If you want to round off your trip to Caracas Bay in the east of Curacao, also known as Banda Ariba (west = Banda Abou), a sunset at Directeurs Baai is a great option. Watch the sun melt into the sea, unless clouds steal the show.

Here the sun hits the water on the horizon

Prime seating at the car park

Who’d have thought it? The cliffside car park gives you a front-row seat to the stunning beach views – for free! Yes, both the view and the parking are free.

The small beach is accessed by a flight of steps, similar to Playa Jeremi. Due to the elevated car park, you won’t have a direct line of sight to your car from the beach. Although it’s a fantastic spot, it’s wise not to be the only visitor. Having one or two other cars parked nearby adds an extra layer of security. While most of Curacao’s beaches have lifeguards, Directeurs Baai is an exception – so you’re on your own here.

A wooden sign on the tree shows the way

Natural Beauty of Directeurs Baai

Unlike Porto Mari or Cas Abao, Directors Bay is free to enter. This unmaintained beach has two shady palapas. Although it’s a little rockier and more coral-strewn than the other beaches, it is still a real gem.

Others discovered this hidden gem decades ago:

VIP Bay

From 1900 this beach was a private retreat for Shell oil executives, hence the name Directors Bay. Even the Dutch royal family enjoyed this secluded spot when visiting Curacao. When Shell left the island in 1985, the beach became property of the island. Since then the beach has been open to the public.

Shadows of the past

Royal anecdote

Bryan knows a bit more about the story of Queen Juliana and the beach. Interestingly, the highest bridge in the Caribbean, which connects the Otrobanda and Punda districts of Willemstad, is named after her.

It is said that Queen Juliana was quite scared of sharks, so the Royal Dutch Shell Group closed off part of the bay for her. This made her feel more comfortable and she was able to relax on Directors Beach.

The metal construction protrudes above the surface of the water

The shark fence appears to be an old metal breakwater system that has fallen into disrepair. Parts of it can still be found off the coast today, covered in sponges and coral.

Crystal clear waters and a great snorkelling spot

You can visit the Tugboat shipwreck from Directeurs Baai, but it’s a 200-metre swim to the right. Some fitness is required here, so it may be easier to go straight to Tugboat Beach, where the swim from the shore is only about 50 metres.

View towards the tugboat wreck

Both Tugboat and Directors Bay are part of the Curacao Marine Park, which extends to the eastern tip of the island. Bryan goes into more detail in his article on Dive Travel Curacao.

Dive into the underwater world

Want an underwater video? Here it is:

Coral restoration site

Directeurs Baai was selected by Reef Renewal Curacao (RRC) for coral restoration due to its sheltered bay and nutrient-rich south-easterly currents.

Drone image of the director’s bay

RRC’s mission includes:

• Restoration of the shallow water reef system
• Education of the population (especially young people)
• Protecting and preserving Curacao’s natural ecosystem

To date, RRC has replanted over 7,000 corals with the help of many volunteers at various dive sites along the south coast. Please respect their work by not touching the corals when snorkeling or diving. Thank you very much!

Conclusion

Directeurs Baai is a hidden gem, rarely visited by cruise tourists. If you’re looking for a romantic hideaway on the east side of the island to enjoy a quiet sunset, the bay is the perfect destination.

Coral beach in the evening