Silversea Luxury Cruises To Willemstad (Curacao)

Experience the tropical treasures of Curacao from above-and-below sea level during this picturesque, half-day beach and snorkel excursion.

Willemstad, Playa Grandi, Coral Reefs, Tropical Fish, Marine Life, Swimming, Snorkelling, Turtles

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 45-minute drive through the countryside en route to Playa Grandi, a pristine beach located on the westernmost point of the island and one of two great snorkelling spots to be visited today. Upon arrival, receive your safety and snorkelling instructions and gear, then enter the crystal-clear water and begin your first snorkelling session. The amazing undersea world of Curacao abounds with multi-coloured coral reefs, tropical fish and marine life, and an opportunity to swim with the turtles that frequently visit Playa Grandi.

Cas Abao Beach, Beach Chair, Complimentary Drink, Sunbathing, Swimming, Snorkelling

After swimming and snorkelling at this splendid underwater marine park, re-board your coach and head to Cas Abao Beach. Your relaxing visit here includes a beach chair, complimentary drink and showers. Upon arrival, you can relax and unwind, soak up the tropical sun, and join your guide for the day's second swimming and snorkelling session in the beautiful blue waters of the Caribbean Sea. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 40-minute drive back to the pier.

Discover the island beauty and sights of Curacao in an eco-friendly new way during this invigorating sightseeing excursion via electric bike.

Williamstad, E-Bike Safety and Riding Instructions, Guided E-Bike-Ride

After receiving your E-Bike safety and riding instructions, don your safety helmet, hop on your E-Bike and begin your guided biking excursion. Your new, peddle-assisted E-Bike enables you to access places that buses cannot, and go further than you would on-foot.

Otrobanda, Punda, Queen Emma Bridge, Harbour Area, Fort Amsterdam, Pietermaai Cathedral

Your route begins with a ride through Otrobanda en route to Punda. Along the way, cross over the famous Queen Emma Bridge, a floating bridge connecting both sides of the capital. From here, pass by and view historical monuments in the inner-city and harbour area, an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Included are the colourful merchant houses on the quay of the harbour entrance, Fort Amsterdam, Curacao National Archive, also known as the 'Wedding Cake House', Pietermaai Cathedral, and the former floating fruit and vegetable market.

Shopping Stop, Integra Natural, Scharloo, '3 O'Clock Romance' Mural, Pietermaai

Next, a shopping stop is made at Integra Natural, a venue offering natural Curaçaoan products, including body scrubs and lotions, soaps, lip balms, organic teas, cleaning and pet care products, and more. Leaving Inegra Natural, your E-Bike-ride continues through Scharloo. Here, see murals from the famous artist, Francis Sling. His 3 O'Clock Romance is one of the most photographed mural in Scharloo. After passing through Pietermaai, your tour concludes with a short ride back to the pier.

This tour combines an interesting look at Curaçao's countryside and the town of Willemstad.

Leaving the pier, your drive takes you east into the countryside past the salt flats, a favorite habitat of flamingoes. Continue your drive to the Hato Caves located near the island's airport.

Hato Caves

Comprised of a dramatic collection of grottos filled with stalactites, stalagmites and crystal-clear pools, these mystical caves offer a look at Curaçao from a different perspective. At the foot of the caves is the Petroglyph Trail. A short stroll will take you past an ancient shelter used by slave shepherds with exceptional 1,500-year-old religious scenes carved into the rock walls. Leaving the caves, continue to the Curaçao Museum in Otrobanda.

Curaçao Museum

Founded in 1946, the museum is housed in a former military quarantine hospital. The exhibits include contemporary art and a display offering some insight into life on the island during the mid-19th century.

Queen Juliana Bridge

Following your visit, continue with your drive across the Queen Juliana Bridge. From its height of 200 feet (60 metres) above Willemstad, you are afforded magnificent views of the capital and the Queen Emma Pontoon bridge, which provides a pedestrian link between Otrobanda and Punda.

