Tugboat Beach
Discover Tugboat Beach, Curacao's unique spot for snorkeling a sunken tugboat, vibrant marine life, and creative driftwood art.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, better snorkeling
Tugboat Beach
Best Time
Fewer crowds, better snorkeling
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Discover Tugboat Beach, Curacao's unique spot for snorkeling a sunken tugboat, vibrant marine life, and creative driftwood art.
"The best dive site I have visited, very easy to get to the deeper part of the reef, plenty to see. "
🚗 Drive with Caution
The road can be rough; a 4x4 or sturdy car is best.
🤿 Snorkel Gear Essential
Rentals available, but bringing your own ensures comfort. Water shoes highly recommended!
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Sunken Tugboat
Offshore from the beach
Explore a historic tugboat resting just meters below the surface, teeming with colorful marine life. A must-see for snorkelers and divers!
Vibrant Marine Life
Underwater at Tugboat Beach
Discover a surprising diversity of fish species, including parrotfish, angelfish, and even octopuses and eels.
Creative Beach Art
On the beach
Paint your own driftwood souvenir at the beach workshop, adding a personal touch to your island memories.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Prepare for the Unexpected Road
Embrace the Underwater Adventure
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Drive with Caution
The road can be rough; a 4x4 or sturdy car is best.
🤿 Snorkel Gear Essential
Rentals available, but bringing your own ensures comfort. Water shoes highly recommended!
🎨 Get Creative
Paint your own driftwood souvenir for a unique keepsake.
💰 Bring Your Own Drinks
While a bar is available, bringing your own can save money.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Drive with Caution
The road can be rough; a 4x4 or sturdy car is best.
🤿 Snorkel Gear Essential
Rentals available, but bringing your own ensures comfort. Water shoes highly recommended!
🎨 Get Creative
Paint your own driftwood souvenir for a unique keepsake.
💰 Bring Your Own Drinks
While a bar is available, bringing your own can save money.
🐙 Expect the Unexpected
You might see octopuses, eels, and a wide variety of fish!
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Tugboat Beach is praised for its unique snorkeling experience around a sunken tugboat and its vibrant marine life, despite an industrial backdrop. Visitors appreciate the free entry, available rentals, and the fun driftwood painting activity. Some note the rough road access and coral beach as minor drawbacks.
"I don't know how much fun it could be to swim next to an oil platform but there it is this beach that is normally empty or with just a few people. You can go on your car and take food or drinks with you and you'll be all right. The road to get to this place is really in bad shape."
Diego Onomátor Rodriguez
"I enjoyed snorkeling at Tugboat beach. It is rather intimidating when you first pull up because it is right beside a massive oil drilling platform that is being repaired. It has a decidedly industrial feel to the location. But don’t let the road or the area ambience scare you. The entrance is free with a snorkel rental and electric water scooter rental shack present. There is also a small bar where you can buy pop or a beer. There’s lots of shade and lounge chairs can be rented on the beach. The whole environment at the entrance has a rather fun laid back funky feel with signs of wisdom and art work hanging everywhere. The beach itself is made of broken coral so it’s a bit rough. Water shoes are highly recommended by me. But in the water you will discover many surprises. There are a decent number of fish species to observe and I saw a few firsts here. I watched an octopus move among the rocks for 15 minutes. It is amazing how quickly these creatures can change colour from sand white to black blotches matching the background in a split second. I also saw two different species of eel and several flounders blending in with the sand. There was a good selection of Parrot fish, Yellow Tail Damsel fish, Angel fish, Trumpet fish, Sargent Majors, Blue Tangs etc. Since I had rather limited expectations going into the water, I was pleasantly surprised to see the diversity. It was fun."
Steven Williams
"Great spot to snorkel, biggest variety of fishes I have seen in Curacao. 8$ for a chair, can bring ur own drinks. Bar available."
byle usee
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Tugboat Beach is located on the eastern side of Curacao, near Caracasbaai. The best way to reach it is by car, as public transport is limited. The road can be rough and unpaved, so a sturdy vehicle is recommended.
Yes, there is free parking available at Tugboat Beach.
While you can reach Tugboat Beach with a regular car, a 4x4 or a vehicle with higher clearance is advisable due to the rough and unpaved road conditions.
Taxis are available in Curacao, but it might be more convenient and cost-effective to rent a car for exploring the island, including Tugboat Beach.
