Cruise to Curacao

Curacao is one of the Caribbean’s most enjoyable and accessible cruise destinations. Whether you’re visiting for a few hours or spending a full day on the island, Curacao offers a perfect mix of beaches, culture, shopping, and colorful history - all within walking distance of the Curacao cruise port in Willemstad.

With year-round sunshine, a walkable UNESCO-listed city center, and easy access to beaches and excursions, it’s no surprise that Curacao is a favorite stop on Southern Caribbean itineraries.

What to Expect When Your Cruise Arrives in Curacao

Cruise passengers are welcomed by bright colors, calm turquoise water, and the warm island atmosphere Curacao is known for. The coastline is ideal for spending a relaxing beach day or exploring the city at your own pace.

Highlights

Cruise terminal located in the heart of Willemstad
UNESCO World Heritage city center within minutes
Easy access to beaches, shops, cafés, and local markets
38 beautiful beaches around the island
Year-round sunny, warm weather
No shuttle needed - simply walk into the city
English- and Dutch-speaking guides
Reliable return-to-ship planning
Safe and well-organized destinations

Curacao is perfect for cruise visitors who want a destination that is easy, safe, and full of variety.

What to Do During a Cruise Stop in Curacao

Even with limited time, Curacao offers a wide range of experiences. Depending on your ship’s schedule, you can easily combine city highlights, beaches, culture, and adventure in one day.
Popular cruise activities include:

• Guided Willemstad walking tours (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
• Beach escapes to places like Cas Abao, Porto Mari or Mambo Beach
• Klein Curacao boat trips (for ships with long- or overnight port stays)
• Snorkeling & diving excursions
• Jeep, ATV & UTV island tours
• Blue Curaçao distillery visits
• National Parks like Christoffel, Shete Boka and Rif Mangrove
• Swimming with dolphins
• Island tours with local guides
• Shopping & lunch experiences in Punda and Otrobanda

See all cruise-friendly shore excursions in Curacao

Curacao Cruise Port Terminals

The island has two main cruise terminals, both located in downtown Willemstad, making it one of the most walkable cruise ports in the Caribbean.

1. Mega Pier (Mega Cruise Pier / Megapier Tula)
The Mega Pier is where the largest Caribbean cruise ships dock.
Location: Otrobanda

Walking distances:

Rif Fort Village: 1 minute
Queen Emma Bridge: 5–10minutes
Punda shopping district: 10 minutes

This is the primary Curacao cruise terminal for most major cruise lines.

2. Mathey Wharf (Mathey Cruise Terminal / Mathey Werf)
Mathey Wharf receives mid-size cruise ships and smaller vessels.
Location: Punda side of St. Anna Bay

Walking distances:

Punda & Handelskade: 5–7minutes
Floating Market: 5 minutes
Local museums & historic sites: short walk

Both cruise ports provide easy access to the city center, well-maintained walking routes, and excellent photo opportunities - making them ideal for visitors with limited time ashore. At each port, you’ll also find information stands where staff can assist with questions about Willemstad and the island. Be sure to pick up our free cruise map, which includes a detailed map of Willemstad and Curacao, a self-guided walking tour, and exclusive offers from nearby shops, restaurants, and activities.

Cruise Arrivals in Curacao

Curacao is one of the busiest cruise ports in the Southern Caribbean.

Nearly 1.4 million visitors arrived in 2023
800,000+ cruise passengers per year
Cruise ships arrive 5–8 times per week

During cruise days, Willemstad becomes lively and vibrant, with multilingual crowds, local music, and many shops offering prices in USD for convenience.

Getting Around on Cruise Days

Willemstad is extremely walkable, and most highlights are close to the port.

Within Walking Distance:

Queen Emma Bridge
Handelskade
Renaissance Mall & Rif Fort Village
Floating Market
Plasa Bieu (local food hall)
Curacao Maritime History Museum
Kurá Hulanda Village & Museum
Pietermaai District
Rif Mangrove Park

Day Trips by Taxi, Shuttle, or Tour:

Cruise passengers often explore:

Mambo Beach Boulevard (10–12 min)
Blue Bay Beach (10–15 min)
Hato Caves (15-20 min)
Jan Thiel Beach (15-20 min)
TugBoat Beach (20-25 min)
Playa Porto Mari or Cas Abao (25–35 min)
Shete Boka National Park (50–60 min)
Christoffel National Park (45–55 min)

Most beaches and attractions offer taxis or tour pick-up points tailored to cruise schedules.

Shopping, Dining & Things To Do Near the Port

Cruise visitors have some of the island’s best shopping and dining directly next to the terminal:

Renaissance Mall & Rif Fort Village

International brands
Local boutiques
Souvenir shops
Waterfront restaurants & bars

Punda & Pietermaai

Local art galleries
Coffee shops
Cocktail bars
Trendy restaurants
Cultural landmarks

All within 5–10 minutes on foot.