The Chobolobo Liqueur Factory and Punda

Continue to Chobolobo to enjoy a taste of the world famous Blue Curacao Liqueur and see how it is made. Next, your guide will point out major points of interest as you drive through Punda in the heart of Willemstad. If you wish to stay in town, you may leave the tour at this point and return to the pier on your own, or stay with the coach for the short drive back to the ship.

Explore a taste pair of unique and interesting products from Curaçao during this scenic and informative, sightseeing and shopping excursion.

Willemstad, Aloe Vera Farm, Tour and Tasting, Onsite Shop

Depart the pier for the short drive to the Aloe Vera Farm. Upon arrival, take a seat underneath the big palapa and learn about the plantation, farm and the healing effects of the aloe vera plant. In addition, you will learn how aloe juice is made out of this plant, then proceed for a tasting of 100% pure aloe vera. Afterward, some free time is made available to browse the onsite shop, which sells products containing this wonderful botanical ingredient.

Chobolobo Mansion, Liqueur Distillery, Tour and Tasting, Onsite Shop

Next, re-board your coach and head to the Chobolobo Mansion, an original liqueur distillery where delicious liqueurs like the famous 'Blue Curaçao' are produced. Upon arrival, take a guided walking tour. See the machines they still use to make these delicious drinks, and learn about how the distillery process works. Following your tour, proceed for a tasting of Blue Curacao, then stop by the onsite shop for an opportunity to purchase their flavourful, multi-coloured liqueurs as souvenirs of your visit.

City Centre, Tropical Building, Colonial Mansions, Bridge, Superb Harbour and City View

Leaving the mansion, re-board your coach and commence the short drive back to the pier. En route, pass through the city centre, then by fascinating tropical buildings and colourful, old, Colonial-style mansions. From the bridge, enjoy a spectacular panoramic view overlooking the harbour city centre

During this off-road adventure, you will encounter Curaçao's natural beauty and together with your guide discover the 'well-kept secrets' of the Island, as you visit areas only accessible with an off-road vehicle.

En-route to Hato Viakte,Voodoo Cave

En-route to Hato Viakte your journey of discovery will cross the arid rugged plain with its unique cacti and limestone rock formation. Distinctive limestone plateaus exist and hidden caves have formed over time, your local guide will escort you to "Kueba di Brua" which translated means the Voodoo Cave.

Brief photo stop at Bull's Eye

A brief photo stop will be made at Bull's Eye, once used as a WWII training target for allied dive-bombers, a monument now stands as a tribute to those who served.

Stop at the "Supldo Patrick"

After leaving the Curaçao's 'Desert' we will visit the 'Suplado Patrick', this natural blowhole is one of the most visited sites on the Island. The windier and rougher the weather, the better the show !

The expanding tourism sector is key to the Islands economy. In contrast, during the journey back to the ship your route will pass the Island's dry dock and bunkering facility your guide will explain the importance oil refining and transshipment,

Salt Plainf of Sint Michiel

As you continue passed salt plains of Sint Michiel you may be fortunate enough to see the native flamingo.

Discover the fascinating underwater world of Curaçao as you glide along in the comfort of your air-conditioned semi-sub.

Willemstad, Seaworld Explorer

From the dock in Willemstad, it's only a short drive to the Seaworld Explorer, a state-of-the-art semi-submarine. Developed in Australia for use on the Great Barrier Reef, this vessel does not actually submerge. You'll descend into the hull of this cruising underwater observatory, and sit in air-conditioned comfort, 5 feet below the surface of the water.

South Coast of Curaço, Coral Reefs, Sea wall

As you explore the sea life through large glass windows, see dozens of colorful tropical fish such as Yellowtail Snapper, Sergeant Majors, Parrotfish and Queen Angelfish. Your underwater adventure also includes a narrated tour of the coral reefs along the south side of the island, which took thousands of years to grow. Look out for the diver, who will feed some of the fish, alongside the Seaworld Explorer. Just offshore you'll also observe the ocean wall, which drops sharply to depths of several hundred feet.