The beach itself is accessible, but the rough road leading to it might pose challenges for those with mobility issues. Once on the beach, amenities like chairs are available.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, the entrance to Tugboat Beach is free. You only pay for optional rentals like chairs or water scooters.
Tugboat Beach is generally accessible during daylight hours. There are no official opening or closing times posted, but it's best to visit when there's natural light for activities like snorkeling.
No advance booking is required for Tugboat Beach as it's a public beach with free entry.
Yes, there is a small bar where you can buy drinks, a shack for snorkel and electric water scooter rentals, and lounge chairs available for rent.
Absolutely! Bringing your own food and drinks is a great way to save money and enjoy a picnic on the beach.
🎫 🐠 Onsite Experience
Snorkeling and diving are the top activities, thanks to the sunken tugboat and abundant marine life. Painting driftwood is also a popular creative option.
Yes, Tugboat Beach is considered one of the best snorkeling spots in Curacao, with a shipwreck just a few meters offshore and a diverse array of fish.
You can expect to see a variety of fish like parrotfish, angelfish, trumpetfish, sergeant majors, and blue tangs. Octopuses and eels have also been spotted.
The tugboat wreck is located at a shallow depth of approximately 5 meters (about 16 feet), making it easily accessible for snorkelers.
Yes, you can rent snorkel gear and electric water scooters at Tugboat Beach.
🎫 🎨 Arts & Crafts
Yes, Tugboat Beach offers a unique art experience where you can paint your own driftwood souvenir.
You choose a piece of driftwood, paint it white as a base, and then let your creativity flow to design your own artwork to take home.
The driftwood painting is a fun and engaging activity for all ages, including children.
The art workshop is located on the beach, often near the rental shack and bar. Look for signs or ask the friendly staff.
Pricing for driftwood painting can vary, but it's generally an affordable way to create a personalized souvenir. Inquire at the beach for current costs.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Beyond snorkeling, the driftwood painting activity offers a creative and engaging option for kids, allowing them to express their artistic side and create a personalized souvenir.
While the beach itself is made of broken coral, bringing water shoes is highly recommended for everyone's comfort and safety. The friendly staff at the rental shack can also provide helpful tips for maximizing the snorkeling experience for the whole family. 🐠 Snorkelers & Divers
This makes it easily accessible for both snorkelers and beginner divers. The wreck has become a thriving artificial reef, attracting a remarkable variety of marine life. You can expect to see a diverse range of fish species, including parrotfish, angelfish, and trumpetfish, as well as more elusive creatures like octopuses and eels.
🎨 Art & Craft Enthusiasts
Choose a piece of driftwood, paint it, and take home a personalized piece of art that captures the spirit of Curacao. This creative outlet adds another dimension to the beach experience, appealing to those who appreciate a touch of artistry. The beach itself has a funky and artistic vibe, with various creative touches visible around the area.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Tugboat Wreck: An Underwater Gem
Many visitors are surprised by the richness of the underwater world surrounding the tugboat. Despite the industrial backdrop of an oil platform nearby, the waters teem with colorful fish. Expect to see parrotfish, angelfish, trumpetfish, sergeant majors, and blue tangs. Some lucky visitors have even spotted octopuses and eels camouflaging themselves against the rocks.
For those interested in history, the tugboat itself is a fascinating subject. Its deliberate sinking has created a thriving habitat, showcasing how human intervention can sometimes lead to ecological benefits. The experience of swimming alongside this submerged vessel, surrounded by schools of fish, is often described as magical and a definite highlight of any Curacao trip.
+1Beyond the Wreck: Art and Relaxation
The beach itself provides a relaxed atmosphere. While the sand is made of broken coral and can be a bit rough, requiring water shoes, there are amenities to enhance your comfort. Lounge chairs are available for rent, and a small bar serves drinks, allowing you to unwind by the water.
For the more adventurous, electric water scooters are also available for rent, adding an extra element of fun to your beach day. Whether you're looking to snorkel, dive, create art, or simply relax, Tugboat Beach offers a multifaceted experience that appeals to a wide range of visitors.
Navigating the Journey to Tugboat Beach
Many travelers opt to rent a car for their Curacao adventures, and this is highly recommended for accessing Tugboat Beach and exploring other less accessible parts of the island.
While taxis can be an option, they might be less practical for reaching this specific location compared to having your own vehicle. The journey, though potentially bumpy, is considered well worth the effort once you arrive and experience the unique offerings of Tugboat Beach.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit