Exploring Caracasbaai Curaçao
Welcome to the Caracasbaai Curaçao Postcard – Episode 2. In this postcard episode we will explore Caracasbaai Curaçao, a designated nature preserve “that is as steeped in history as its excellent diving and snorkeling!” We hope this will bring a moment of joy and tranquility to your day so you can dream of Curaçao, our beautiful island in the heart of the Dutch Caribbean.
With two incredible scuba diving and snorkeling sites to choose from, Tugboat and Director’s Bay, combined with the historical significance of Caracasbaai, this is a destination in Curaçao that you definitely need to visit!
The famous Curaçao Tugboat wreck is located at “Tugboat Beach” next to Directors Bay in just 5 meters (15ft) of water below the steep facing cliffside leading up to the infamous Quarantine House. Purposely wrecked just a few yards offshore of Tugboat Beach, in Caracasbaai, this site is absolutely perfect for divers as well as snorkelers.
Director’s Bay is an historic Curaçao landmark, located between the famous Tugboat wreck and Small Wall – perfectly suited for divers, snorkelers and beach goers alike.
Brief History of Caracasbaai
As the local story goes, it is said that the late Queen Juliana, who was invited to Director’s Bay, was so afraid of fish that the Royal Dutch Shell Group caged in a section of the bay for her, to increase her enjoyment and ultimately to ease her mind so that she could relax. But you know, that’s just the story.
The fact is that starting in the early 1900’s until departing in 1985, the Directors of the Royal Dutch Shell Group and the Dutch Royal family used this bay exclusively and it was considered private. Now, the beach and surrounding area are open for public use.
The Quarantine House, built in 1882, functioned as one of the parts of the quarantine station at the fortress of Fort Beekenburg. Healthy seamen coming of disease carrying ships were quarantined here for forty days. This lasted until 1925 and nowadays this beautiful house, with a splendid view over the Caribbean Sea, is in severe disrepair.
Fort Beekenburg was built to defend the Spanish Water area of Curaçao in 1703. During that period, it was (at that time) one of the few places where one could easily go from sea to land. The Fort has a proven service history, several times over, of keeping the British and the pirates out of Curacao.
As a defensive installation, it seems ironic that Fort Beekenburg was built with ballast stones from a distinctive and “romantic” part of Belgium called the Walloon Region or Wallonia. Ironic because Fort Beekenburg is distinctive, but romantic? I guess you will just have to visit and decide for yourself.
Visit the Curaçao National Archives for the complete history of Curaçao.
More Virtual Postcards from Curaçao!
Have you enjoyed this Carcasbaai Curaçao Postcard? Then dive into Episode 3 where we explore Cas Abou Beach which is one of the BEST beaches in the Caribbean and a popular Curaçao destination for sun lovers!
Discover all 16 episodes from the complete Postcards from Curacao series and don’t forget to subscribe to our Dive Curaçao YouTube Channel to be automatically notified.
Sincere Love from Curaçao,
Bryan Horne, Dive Curaçao
Tilo and Yvonne Kuhnast, Nature Pics Films
Videos produced and edited for Dive Curacao in cooperation with NaturePicsFilms.
Header photo courtesy of NaturePicsFilms
