Frequently Asked Questions

Swimwear, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Snorkel gear, drinks, beer, our signature cocktail, and food are all included. Bring an underwater camera if you have one: the Tugboat Wreck and the turtles at Playa Piskadó photograph beautifully.

Yes, children aged 6 and up are welcome; younger children on request, we decide case by case before you book. Life jackets are available in all sizes, the crew is trained in safety, and the leeward-coast snorkel sites are calm and shallow. Kids especially love the green turtles at Playa Piskadó and the beach stops at Kokomo and Kleine Knip.

Safety always comes first. If conditions are too rough, we reschedule to a safer date or provide a full refund: no questions asked. Curaçao lies outside the Atlantic hurricane belt and bad-weather days are rare, so weather cancellations are the exception rather than the rule.

Yes. Our Half Day Safari is specifically designed for cruise passengers: 3.5 hours, departure from Marichi Pier (a 10-15 minute walk from the cruise terminal), and a return planned 90 minutes before all-aboard. The route covers Tugboat Wreck, the Blue Room cave, and turtles at Playa Piskadó.

Our custom-built Rupert 50 RIB carries a maximum of 30 guests. The boat is 14.2 metres long with 5,500 kg of stable hull, so even a fully booked tour has personal space, and our crew gives everyone attention at each stop.

Not at all. Our guides give a brief introduction at each stop, life jackets and flotation noodles are available, and most snorkel sites are in calm shallow water (5 metres at the Tugboat). Beginners and families are welcome on every tour.

All tours include water, soft drinks, local Curaçao beer (Amstel Bright + Montana Blond), wine, hard seltzers, and our signature Seafari cocktail. The Full Day Sea Safari adds a full Caribbean lunch on board; the Half Day Safari includes a light breakfast or lunch depending on departure. Let us know about any dietary requirements when booking.

Yes, we offer private charters of the Rupert 50 for groups, birthdays, corporate events, weddings, and special occasions. Half-day charters are $3,500, full-day charters $6,500, and sunset charters $2,950: the whole boat for your group, up to 30 guests. A 30% deposit holds the date, and the balance is due 14 days before departure. If you cancel, the deposit is not refunded, and within 14 days of departure the full amount is due. If we cancel because of weather, safety or the boat, you get everything back or choose a new date. You pay by invoice, with a bank transfer or a payment link. Contact us to plan the route and catering.

All tours depart from Marichi Pier in Punda, in the heart of Willemstad. Cruise guests: it's an easy 10-15 minute walk from the cruise terminal across the Queen Emma Bridge and along the waterfront. Taxis and parking are close by. We send the exact meeting point with your booking confirmation. Check-in is 20 minutes before departure.

Book now, pay later: reserve your spot without paying anything upfront. Full payment is due 14 days before your tour, and we'll send you secure payment details by email. You can cancel or reschedule free of charge up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.

The Half Day Safari is 3.5 hours, designed for cruise passengers and short-time visitors. Covers the three signature snorkel sites: Tugboat Wreck (5 m, sunk decades ago), the Blue Room sea cave when conditions allow, and turtles at Playa Piskadó, plus a beach stop at Kleine Knip. The Full Coast Sea Safari is ~7.5 hours along the entire west coast: adds Kokomo Beach at Vaersenbaai, Playa Kalki (Alice in Wonderland), Grote Knip, and a full Caribbean lunch. Half Day is the cruise-friendly choice; Full Coast is the complete coast experience.

We run a Swedish-built Rupert 50 offshore RIB: 14.2 m (47 ft), 5,500 kg, max 30 guests. Our captain knows the leeward coast well, our crew briefs in English and Dutch (and some German), and we cap groups at 30 to keep the experience personal. On board you get local beer (Amstel Bright and Montana Blond) and our signature Seafari cocktail.

Our Rupert 50 is a 14.2-metre (47 ft) rigid inflatable boat (RIB) built in Sweden by Rupert Marine as a search-and-rescue vessel, CE category B1, and later converted to an open passenger layout. Specifications: 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs), 30-guest capacity, Scania DI14 800hp marine diesel driving a Rolls-Royce KaMeWa FF 375 HS waterjet (cruising speed 30–35 knots, top speed 42 knots), shaded centre deck, swim platform with ladder. There is no toilet on board; there are restrooms ashore at our Playa Piskadó and Playa Kalki stops, both with a jetty. Her hull is a deep-V wave-piercing design, which is why she cuts through chop instead of slamming over it. We reach Klein Curaçao in about 35 minutes.

