Visit Curaçao – Animals from Land to Sea

Not only for its long sandy beaches, turquoise waters, and great restaurants is Curaçao known. Also numerous animals call the island their home. These include birds such as flamingos, hummingbirds, parrots, and troupials. Iguanas, sea turtles, dolphins, and numerous fish species can also be discovered around Curaçao.

Thanks to the crystal-clear sea surrounding the island, you can observe numerous fish and turtles in their natural habitat. Equipped with swim fins*, diving masks*, and snorkels*, you can watch the vibrant underwater life near the shores.

In the waters around the island, you will have the opportunity to see various types of sea turtles. These include the green sea turtle, the hawksbill turtle, and the leatherback turtle.

All three are considered endangered because they are sometimes traded as illegal wildlife. Therefore, do not touch the sea turtles, do not feed them, and do not swim too close to them. Instead, simply enjoy the underwater spectacle and admire the adorable creatures – from a respectful distance.

An excursion to Playa Grandi is highly recommended, where you are almost guaranteed to see sea turtles. If you prefer snorkeling with trained guides, then a snorkeling tour may be advisable for you.

Many guided tours also take you directly to Playa Grandi where you will have the chance to explore the underwater world. Some tours will also visit Sabana Westpunt. On the return trip, a short stop at the Flamingo Sanctuary Sint Willibrordus is made, where you can observe the majestic birds.

During diving and snorkeling trips in the waters around Curaçao, you can observe various fish species. Typical inhabitants of the Caribbean Sea include angelfish, clownfish, and parrotfish. Besides these fish species, there are also a variety of other fascinating creatures in the water worth observing. These include adorable seahorses, small crabs, pretty shells, and colorful corals.

Dolphins are rarely seen from the shore – though it’s not impossible. With some luck, dolphins have been observed from the coastal restaurants in Pietermaai.

On a boat tour, such as to Klein Curaçao, you are more likely to observe these animals. Due to the sometimes greater distance, we recommend taking binoculars*. Dolphins are highly intelligent and exhibit complex social behaviors. Moreover, they live in groups and can glide through the water at speeds of up to 80 km/h.

It’s certainly more delightful to observe the animals in the wild. However, we would like to mention that for all dolphin enthusiasts, there is also the opportunity to see the animals at the Curaçao Sea Aquarium and even swim with them.

With some luck, you can also see the dolphins from the Jan Thiel Beach. On some days, the staff of the aquarium make a promotional tour there and perform a few tricks with the dolphins.

Curaçao is home to numerous bird species. From exotic tropical birds to native feathered animals, the island is an absolute paradise for bird lovers. With its diverse habitats and large biodiversity, this Caribbean island is the perfect place to observe these beautiful animals in the wild.

The majestic flamingos call the salt lakes of Curaçao their home. These fascinating creatures gather in large groups, allowing you to observe several animals up close and from a distance. Flamingos can live up to 30 years and are known for their striking pink plumage. Their diet mainly consists of crustaceans, larvae, algae, and worms, which contain the pigment that gives the plumage its characteristic color.

The St. Thomas parakeets, also known as brown-cheeked parakeets, are a species of parrot with a green-yellow plumage that now also lives on Curaçao. Originally, they come from the northern countries of South America. Since the animals are quite shy, you might not easily observe them, but you will certainly not miss hearing them.

You will frequently encounter Baltimore orioles on the Caribbean island. The females possess a black-yellow plumage and belong to the starling family. The males, however, have a completely black plumage. As adults, these birds reach a size of about 18 to 20 centimeters.

Curaçao harbors a variety of animal species worth discovering. Below, we will introduce you to some land dwellers you can observe on the island.

The Green Iguana is particularly common on Curaçao. This climber primarily lives in trees but is also an excellent swimmer. Therefore, this animal is often found near water bodies. You can frequently find the Green Iguana in sunny spots around hotels and restaurants.

While the sun shines over Curaçao during the day and the Caribbean island enchants with breathtaking landscapes and seascapes, a completely different world awakens after dark.

The Curaçao Flower Bat belongs to the leaf-nosed bat family. This bat species is also known as the southern long-nosed flower bat or the lesser long-nosed flower bat. The Curaçao Flower Bat can be found, for example, in the Hato Caves in the north of the island. If you would like to get a closer look at the animals, we recommend visiting the stalactite caves.

Whether in the water or on land, by day or by night, on Curaçao you will find a wide variety of animal species that will make animal lovers’ hearts beat faster. You can marvel at a wide variety of turtles and fish while snorkeling, find numerous iguanas on the island and discover flamingos in various places.

The diversity of wildlife on Curaçao makes the island a true paradise for nature lovers. Let yourself be enchanted by the fascinating wildlife and breathtaking beauty of this island and experience an unforgettable vacation.