The Spanish Water — the most beautiful lagoon in the Caribbean.
A sheltered natural bay on the southeast coast of Curaçao, surrounded by mangroves, villas and marinas. Watersports paradise and starting point for the best boat trips on the island.
An inner bay with the ocean a stone's throw away.
The Spanish Water (Spaanse Water in Dutch) is a large, sheltered lagoon on the southeast coast of Curaçao — east of Willemstad. The bay connects to the Caribbean Sea through one narrow passage at Caracas Bay, keeping the inner water almost always flat and calm. That makes it ideal for sailors, paddleboarders and families with kids who want to swim in quiet water.
The name dates back to the Spanish colonial era, when ships anchored here for shelter against storms and attacks. Today the Spanish Water is a watersports mecca, an important ecosystem for mangroves and sea birds, and home base to hundreds of pleasure boats and yachts.
Quick facts
- Location
- Southeast coast Curaçao
- Type
- Natural inner bay
- Size
- About 3 km long
- Sea access
- Narrow passage at Caracas Bay
- Water type
- Brackish, clear, sheltered
- Depth
- 2 to 12 meters
- Climate
- Tropical, trade winds
- Nearest area
- Jan Sofat
Around the Spanish Water you'll find a mix of mangrove nature reserves, luxury villa areas (including Jan Sofat where 3 Palabrua sits), 4 marinas and historic buildings like the 19th-century Quarantine Building. From the water you have views of the Tafelberg, Seru Boca and Kabrietenberg.
A watersports mecca for all levels.
Thanks to the flat water and the constant trade winds, the Spanish Water suits both beginners and experienced sailors. Here's an overview of what you can do.
Sailing
Trade winds blow year-round at Beaufort 3 to 5. The sheltered water is perfect for learning to sail, while experienced sailors can head out through the passage to open sea.
Paddleboarding (SUP)
Glide across calm water on a paddleboard. Between the mangroves there's a great chance to spot sea turtles and pelicans. SUP yoga is also available.
Wakeboarding
No wind or waves? The bay's flat water is ideal for wakeboarding, kneeboarding and waterskiing — suitable for beginners too.
Jet ski
Take a 160 hp jet ski across the Spanish Water toward the open sea. You'll pass the most beautiful villas and the gorgeous coastline.
Boat trips
Snorkel trips, sunset cruises or day trips to Klein Curaçao. Catamarans and speedboats leave the marinas daily.
Kayak & ZUP
Kayak through mangroves or try ZUP-boarding (a mix of bodyboarding and wakeboarding). Both leave from Kima Kalki Marina.
Four marinas within one bay.
The Spanish Water is the most important yacht harbor on Curaçao. International sailors report to the harbor master on arrival. Each of the four marinas has its own atmosphere.
Seru Boca Marina
The largest marina on the Spanish Water. Full sailor facilities: fuel station, restaurant and supermarket. Many international yachts dock here after their Atlantic crossing.
PublicSanta Barbara Marina
Part of the Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort. A quiet marina with a luxury feel, suitable for both yachts and pleasure boats. Direct access to the resort beach.
Resort marinaKima Kalki Marina
A smaller, friendly marina at Brakkeput Ariba. Starting point for many watersport activities: ZUP-boarding, jet ski tours and boat rentals. Address: Brakkeput Ariba #62.
Watersport hubCuraçao Yacht Club
Exclusive members-only club with some of the most beautiful yachts on the island. Non-members can still refuel. Home base for BlueFinn Charters and the center of local sailing life.
Members onlyWhat to see around the bay.
The Spanish Water is more than watersports — it's an important ecosystem surrounded by historic and natural gems.
Nature in and around the bay
- ☮MangrovesLarge mangrove forests on the north side of the bay, nursery for fish and birds.
- PPelicans & frigate birdsMany coastal birds, often diving for fish right next to the villas.
- ♯Sea turtlesRegularly spotted while snorkeling, paddleboarding or sailing.
- ~DolphinsWith some luck they appear near the passage to open sea.
Historic & cultural
- QQuarantine Building19th-century building where arriving sailors were isolated, partly restored.
- LLandhuis Jan SofatOld plantation, now surrounded by the villa neighborhood of the same name.
- BLandhuis BrakkeputFormer manor with views over the bay.
- TTafelberg viewThe characteristic flat-top mountain dominates the eastern view.
Sleep where the boats sail.
Most villas around the Spanish Water sit on the hills — great views, but a few minutes walk to the water. 3 Palabrua doesn't. Our villa stands literally on the waterfront in Jan Sofat, with its own terrace and direct access to the shared jetty and beaches.
Questions about the Spanish Water.
Quick answers to the most common questions about this unique bay on Curaçao.
Where is the Spanish Water?
The Spanish Water is a large inner bay on the southeast coast of Curaçao, about 10 kilometers east of Willemstad. The bay connects to the Caribbean Sea through one narrow passage at Caracas Bay.
How did the Spanish Water get its name?
The name dates back to the Spanish colonial era. The bay was used as an anchorage and refuge for Spanish ships due to its narrow entrance and sheltered water.
Can you swim in the Spanish Water?
Yes, in parts of the bay swimming is perfectly possible. At Aqualife Resort and Santa Barbara Beach the water is clear, flat and child-friendly. At the marinas and in mangrove areas swimming is not advised.
What watersports can you do on the Spanish Water?
Sailing, paddleboarding, kayaking, jet ski, wakeboarding, ZUP-boarding, snorkel trips and boat trips to Klein Curaçao. The flat water and constant trade winds make it suitable for both beginners and experienced watersport enthusiasts.
Where can you rent a boat on the Spanish Water?
Multiple boat rental companies operate from Seru Boca, Kima Kalki Marina and Santa Barbara Marina. Well-known providers include BlueFinn Charters, Red Snapper, El Capitano, Aluma Sailing and Mermaid Boattrips.
How many marinas are on the Spanish Water?
There are 4 marinas: Seru Boca Marina (large and public), Santa Barbara Marina (resort), Kima Kalki Marina (small, watersport-focused) and Curaçao Yacht Club (members only).
Can you stay on the Spanish Water?
Yes. There are multiple villas, apartments and bungalows with direct access to the water. Holiday villa 3 Palabrua in Jan Sofat is literally on the waterfront.
Is the Spanish Water suitable for children?
Definitely. The sheltered, flat water is safer than the open sea. Many families choose the Spanish Water for the quiet and the wildlife (turtles, pelicans) that children can spot.
Wake up next to the most beautiful water on Curaçao.
Stay at 3 Palabrua — a renovated villa right on the Spanish Water. From €129 per night, max 4 guests.
