Curaçao Off The Beaten Path

...TRY AND WITNESS THE CORAL SPAWNING!
A once-in-a-lifetime experience in the Dutch Caribbean!
2007 ONLY CORAL SPAWNINGs: SEPT 29-OCT 6 and OCT 29-NOV 6 2007
"Sometimes referred to as “the best kept secret in the Caribbean,” one of the most wonderful things about diving in Curaçao is its versatility to accommodate divers of varying certifications. Whether visitors prefer to remain in very shallow water or dive down deeper along the coral walls, the marine life is plentiful and the conditions are near perfect. "

Divers visiting the Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao will have a once-in-a-lifetime experience when the natural phenomenon of 'coral spawning' takes place 3 to 10 days AFTER Full Moon, in 2007: between September 29th and October 6th, and the 2nd spawning around Oct.29 and Nov. 6. Caused by certain environmental conditions, including high water temperatures and the lunar phase, coral spawning is the moment when multiple coral species, together with other invertebrates, release their gametes into the water column! For more info, try these sites:
www.curacao.com, and:
www. Reefcare.org

This bridge is 185 feet abone Santa Anna Bay.
Mortorists have a wonderful view of Willemstad as they pass over the bay.
It is for motor vehicles only so don't even think about walking up to get a picture.

Knip Beach it is one of the largest and most scenic beaches of the island. The sand is as white as snow. It was pretty quiet on the week day that we were there but can be full on week-ends.
Little Knip Bay is right next door.

There is also a trail in National Park Shete Boka that heads along the shore to Boka Wandomi where the water has carved out a natural bridge which is viewable by descending the stairs to the beach or by standing on the platform provided at the top.

Drive on a poorly marked dusty trail into a rather rough and kind of boring looking countryside. At the end of this dusty trail, you will reach Boka Pistol, a quite impressive place. The high waves of the northern coast crush into Boka Pistol forming a huge water fountain or blowhole. You will get sprayed but it is well worth it.

Hugging the rugged northern shore is Shete Boka, the island’s newest national park, a series of picturesque bays, beaches, rugged cliffs.
This was one of my favorite places on Curacao. I could stand on the platforms and watch the waves come in and crash against the cliffs, for hours at a time
There was a small entrance fee that went toward the preservation of the nesting sea turtles.

You can go on a guided tour of Hato Caves and see much of the caves 52,000 square feet. There are freshwater pools, waterfalls, and interesting formations, as well as bats.
A path outside the caves leads to Indian petroglyphs.

A flock of several hundred Flamingos can be see feeding in the salt pans of Jan Kok.
They filter their food out of the water. You can see them kicking up the bottom to find snails, mosquitos and the larvae of brine flies.
If you stop try to be very quiet because they are very shy.