This tour concludes back at the pier.

This tour will give you the opportunity to see Curaçao from the sea and as well as the land.

Seaworld Explorer

The Seaworld Explorer is a state-of-the-art semi-submersible developed in Australia for use on the Great Barrier Reef. The vessel does not submerge; you descend into the hull of the boat and sit in air-conditioned comfort five feet below the surface of the water, observing sea life through clear glass windows.

Depart the pier for the three-mile drive to the Curaçao Hilton Hotel & Casino Resort and board the Seaworld Explorer. Your narrated tour takes you along the coral reefs on the south side of the island. Just offshore is a wall that drops sharply to depths of several hundred feet. From your underwater viewpoint you have a perfect view of the tropical marine life including colorful parrot fish and queen angelfish, as well as colonies of delicate coral that were thousands of years in the making. Watch in awe as a diver is surrounded by hungry fish as he hand-feeds them right in front of your window. A marine expert is available to provide information on the amazing underwater world surrounding your vessel.

Queen Juliana Bridge

Once back on land, head over the Queen Juliana Bridge, which rises 200 feet above Willemstad and affords a magnificent view of the capital and the Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge, a pedestrian link between Otrobanda and Punda.

The Chobolobo Liqueur Factory and Punda

Continue to Chobolobo to enjoy a taste of the world famous Blue Curacao Liqueur and see how it is made. Next, your guide will point out major points of interest as you drive through Punda in the heart of Willemstad. If you wish to stay in town, you may leave the tour at this point and return to the pier on your own, or stay with the coach for the short drive back to the ship.

Experience the beauty and history of Willemstad from a unique perspective during this picturesque sunset and harbour cruise excursion.

Willemstad, Catamaran-Ride, Harbour Cruise, Historic Dutch Buildings, Three Bridges

After a short walk from the gangway to the catamaran, depart the pier aboard the Pelican, a double-decker catamaran featuring both open-air and covered decks. Once on board, begin your sunset harbour cruise through the crystal-clear waters of Willemstad. Pass through the harbour entrance, and take in a wonderful view of the historic buildings built in the Dutch architectural style. See the three bridges that were built to connect the different parts of the town, and named after the queens of Holland.

Restaurants, Shopping Malls, Refinery, Commercial Container Harbour

Next, your catamaran passes by the old forts that were originally built to protect the entrance of the harbour, and have since been restored and converted in restaurants and shopping malls. The refinery and commercial container harbour are also part of the scenery.

Open-Water Sail, Caribbean Sunset, Return Sail

Following the harbour cruise, your catamaran sails out into open water, then makes a short spin around the entrance of the harbour to capture a spectacular panoramic view of an exquisite Caribbean sunset. After the sun has set, sail back into the harbour and return to the pier. Upon arrival, disembark the boat and walk back to the ship on-foot.

Experience the beauty of Curaçao's capital on a tour that takes you through historic Willemstad.

From the pier, you are transferred by taxi across the Queen Juliana Bridge to the waiting trolley train.

Scharloo

Your tour begins at Fort Amsterdam then it is off to Scharloo, a residential neighborhood with picturesque homes built by Curaçao's wealthy merchants during the 1880s. Stop at Bolo di Bruit, known as the Wedding Cake House and the city's most photographed building. It is now the site of the Central Historical Archives.

Pietermaai Cathedral

Leaving Scharloo, enter Pietermaii Cathedral, the largest and most impressive church on the island. In addition, view Queen Wilhelmina Park, the scene of frequent cultural events, and Water Fort Arches, an imposing fortress that was the site of the Willhem III Barracks.

Fort Amsterdam

Finally, visit Fort Amsterdam built in 1635 to guard the vital entrance of the harbor from enemy ships. The citadel was later converted into the Governor's Palace and the office of the Central Government of the Netherlands Antilles. The fort is one of many structures that lend a sense of history and atmosphere to the city, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

At the end of the tour a taxi awaits to take you back to the ship or you may wish to stay in town and walk the short distance back to the ship.