning and the town in the afternoon, so we can be closer to the ship later in the day. We have had good snorkeling experiences in Curacao. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt_BJ Posted July 29, 2014 #15 Share Posted July 29, 2014 http://oceanencounters.com/en/diving-in-curacao/dolphin-dive-for-non-divers http://oceanencounters.com/en/diving-a-snorkeling/snorkel-trips http://oceanencounters.com/en/diving-a-snorkeling/watersports http://oceanencounters.com/en/diving-a-snorkeling/animal-encounters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bailey57 Posted July 31, 2014 Author #16 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Thanks for everyone's input. Just got enough folks together to tour with Nastasja - going west, and should be back in town by 1:30. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now