By far from my favourite day during my recent visit to Curacao was our excursion to Klein Curacao with Mermaid Boat Tours – a trip that took us to the most beautiful and untouched island beyond our wildest dreams, and to be honest, the photos don’t do it justice – and yes, the water really is that blue. 

One of the main reasons I chose Mermaid Boat Tours for my trip to Klein Curacao was because they arrive on the island well before all the other boats and depart after everyone else has left. This gives you a full day to enjoy the island.

The boat leaves from Fisherman’s Pier promptly at 7.00am, it is therefore advisable to arrive on the dock by 6.45am so you have enough time to get checked in and settled ahead of the ferry ride over. You will be sent a boarding pass through email ahead of time which you can use to show the staff on arrival – if you do not have it on you however, they can look up your name on their bookings. There is coffee and tea on the boat along with restrooms – it is a two tier ferry and very comfortable. The ride out to Klein Curacao takes about 1.5 – 2 hours depending on sea conditions. It’s much shorter and calmer coming back due to the currents (maybe just an hour journey).  If you are prone to motion sickness, I recommend taking medication at least an hour before boarding the boat. 

Once we left the port, the crew made a few safety announcements before we were well underway to paradise! The journey didn’t take long and in no time before we could see the famous lighthouse peeking up above the horizon from Klein Curacao. The shades of blue when you arrive really do take you by surprise – it is the bluest water I have ever seen in my life. Once the boat is anchored close to shore, you have the option of swimming to shore (once the captain has given the OK) or taking one of the many dinghies. If you choose to swim, the crew will bring over your belongings. 

Another unique part of booking with Mermaid Boat Tours is t that they’re the only company that has a private beach house for guests to use – including bathrooms (most of the other outposts from other boats do not have bathrooms), outdoor showers, dressing rooms and outdoor kitchen facilities. There is also a watch tower which offers such a unique point of view of the island and overlooking the white sand beach and crystal clear waters below. 

Soon after arrival, we were all called to the Beach House for a short orientation where we were told how things would run for the day, when lunch was and what facilities were available. Breakfast was to be served right after (as I eat a gluten free diet I was told to bring my own bread along, which I did willingly) consisting of various sandwiches and fruit. There were a number of walking tour booklets in different languages which not only help give you a sense of direction when exploring the island but also give you an insight into the history of the island and the older buildings scattered throughout. There is also snorkel equipment for guests to use, and sun loungers – all they asked was that they were returned before we left for the day. Soft drinks were free and available for everyone, and alcoholic drinks were available for a fee paid upon arrival back at the harbour. They had rum, wine, beers and hard seltzers all for just $3 – you just have to remember how many you have had so you can pay when you return. 

Lunch is served at 12.30pm and is announced by the ringing of the bell which can be heard over the whole island. The beach house has BBQ and kitchen facilities which allowed for us to have our meals on the beach, a perk that most of the other companies did not have – they all had to go back to their boats for food – another reason to book with Mermaid Tours! Lunch was a delicious buffet of BBQ grilled ribs, chicken and hamburgers, a range of salads and fruit. 

If you feel like adventuring further around the island on one of the walking trails, I recommend doing it early in the morning before the sun becomes too high in the sky (there is no shade once you leave the beach house so bring lots of sunscreen!) and preferably before all the other tour groups arrive so the attractions are less crowded (not that you’ll be fighting hundreds of people, it can just be worth it for the perfect photo op!). In the middle of the island, there’s an old abandoned lighthouse you can explore. Just be careful, as many of the floorboards are missing or loose! On the other side of the island, where the seas are rougher, you’ll find several shipwrecks that are definitely worth checking out.

One thing you must do if you take the trip out to Klein Curacao is swim and snorkel in the waters off the beach. Not only is it beautifully warm and clear, but it is teeming with wildlife – my friend saw a turtle not far from the shore and there are often dolphins swimming alongside the boat on the ride back. The staff also have a fish feeding off the back of the boat at 1.30pm which is well worth participating in. 

After the other boats departed, there was a period where only the guests from Mermaid Boat Tours were left on the beach. It was an amazing feeling to have the place almost to ourselves. All in all, we had such a wonderful experience with Mermaid Boat Tours and wouldn’t hesitate to return with them. In conclusion, your ticket is inclusive of:

• Return boat transfers from mainland Curacao to Klein Curacao 
• Tea and Coffee on the boat out to the island 
• Breakfast served on arrival 
• Unlimited soft drinks 
• BBQ Buffet Lunch 
• Use of snorkel equipment 
• Use of private beach house (including watch tower, bathrooms, outdoor showers, and dressing room)
• Alcoholic drinks for purchase 
• Good vibes! 

Click here to book your tour with Mermaid Boat Tours!

You can find out more about my stay on my “Curacao” Highlights on Instagram @chase.the.rainbows.

Looking for a place to stay in Curacao? Check out my review of “Wynwood Hotel, Curacao”

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