| l the Caribbean’s many destinations, Curacao | | | | June and July. In addition to activities like those offered |
| may have the most to offer children and their families. | | | | at the Dolphin Academy, the Kids Sea Camp has a |
| From the family-friendly resorts to the island’s | | | | number of detailed training sessions designed for your |
| small-town ambience, Curacao is an ideal destination | | | | young ones. Activities include Supplied Air Snorkeling |
| for a Caribbean family vacation. To get the most out | | | | for Youth (SASY) training, Professional Association of |
| of your trip, consider including some the activities | | | | Diving Instruction (PADI) training and open-water dive |
| outlined here in your Curacao vacation package. | | | | training for children. |
| Perhaps the most unique of Curacao’s family | | | | Being in the Caribbean, your family will want to spend |
| attractions is the Curacao Seaquarium. Constructed in | | | | time at the beach, relaxing in the sand and playing in |
| 1984, this oceanfront complex is renowned for its | | | | the water. Curacao has several beaches suitable for |
| open-water system that continuously pumps fresh | | | | the whole family, many with facilities designed |
| seawater into the holding tanks. For younger children, | | | | specifically for children. The following beaches are |
| the touch tanks and feeding shows offer great | | | | great places for your family to explore. |
| opportunities to interact with sea creatures. The | | | | First up is Little Knip Beach, the choice of Curacaoan |
| Seaquarium also allows visitors to snorkel and dive | | | | families. This beautiful little beach offers a calm place |
| with sea turtles, tropical fish and other distinctive | | | | to swim and have a barbeque. If your children want to |
| animals. When you’re done in the water, head | | | | play in the open water, Kontiki Beach is probably the |
| over to the on-site museum and theatre for additional | | | | safest option. Besides offering a number of shops, |
| learning possibilities. The beach outside the Seaquarium | | | | restaurants and watersport activities, the surf at |
| is also great place for children, highlighted by kid-friendly | | | | Kontiki is tamed by a wave breaking system. Jan Thiel |
| water sports and charming restaurants. | | | | Beach offers excellent diving and snorkeling in the |
| For a more personal interaction with | | | | open bay while children can enjoy the enclosed |
| everyone’s favorite sea creature, the Dolphin | | | | wading area. Though one of Curacao’s busier |
| Academy Curaçao offers visitors of all ages an | | | | beaches, Cas Abao Beach is one of the best |
| opportunity to swim, snorkel or dive with these | | | | locations for families to lay in plush white sand and |
| extraordinary animals in a variety of programs. The | | | | soak up the sun. On the quieter side, Port Marie is |
| all-ages Dolphin Encounter lets children stand on a | | | | lovely beach with nice facilities for novice divers and |
| platform in the holding tank amongst the dolphins. After | | | | snorkelers. |
| trainers teach you the basics, the dolphin will come by | | | | When your family has had its share of fun in the |
| for a hug. The Dolphin Swim allows participants to take | | | | water, consider taking a tour of the island on |
| rides on the dolphins’ dorsal fins. Then, the | | | | horseback or visiting the ostrich farm. Horseback tours |
| swimmers can give signals to the dolphins to sing, spin | | | | are easy to arrange, whether you choose to make it |
| or wave. For older children and adults, the Dolphin | | | | part of your vacation package or set up a tour while |
| Snorkel and Dolphin Open Water Dive programs allow | | | | on the island. With over 600 birds, the Curacao Ostrich |
| you to swim side-by-side with the dolphins in one of | | | | Farm is one of the largest ostrich farms outside of |
| Curacao’s finest coral reefs. For families looking | | | | Africa. Children can interact with day-old chicks and |
| to completely immerse themselves in the world of | | | | guided tours are available to shed some light on the |
| dolphins, the Academy offers two courses, one for | | | | lives of these peculiar birds. When it is time to leave, |
| children and one for adults, which impart all the basics | | | | you can even take an ostrich egg as a souvenir. |
| of dolphin training during 2 and 3-day sessions. | | | | There is always a great Caribbean family vacation |
| Another great activity for a Caribbean family vacation | | | | waiting for you in Curacao. |
| is the Kids Sea Camp, an education center open during | | | | |