Transportation from the Cruise Port

From the terminal, you can easily access:

Taxis – fixed fares to most major beaches and districts
Guided tours – meet directly at port pick-up zones
Car rentals – available near the terminal
Shuttle services – often arranged by beaches and tour operators

Public buses are available but not recommended for cruise itineraries due to limited schedules.
Learn more about the different transportation options

Cruise Lines Visiting Curacao

Curacao welcomes ships from many international cruise lines, including:

Royal Caribbean
Carnival Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
MSC Cruises
Celebrity Cruises
Corendon Cruises

Practical Information for Cruise Visitors

Local currency: Caribbean guilder (Cg), but USD is widely accepted
The Queen Emma Bridge may open for ships - allow extra time when crossing
Wi-Fi is available in malls, cafés, and restaurants
Shops often adjust opening hours based on cruise schedules
Most places accept cash, credit cards, or USD

Book Cruise Shore Excursions in Curacao - Make the Most Out of Your Cruise Stop

Curacao is one of the Caribbean’s most cruise-friendly destinations, known for its compact size, calm waters, and wide variety of attractions located close to the cruise ports in Willemstad. At My Curacao Guide, we specialize in shore excursions in Curacao designed specifically for cruise passengers, whether you have a few hours ashore or a full day to explore.

All tours are carefully selected to fit cruise ship schedules, allowing you to explore Curacao with confidence and return to your ship on time.

All shore excursions featured on this page are:

Carefully selected to fit cruise ship schedules
Easy to reach from the cruise ports in Curacao
Operated by trusted and experienced local partners
Available for advance booking to avoid sell-outs on cruise days

Quickly Browse and Book Top Shore Excursions in Curacao

Explore all shore excursions in Curacao

Dolphin Experiences – One of Curacao’s Most Popular Shore Excursions

Dolphin encounters are among the most popular cruise shore excursions in Curacao. Located close to Willemstad, these experiences are ideal for cruise guests looking for a unique and unforgettable activity without long travel times.

Available dolphin shore excursions in Curacao include:

Dolphin Encounter – interact with dolphins from a shallow platform
Dolphin Swim – swim and interact with dolphins in deep water
Dolphin Snorkel & Free Dive – snorkel or free dive alongside dolphins

These tours are suitable for both half-day and full-day cruise stops and are among the first excursions to sell out on cruise days.

Nature, Wildlife & Unique Experiences

For cruise visitors looking to experience a different side of Curacao, these nature-based shore excursions offer a refreshing alternative to beaches and city tours.

Explore Curacao’s natural beauty through guided marine experiences, jungle-style parks, mangroves, aloe farm visits, and impressive nature reserves. These tours are well-timed for cruise schedules and provide meaningful, memorable experiences close to the port.

Local Rum & Distillery Experiences

Discover Curacao’s culture, flavors, and craftsmanship within just a few hours of docking. These easy-going shore excursions are perfect for cruise guests who want authentic experiences without long travel times. Popular cultural shore excursions include distillery tours and hands-on local craft & tasting experiences – all located near Willemstad and ideal for cruise stops.

Water Adventures & Marine Experiences

Curacao’s calm and clear waters make it ideal for water-based cruise shore excursions that fit easily within limited port time. Choose from fun and accessible marine activities such as underwater experiences, jet ski tours, and relaxed water sports in sheltered bays – perfect for warm-weather fun without committing to a full-day boat trip.

Off-Road & Adventure Shore Excursions

For travelers seeking excitement, Curacao offers rugged terrain and scenic coastlines best explored off-road.

UTV and jeep shore excursions take you to parts of Curacao most cruise visitors never see, combining adventure driving with sightseeing and snorkeling stops. These tours work well for both half-day and full-day cruise calls.

Walking Tours & City Experiences (Directly from the Cruise Port)

Perfect for cruise guests who prefer to stay close to the ship, these city-focused shore excursions start near the cruise terminals in Willemstad.

Explore colorful neighborhoods, historic streets, and local culture at a relaxed pace through guided or audio-guided walking tours - ideal for shorter port stays.

Whether you’re looking for dolphin encounters, cultural experiences, adventure tours, water activities, or relaxed city walks, My Curacao Guide offers the most complete selection of cruise-friendly shore excursions in Curacao, all in one place.

Explore All Shore Excursions in Curacao

Why Book Shore Excursions With My Curacao Guide?

Lowest Price Guarantee
Cruise-friendly timing and logistics
Trusted, licensed local partners
Easy and secure online booking
24-hour free cancellation on most tours
40+ years of local expertise
Local office and on-island support in Curacao

We focus on quality, reliability, and shore excursions that truly fit your cruise stop, so you can enjoy Curacao without last-minute stress.

Book Your Curacao Shore Excursions in Advance

Curacao is a busy cruise destination, and many popular shore excursions sell out on cruise days – especially dolphin experiences, off-road tours, and limited-capacity activities.

Booking ahead ensures:

Guaranteed availability
Smooth planning of your port day
No stress or long lines at the pier