One Day in Curaçao from a Cruise: Willemstad & Tugboat Diving
Curaçao was the final port on our 2022 Southern Caribbean cruise aboard Carnival Horizon. With the ship scheduled in port from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., we divided the day into two very different experiences: a morning walk through Willemstad and an afternoon private boat charter for diving, snorkeling and sightseeing.
That combination worked especially well in Curaçao. Willemstad is close enough to the cruise port to explore on foot, while a boat made it possible to see the island's coastline and fit a dive into the same port day.
This was not our first visit to Curaçao. Our earlier First Time Trip to Curaçao covers more of the island, including where we stayed, its beaches and a trip to Klein Curaçao. This article focuses specifically on what we were able to do during a single Carnival Horizon port call.
Trip note: This article describes our June 2022 experience. Operators, prices, schedules and cruise-port requirements can change, so verify current details before booking.
A morning walk through Willemstad
We began by walking from the cruise area into central Willemstad. The city is one of the most visually distinctive ports in the Caribbean, with rows of colorful Dutch-inspired buildings lining the waterfront.
The floating Queen Emma Bridge connects the Otrobanda and Punda sides of the city. From the bridge and nearby waterfront, we had classic views of Handelskade's bright façades reflected in the harbor. The surrounding streets were easy to explore at a relaxed pace before our afternoon plans.
For cruise passengers who do not want to book an excursion, Willemstad alone can fill several hours. It offers architecture, shops, restaurants and waterfront views without requiring a long transfer from the ship.
Our private Curaçao boat charter
For the afternoon, we shared a private charter with another couple through Ocean Encounters Diving. The boat was named Galaxy, and our divemaster was Remy. Two of us planned to dive while the other two could snorkel, making a private boat a practical way for everyone to spend the afternoon together.
The smaller group also allowed the day to feel flexible and personal. We could enjoy the scenery between activities without the pace of a large cruise excursion, while still coordinating the return around Carnival Horizon's departure time.
Diving the Tugboat wreck
We made one dive at Curaçao's well-known Tugboat site. The wreck is small and lies in relatively shallow water, but it has become a habitat for coral and fish and makes an interesting focal point for a dive.
Because the site also works for snorkeling, it suited our mixed group. The divers could see the wreck below the surface while the snorkelers stayed involved in the same outing rather than spending the afternoon on a completely separate excursion.
We had originally discussed more than one dive, but ultimately completed only the Tugboat dive. That left time for the rest of the boat trip and kept the afternoon comfortable rather than rushed.
Cruising through Spanish Water
After the dive, the charter continued through Spanish Water, a sheltered lagoon bordered by hills, homes, marinas and mangrove-lined shore. From the boat we could see a side of Curaçao that is difficult to appreciate from the cruise port alone.
Snacks and drinks were included on our charter, and the sightseeing portion made the outing feel like more than simply transportation to a dive site. It was a relaxed finish to our final port day before returning to the ship.
Watch our Curaçao cruise-day video
This video brings together our walk through Willemstad, the boat charter, the Tugboat dive and the scenery around Spanish Water.
Was a private charter worth it?
Sharing the cost with another couple made the private format more practical for us, and it solved an important planning challenge: some members of the group wanted to scuba dive while others preferred to snorkel. A private boat allowed both activities to happen during the same excursion.
It also gave us a balanced day. We did not have to choose between Willemstad and the water; we had time for both. For a group with mixed interests, that flexibility can be more valuable than trying to maximize the number of dives or sightseeing stops.
Tips for planning a Curaçao cruise day
Explore Willemstad early, when the streets are cooler and you have plenty of time before an afternoon booking.
Tell the operator that you are arriving by cruise ship and confirm the required return time in writing.
If your group includes divers and snorkelers, ask whether everyone can comfortably participate on the same boat.
Confirm the number of dives rather than assuming a private charter includes a specific schedule.
Build in a safety margin before the ship's all-aboard time.
Treat the operator and itinerary in this article as our 2022 experience; verify current offerings directly.
Continue the Southern Caribbean journey
This was the final island stop on our Carnival Horizon Southern Caribbean cruise, following Aruba and Bonaire.
Looking for photos from Curaçao?
The photographs in this article represent only a small selection from my collection. Additional high-resolution images from Curaçao may be available for editorial and commercial licensing.