Yes. Life jackets and flotation noodles are provided at every snorkel stop, and our guides stay close to inexperienced swimmers. Non-swimmers can stay on the boat at snorkel sites and still enjoy the beach stops, the boat ride, the marine views from the deck, and the lunch. The Full Day Sea Safari has 4 beach stops where non-swimmers can wade in shallow water or stay on shore.

Children aged 6 and up are welcome on all tours; younger children on request, case by case. Pregnant guests can join: we'll keep the ride smoother on request. There's no upper age limit. The Klein Curaçao Expedition involves a longer crossing (about 35 minutes) and is better for ages 8+. For mobility limitations, the swim platform and ladder are fine for most; the boat doesn't have wheelchair access. Contact us if you have specific concerns.

We don't run a hotel pickup service. All tours start at Marichi Pier in Punda, easy to reach by taxi or rental car from every resort area (about 10-15 minutes from Jan Thiel and Mambo Beach, 30-45 minutes from Westpunt) and a 10-15 minute walk from the cruise terminal. On the Half Day, Full Coast and Klein Curaçao trips the boat also stops at Mambo Beach and Jan Thiel on the way east: if you stay there, you can board on the beach. The Half Day and Full Coast return to Marichi Pier; on the Klein Curaçao Expedition you get off on the way back where you boarded. Choose your stop when you book.

Yes, let us know during booking. We routinely accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and seafood/nut allergies. The Full Day Caribbean lunch is built around BBQ chicken or fish, salads, rice, and tropical fruit; we can substitute or add plant-based mains with 24 hours' notice. Children's portions are available without extra cost.

Free cancellation or rescheduling up to 24 hours before departure: full refund. Within 24 hours of departure, or a no-show, is non-refundable. If we cancel for weather, mechanical, or safety reasons, you always get a 100% refund or a free reschedule: your choice. Groups of 10 or more, private charters and weddings follow the charter terms: a 30% deposit holds the date and is not refunded if you cancel, and within 14 days of departure the full amount is due. Refunds are processed within 5-10 business days.

Rarely. The leeward (west) coast where we operate is sheltered by the island itself: calm water most days, steady 10-25 knot trade winds dampened by the central highlands. The Rupert 50's wide hull and deep-V design absorb chop well. If you're prone to motion sickness, take Dramamine or similar 30 minutes before boarding, sit on the centre deck (most stable), and avoid heavy meals. Klein Curaçao crossings are slightly rougher; we recommend medication for sensitive guests.

Partly, boarding the boat from the dock requires stepping over the rail (about 40 cm). Once on board, the centre deck is flat and accessible. The swim platform and ladder are designed for swimmers, not wheelchairs. Beach stops are limited for wheelchair users (most beaches require walking on sand). Contact us in advance to discuss specific needs; for guests with mobility limitations we can recommend a private charter with a customised route.

Willemstad has three main street-art neighbourhoods: Otrobanda (Plaza Brion area + Colorful Steps), Punda's Art Alley on Windstraat, and Scharloo Abou's Street Art Skálo open-air museum. Most murals trace back to the Kaya Kaya Festival, held annually since 2018. For the full guide including specific artist mentions and self-guided walking routes, see our Curaçao culture and history FAQ → /inspiration/faq/culture-history.

Chichi sculptures by Curaçaoan artist Serena Israel are sold at her studio at Landhuis Brievengat (where you can paint your own), the Chichi Store on Windstraat in Punda, Mon Art at Riffort Village in Otrobanda, and the XXXL Chichi on the Handelskade waterfront. Note: Chichis can only be purchased on the island. They're not shipped. For the cultural history of the Chichi figure, see our Curaçao culture and history FAQ → /inspiration/faq/culture-history.

Two self-guided walking routes: Otrobanda (~2 km, Plaza Brion → Colorful Steps via Breedestraat) and Punda + Scharloo (~2.5 km, Queen Emma Bridge → Art Alley → Street Art Skálo). Both are free, best walked early morning when temperatures are mild. For the full route descriptions and current tour operators offering guided versions, see our Curaçao culture and history FAQ + activities FAQ.

It depends on your ship's hours. The Klein Curaçao Expedition is a full day, usually 08:30 to 16:00; the crossing takes about 35 minutes, depending on conditions. When a cruise ship comes in during the morning, the departure can move later (10:00 at the latest) so its guests can join, but only if they are then back at Marichi Pier, a 10-15 minute walk from the cruise terminals, 90 minutes before all-aboard. Many ships sail too early for a full day; on those days the trip keeps its usual time and is not offered as suitable for that ship. When you pick a date on the booking page, it shows the departure time and the ships it fits.