3H or 4H | Private Boat Trip | Swim, Board or Snorkel

The best thing about this Curaçao boat trip is the freedom to shape the day as you go. You can spend more time snorkeling at the Tugboat Wreck, pause for a swim, try wakeboarding, or simply cruise through Spanish Waters and take in the shore. Bettina and Marc run the outing themselves, so the experience feels personal rather than like a timed boat shuttle.

I like the private format, especially for families or mixed-age groups who do not all want the same thing. I also like that the boat carries both snorkeling gear and board-sport equipment, letting you switch from quiet fish watching to active fun without booking separate activities.

The main consideration is physical. You need to swim, climb a small ladder back onto the boat, and handle a moderate level of activity. Rough water can also affect the plan, so this is not the best choice if you want a guaranteed calm-sea outing.

Key points to know before you book

• Choose your own mix of activities: Swim, snorkel, sunbathe, cruise, wakeboard, kneeboard, or use the multifunctional board.
• See the shallow Tugboat Wreck: The wreck is a key snorkeling stop, with fish, coral, and the chance of spotting other marine life.
• Start among Spanish Waters villas and mangroves: The opening cruise gives you a softer, scenic beginning before the water sports.
• Use a private 21-foot boat: Your group of up to five people does not share the boat with strangers.
• Plan for a three or four-hour outing: The longer option gives you more time to combine snorkeling, sightseeing, and board sports.
• Bring food and drinks if needed: Bottled water is provided, but snacks, lunch, soda, and alcohol are not included.

A private Curaçao boat day with room to change plans

This outing works best when you think of it as a flexible half-day on the water, not a rigid sightseeing route. You meet at Kima Kalki Marina in Brakkeput Ariba, near Willemstad, and return to the same marina when the trip ends. Transportation to the pier is not included, so you will need to arrange your own way there.

The price is $365 per group of up to five people. That works out to $73 per person for five people, before any food, drinks, or transportation costs. For a couple, the per-person price is higher, but you are paying for a private boat and a customized schedule rather than a seat on a larger shared cruise.

You can book a three-hour or four-hour outing. The three-hour option is enough for a compact mix of sightseeing, swimming, and one or two water activities. I would lean toward four hours if your group wants the Tugboat Wreck, Fort Beekenburg, a beach stop, and time on the board. Water sports take a little time to learn, even with helpful instruction.

Bettina and Marc are the hosts and crew. Their role is a big part of the experience. Marc handles the boat, while Bettina has been especially helpful with first-time snorkelers and children. Their approach suits people who want guidance without giving up control of the day.

Spanish Waters gives the trip an easy start

Every outing begins with sightseeing through Spanish Waters. This sheltered area is known for impressive homes, mangroves, and coastal scenery. It is a useful first chapter because you can settle into the boat before deciding how active you want the rest of the trip to be.

The cruise also gives Marc a chance to share facts about Curaçao and point out features along the shore. This is not a long historical tour, but it adds local context to what you are seeing. You get more than a straight ride to a swimming spot.

Spanish Waters is also the natural place to try the board sports. The water here can provide a more comfortable setting for wakeboarding, kneeboarding, or using the multifunctional board. That board is designed for lying, kneeling, or standing, so beginners can start at a lower level instead of being expected to stand immediately.

You can request a wakeboard in advance. The information provided does not promise that every board sport will be available automatically, so make your request before the trip if wakeboarding is a priority. The equipment is included, but you should expect to listen carefully to instructions and accept that first attempts may be more splash than style.

The Tugboat Wreck is the main underwater stop

The Tugboat Wreck is the signature snorkeling stop. It rests in relatively shallow water, which makes it more approachable than a deeper wreck site. Around the wreck, you may see fish, coral, and other marine life. One outing included an eel sighting, a reminder that the most interesting finds are not always the biggest ones.

This stop is valuable for two reasons. First, the wreck gives you something definite to look at underwater. Second, the shallow setting can make snorkeling feel less intimidating for people who are still getting comfortable in the sea.

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins unless you prefer your personal gear. Non-swimmers are not recommended for this trip, however. You need enough confidence in the water to move away from the boat and climb back aboard.

Sea conditions matter. One outing had to be cut short because the water became rough, with a refund provided for unused time. That is a good sign that the crew takes conditions seriously, but it also means you should avoid treating the exact water plan as guaranteed. The captain may adjust the route or shorten a stop for safety.

Fort Beekenburg adds a short land option

Fort Beekenburg was built by the Dutch and sits above the coast with broad views. The boat can stop nearby, and you may swim ashore and climb the stairs if you want to explore. This creates a welcome change from remaining on the boat for the full outing.

Allow about 15 minutes for this stop. That is enough for a quick look, a climb, and some photographs, but not a full historical visit. The appeal is the setting and the view rather than a long guided fort tour.

Wear water shoes if you plan to go ashore. The walk can be uneven, and you will be moving between the boat, water, and fort steps. If your group includes someone who has trouble with stairs or reboarding a boat, it may be better to enjoy the fort from the water.

The stop is optional, which is another advantage of a private trip. One person can choose a short swim to shore while others remain aboard. You are not tied to the pace of a full boatload of people.

Santa Barbara Beach offers a quieter pause

The boat can dock at the Santa Barbara pier, where you can spend time at the beach and jump into the water. This stop is listed at about 30 minutes, making it a useful break between snorkeling and board sports.

