Help deciding on beach

[chewie8008]

So, we have the late port, 2-10pm. We had almost decided on just doing Pirate Bay BC of how close it is. However, I think we would prefer to go to one of the better beaches on the island and sacrifice some time. I have searched and searched and can't determine which would be the best option for us. We do have a 5 year old, so would need some sort of shade, despite only have 1-2 hours at the beach. We definitely prefer more secluded and quiet rather than a beach with jet skis etc.

 

So which would be prettiest, quiet and allow for some sort of shade..

 

Kenepa(Grote Knip)

Porto Marie

Cas Abou

Kokomo?

Shete Boka park (looks cool but doesn't seem to have an actual beach/swimming area

 

We are leaning towards renting a car... Taxis to the west side seem to be too expensive.

 

Any opinions would be really appreciated!

[bup1224]

So, we have the late port, 2-10pm. We had almost decided on just doing Pirate Bay BC of how close it is. However, I think we would prefer to go to one of the better beaches on the island and sacrifice some time. I have searched and searched and can't determine which would be the best option for us. We do have a 5 year old, so would need some sort of shade, despite only have 1-2 hours at the beach. We definitely prefer more secluded and quiet rather than a beach with jet skis etc.

 

So which would be prettiest, quiet and allow for some sort of shade..

 

Kenepa(Grote Knip)

Porto Marie

Cas Abou

Kokomo?

Shete Boka park (looks cool but doesn't seem to have an actual beach/swimming area

 

We are leaning towards renting a car... Taxis to the west side seem to be too expensive.

 

Any opinions would be really appreciated!

 

Grote Knip is far away from the port - limited shade.

Have not been to Porto Marie

Cas Abou - has entrance fee (I think it was $3-5) and it was $3 to rent 2 chairs and have shade umbrella type thing - this one gets busy!

Kokomo - have not been

Shete Boka - no beach/swimming area there.

[chewie8008]

Ah OK, well... Finding a great beach at Curacao has been really difficult. One minute I think we should just do one close by but then the next I think we should venture farther out to get to a better one. But I definitely don't want to get stuck without shade or on a really crowded beach. I'll keep looking. Thank you for the information.

 

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Edited March 7, 2016 by chewie8008

[ODECCIT]

Ah OK, well... Finding a great beach at Curacao has been really difficult. One minute I think we should just do one close by but then the next I think we should venture farther out to get to a better one. But I definitely don't want to get stuck without shade or on a really crowded beach. I'll keep looking. Thank you for the information.

 

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Pirate Bay has good shade and only gets crowded on weekends. Really close to port.

[chewie8008]

Pirate Bay is one we were leaning towards if we stay close. Do you know how busy Porto Marie gets? We are there on either a Tuesday or Wednesday. I watched a video of the area and there looks to be adequate shade if the place isn't packed...

 

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[ODECCIT]

Portomari is an hour drive from port. With your short port hours I would stay closer to port.

Edited March 7, 2016 by ODECCIT

[chewie8008]

We assume to be off the ship by at least 3, drive an hour makes it 4. Sundown is at 6:48. Gives us at least two hours? We're not one to stay at a beach for much longer than that anyway...

 

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[bup1224]

I would get off the ship as soon as possible as it could take a while with the rental car process. Pirate Bay is definitely closest to port unless you want to go to Mambo Beach/Seaquarium beach (which is not one the Western side)- we have stayed at the Hilton which is not far from there and only took us 10 minutes or so to drive to town. You might hit alot of traffic with ship in port - do you know if you are the only ship in port?

[chewie8008]

I was planning to do the rental online to hopefully make the process quick. We are the only ship in port. If we decide to do a close beach, I think we will definitely do Pirate Bay. I've looked at pictures and videos of pretty much every popular beach that I've heard of. Pirate Bay looks pretty good, Porto Marie and several others look better but I'm just debating whether it's worth the extra hassle.

 

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[bup1224]

I was planning to do the rental online to hopefully make the process quick. We are the only ship in port. If we decide to do a close beach, I think we will definitely do Pirate Bay. I've looked at pictures and videos of pretty much every popular beach that I've heard of. Pirate Bay looks pretty good, Porto Marie and several others look better but I'm just debating whether it's worth the extra hassle.

 

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If I am not mistaken, Avis has car rentals right at the pier - I need to set ours up for September. We are lucky that we are there from 8 or 9 am to 11 pm - and have been several times and are very comfortable driving to the western beaches -

[chewie8008]

Yeah, from what I read there is one at megapier. Wow, you guys got a long port there. What's the rest of your itinerary?

 

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[bup1224]

Embark in San Juan, St. Maarten, Bonaire, Curacao and Aruba - Bonaire is the only new port for us - can't wait!

[chewie8008]

That's a good one. Haven't been to any of those but will be in Curacao and Aruba in less than a month! Enjoy!

 

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[bup1224]

Enjoy your cruise too! We love Curacao and Aruba - you will love them!

