{"id":9570,"date":"2024-05-31T08:00:11","date_gmt":"2024-05-31T06:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/relaxedcuracao.com\/en\/?p=9570"},"modified":"2024-05-31T15:26:34","modified_gmt":"2024-05-31T13:26:34","slug":"playa-lagun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/relaxedcuracao.com\/en\/beaches\/playa-lagun\/","title":{"rendered":"Playa Lagun"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"The<\/span><\/div>

F<\/span>ive oversized, colourful letters announce it as you approach the bend. L A G U N is emblazoned on a rock face overgrown with thicket and cacti<\/a> on the road from Willemstad to Westpunt. About 50 metres after entering the fishing village, turn left onto the beach of the same name, Playa Lagun. The once sleepy village has now been developed for tourism.<\/p>\n

\"Zoom

The fishing boat under the letters symbolises the origin of the place.<\/p><\/div>\n

We chose Lagun and the Whitehouse<\/a> for our island adventure not least because of its convenient location between all the dream beaches<\/a> in the southwest of the island.<\/p>\n

Shortcut to the west<\/h3>\n

If you are just passing through, you can take the first road to the right in Lagun as a shortcut. You can’t really call this a bypass. It is more of a narrow, bumpy path. The advantage is that you always have right of way in both directions. The rule on Curacao is that through traffic always has the right of way<\/a> at a T-junction if there is no road sign.<\/p>\n

But we want to take you to Playa Lagun, so let’s go!<\/p>\n

\"Drone

Turn left or right and you’re there<\/p><\/div>\n

Sledge Hammer at Lagun<\/h3>\n

Basically, Curacao is more of a macro paradise with snails, seahorses<\/a> and many smaller reef dwellers, but manta rays<\/a> have also been spotted on the beaches and even whales off the coasts of Curacao.<\/p>\n

Playa Lagun is known for turtle encounters, but hammerhead sightings with photos and videos have also gone viral on Curacao forums over the past year. Normally, hammerheads prefer deeper waters and rarely stray into narrow, shallow bays like Playa Lagun. Nevertheless, the sea is their habitat, so an encounter can happen.<\/p>\n

\"View

Very inviting, not only for people<\/p><\/div>\n

But I can reassure you. The hammerheads that visited Playa Lagun were peaceful: one swam leisurely alongside snorkellers deep into the bay.<\/p>\n

According to the scientific director of the Carmabi Marine Research Institute, Mark Verweij, hammerhead sharks are generally very shy. And while the possibility of an attack cannot be completely ruled out, the likelihood is minimal. He describes it as very lucky to even catch a glimpse of a hammerhead in the wild. You can read more about this in a report<\/a> in the Curacao Chronicle<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Drone

Fishing boats on the shore of Playa Lagun<\/p><\/div>\n

Fishermen at Playa Lagun<\/h3>\n

Hotel resorts line both sides of the bay. They are perched on the high cliffs. Down on the beach, however, local fishermen launch their boats into the water and later sell freshly caught fish from brick stalls on the right-hand side of the beach. There are usually a number of fishing boats moored right on the shore. We went there to buy fresh fish for a barbecue<\/a> after having no luck at Playa Grandi<\/a>. Unfortunately, we came back again empty handed.<\/p>\n

\"The

This side of the beach is dedicated to fishermen<\/p><\/div>\n

Sunbathing under the trees<\/h3>\n

It costs $5 to rent a sun lounger on the beach. There are only two palapas<\/a> at Playa Lagun. Of course they are quickly occupied. To protect yourself from the sun, you will probably have to resort to nature<\/a> conditions, such as a spot near the rocks or under trees.<\/p>\n

The shade of a Manzanilla tree<\/a> is not a problem when the sun is shining. It is only when it is raining that you should not stay or seek shelter under one of these trees. This is because all parts of the tree are poisonous and the rain literally washes the toxins away. These can cause chemical burns to the skin. Also, please do not eat the apple-like fruit or walk barefoot on the fallen fruit.<\/p>\n

\"Walk

Shady trees at Lagun Beach<\/p><\/div>\n

Diving & snorkelling at Playa Lagun<\/h3>\n

Bahia Diving is located right on the beach. It’s part of the Bahia Apartments on the cliffs to the right of the beach. We haven’t had any direct contact with them yet. But our partner Bryan has information about this dive site<\/a>\u00a0and a video:<\/p>\n