Santa Barbara Beach gives the day a different feel. The Tugboat Wreck is about looking underwater, while this stop is more about relaxing, swimming, and enjoying the shore. If you have children or a mixed group, that variety helps keep the trip from becoming too repetitive.

The beach stop is also a practical place to slow down if some members of your group want less activity. You can sunbathe on the boat, swim, or spend time by the pier rather than trying to fit in every possible sport.

The schedule remains flexible, so the exact combination of stops can change. Some groups have spent time at several snorkeling sites, while others have added a restaurant stop during a four-hour trip. Food is not included, and you should confirm any restaurant plan with the crew rather than assuming it is part of the standard outing.

Board sports turn the outing into an active half-day

The water sports are a major reason to choose this tour over a basic sightseeing cruise. The included equipment can support wakeboarding, kneeboarding, and the multifunctional board. You can try standing, kneeling, or lying positions depending on your ability and comfort.

First-timers are welcome in the sense that instruction is provided. Bettina and Marc have helped beginners get started, including children and adults who had never wakeboarded before. Still, this is not a lesson program with a fixed progression. You will get guidance, encouragement, and time to practice, but your success will depend on balance, strength, and comfort in the water.

I would make board sports a priority at the start of the booking conversation. Tell the crew what you want to try, and request wakeboarding ahead of time. If your group has several beginners, allow enough time for everyone to take turns.

The private boat format matters here. On a shared excursion, you might get a short turn because many people are waiting. With only your own group aboard, you can spend more time on the activity or move on when it stops being fun.

What is included, and what should you bring?

The boat is a 21-foot, or 7-meter, vessel with crew. The size is suitable for a small private group of up to five, but do not expect the room of a large catamaran. The reward is a more personal outing and a direct say in how the time is used.

Included items are:

• Bottled water
• Snorkeling equipment
• A multifunctional board
• Boat and crew
• Wakeboard, when requested in advance

Soda, alcohol, snacks, and lunch are not included. Pack food and drinks if you want a meal on board, and remember that the tour operator does not provide transportation to Kima Kalki Marina.

Water shoes are useful if you plan to walk at Fort Beekenburg. You should also bring ordinary sun protection and a swimsuit, although specific packing requirements are not provided. Keep your belongings manageable on a 21-foot boat, where space is naturally limited.

The maximum boarding weight is 300 pounds, or 136 kilograms. A basic level of agility is required, including the ability to climb the small ladder from the water back onto the boat. People affected by obesity and non-swimmers are not advised to book.

Why the private format is worth the price

The strongest value here is not the number of stops. It is the ability to decide how much time you spend at each one. You can skip a beach pause, stay longer at the wreck, make room for a restaurant stop, or focus on board sports instead of sightseeing.

For a group of five, $365 is a reasonable price for a private boat with crew, equipment, and three to four hours on the water. The value drops for a couple unless you place a high price on privacy and flexibility. A shared boat may cost less per person, but it will not give you the same control over the pace.

Families can get especially good value from the arrangement. Children may want to snorkel for ten minutes, try a board, and then swim again, while adults may prefer sightseeing or a quiet stop. Bettina has helped young children learn to snorkel, which can make a first attempt feel less daunting.

The boat also suits groups celebrating a birthday or marking a special day. The flexible format lets you mix active time with lunch, swimming, and sightseeing rather than choosing a single theme.

Who should book this Curaçao boat trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A private outing for up to five people
• A flexible schedule rather than a fixed group route
• Snorkeling at the Tugboat Wreck
• A chance to try wakeboarding or kneeboarding
• A family-friendly boat day with attentive hosts
• A mix of water sports, coastal sightseeing, and swimming
• The option to spend more or less time at each stop

You may want another type of activity if you do not swim, dislike small boats, or need a fully accessible way to enter and leave the water. It is also not ideal if you want a guaranteed route regardless of weather. Sea conditions can affect the plan, and the crew may shorten the trip or change stops when the water is rough.

The 21-foot boat is comfortable for a small group, but five adults with lots of bags and equipment will have less spare room than they would on a large vessel. Pack lightly and be realistic about the space.

Booking, cancellation, and weather details

You receive confirmation when you book, and the activity ends back at Kima Kalki Marina. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

The trip requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Since conditions can also change during an outing, keep your schedule a little flexible rather than booking an important flight or fixed appointment immediately afterward.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a small, personal boat day where snorkeling, swimming, sightseeing, and board sports can share the same schedule. Bettina and Marc make the experience particularly suited to families, first-time snorkelers, and groups with different ideas about fun.

For the best value, bring four or five people, request wakeboarding in advance, and choose the four-hour option if you want to combine the Tugboat Wreck, Fort Beekenburg, Santa Barbara Beach, and time on the boards. If you only want a calm sightseeing cruise, the physical demands and weather limits may make this more active than you need.

FAQ

How long is the private boat trip?

You can choose a three-hour or four-hour outing. The exact use of the time depends on what your group wants to do and see.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $365 per group of up to five people.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Kima Kalki Marina N.V., Brakkeput Ariba 62, Willemstad, Curaçao.

Does the tour return to the marina?

Yes. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is transportation to the marina included?

No. Transportation to Kima Kalki Marina is not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Is wakeboarding equipment included?

Wakeboarding equipment is included if requested in advance.

Can children join the tour?

Children can join, but the activity requires basic physical agility and swimming ability. The information provided does not set a minimum age.

Is the boat suitable for non-swimmers?

No. The activity is not recommended for non-swimmers.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can receive a full refund or choose another date.