S/V Nada: CURACAO

From Klein Curacao we sailed a short distance of 15NM to Spaanse Water on the SW end of Curacao. The large bay is giving a shelter to many boats. A narrow entrance does not allow a good flow, the water in the bay is not clean. Still, many windsurfers enjoy the wind gusts blowing down surrounding hills.

We anchored in a part of Spaanse Water called Caracasbaai, a short distance to the beach on the outer side of the island, windy, but clean water. There were some interesting sides to see also.

Fort Beekenburg with Rok and Alex

We intended to take Anka's family to other bays. Not easy! There were only four bays, including Spaanse Water, we could get a permit to anchor in, one of them. Piscadera, to shallow for our keel, Santa Cruz to far NW, we would have a difficulty sailing back against the wind in one day.
When kids came, we rented a car and toured the island, stopped for s swim in some bays we couldn't sail into. In West Punt we snorkeled among the turtle colony.

Groot Knip Baai

Santa Cruz Baai

Spaanse Water Baai

The island has some attractions, unfortunately overshadowed by trash, years collection of plastic bags and paper caught in the thorny bushes and cacti.

Well organized is the ostrich farm: the tour, restaurant with mostly ostrich dishes and a store, selling arts from Zimbabwe, where the owners of the farm originate from.

War dance
Some island sights:

The house built by the first Dutch settlers, renovated and lived in

Abandoned old house, blooming agava in front

Cacti wrapped in a thorny vine, a common sight on the island

East side of the island is rough, grey limestone fields, where a long line of wind generators were built. Not much is growing there but wind and drought resisting cacti.

Many ages of sea splashing over the unprotected east side of the island

Patches of cacti holding on to the rare soil

After two days of touring the island we sailed to Fuik Baai, a bay on SW end of Curacao.

The bay can only be reached by boats, so it is quiet during the week. On weekends locals sail and motor in to enjoy the clean water.

We returned to Spaanse Water to part with Anka, who had to return to work. With boys we sailed back to Fuik Baai for another three days, the time we got an anchoring permit for. Claiming to protect the environment, the Port Authority is limiting anchoring in bays. Curacao has a problem with drug trafficking from the nearby Venezuela and is controlling it's coast. Each time we sailed into Fuik Baai, were were boarded by the Coast Guards.

The main attraction of Curacao is the Capitol Willemstad. It's centre is divided by St. Annabaai channel, Punda on the east and Otrobanda (The other side) on the west side.