[Hlitner]

2-10? Geez, that would be a cruise we would not book. And as one who has often driven on Curacao, we would never recommend that a cruiser arriving at 2pm, consider renting a car. Much of the island, including Grote Knip, is just too far for somebody who would probably not get going until nearly 3pm! If we are on a cruise that is in port from 8 - 6 we would do it (and have done it) but not with a truncated port day. If your ship does actually dock by 2 it will probably take at least 20 minutes until you can even get off the ship. And then you need to walk over to the rental car dealer (there are a few) where you might wait another 15+ minutes in a queue and while they do the paperwork. There is no "express" car rental system on the island and things tend to move at an island pace. Also keep in mind that as you head all the way out to the Western part of the island you will be in a very rural area with few services...and you are also going more then 25 miles from the port. And the roads are not superhighways and it can take a long time to get from Point A to Point B....especially if you get stuck behind a slow moving vehicle or truck (not a lot of passing zones).

 

So my advice is that if you want a beach...stick to one of the beaches within 20 min of the port and use a shared taxi.

 

Hank

Edited March 8, 2016 by Hlitner

[chewie8008]

That makes sense. Thanks.

 

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[jody75]

So, we have the late port, 2-10pm. We had almost decided on just doing Pirate Bay BC of how close it is. However, I think we would prefer to go to one of the better beaches on the island and sacrifice some time. I have searched and searched and can't determine which would be the best option for us. We do have a 5 year old, so would need some sort of shade, despite only have 1-2 hours at the beach. We definitely prefer more secluded and quiet rather than a beach with jet skis etc.

 

So which would be prettiest, quiet and allow for some sort of shade..

 

Kenepa(Grote Knip)

Porto Marie

Cas Abou

Kokomo?

Shete Boka park (looks cool but doesn't seem to have an actual beach/swimming area

 

We are leaning towards renting a car... Taxis to the west side seem to be too expensive.

 

Any opinions would be really appreciated!

Casa Abou and Porto Marie - US$60 taxi each way - expensive for a couple of hours whilst the cheapest is Mambo beach - US$20 each way (all fares are per taxi with 2,3 or 4 people)

 

Check out Holiday Beach Resort and Casino - it is within walking distance of the Mega-Pier and only cost US$10/pp to use all their facilities which includes sunbeds and thatched parasols. Visible from the Ship if you berth at the Mega-Pier, to the left. Went there last month, not many people there but was excellent when compared to Mambo Beach.

[myrj]

Casa Abou and Porto Marie - US$60 taxi each way - expensive for a couple of hours whilst the cheapest is Mambo beach - US$20 each way (all fares are per taxi with 2,3 or 4 people)

 

Check out Holiday Beach Resort and Casino - it is within walking distance of the Mega-Pier and only cost US$10/pp to use all their facilities which includes sunbeds and thatched parasols. Visible from the Ship if you berth at the Mega-Pier, to the left. Went there last month, not many people there but was excellent when compared to Mambo Beach.

 

 

 

We will be there next week. Those are great prices but not sure where Carnival is docked.. Thanks for the info.. How about Aruba? Any close good beaches to pier???

[mickey89]

How about Aruba? Any close good beaches to pier???

Walk out of the terminal, when you reach the main road cross the road to the Central Bus station. It cost about $3 to the west coast beaches of Eagle beach and Palm beach. We much prefer Eagle Beach much less commercialised and less Sea Weed.

[Sheffie]

We went to Porto Marie and plan on going back there again this year. The snorkeling was wonderful! Well worth the taxi ride over and back.

[chewie8008]

We ended up going to Blue Bay and loved it. Snorkeled some, it's a great beach.

 

Thanks for the advice.

 

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[Blondie70]

Check out caribya dot com for good info on beaches (along with sightseeing, hotels, etc) in any Caribbean location. From their info, Pampoen Beach looks like a good option. It has public restrooms and chairs/umbrellas available. It's a very good site to find out if a beach has public restrooms. Many don't!!

[MJB1437]

Blue Bai was a wonderful beach. Not crowded. It is in a development of homes, condos, time shares and maybe a hotel. It was $30 cab ride and chairs were $8. There was shade. I advise using water shoes.

Myrna

[mamajules]

Casa Abou and Porto Marie - US$60 taxi each way - expensive for a couple of hours whilst the cheapest is Mambo beach - US$20 each way (all fares are per taxi with 2,3 or 4 people)

 

Check out Holiday Beach Resort and Casino - it is within walking distance of the Mega-Pier and only cost US$10/pp to use all their facilities which includes sunbeds and thatched parasols. Visible from the Ship if you berth at the Mega-Pier, to the left. Went there last month, not many people there but was excellent when compared to Mambo Beach.

 

Question about Holiday Beach Resort day pass. Are there certain hours it is good? We are in Curacao 1p-10p. We are planning on walking around the city for a bit, then finding a beach to relax on and watch the sunset. Could we do this at Holiday?

[mickey89]

Question about Holiday Beach Resort day pass. Are there certain hours it is good? We are in Curacao 1p-10p. We are planning on walking around the city for a bit, then finding a beach to relax on and watch the sunset. Could we do this at Holiday?

 

It is only 15min walk from the pier, we were allowed to check it out before we agreed to stay. Not the best beach but Curacao is the pits for any decent beach.

There is no other beach within walking distance except the Renaissance Hotel with its infinite pool. They don't do Day Passes, you can try to sneek-in, best of luck.