Cas Abou Beach

Drive or take a taxi from Willemstad — both routes take around 35 minutes. The beach operates a gated entry system, open daily from 08:00 to 18:00, with an entry fee of NAF 10–12.50 per car (up to four people); each additional person pays NAF 2.50. Parking is an unpaved lot included in the entry fee, but it fills fast on Sunday during high season — arrive early. The path from the lot to the beach edge is paved and relatively flat.

The shallow reef entry makes snorkeling the obvious first move — the calm turquoise lagoon delivers clear visibility right from the shoreline. Just 1.3 km away, Playa Porto Mari offers a rare double reef system that serious snorkelers shouldn't skip, and Playa Largu is equally close for a quieter stretch of sand. If you want to venture further, Christoffel National Park is 18 km away with hiking trails and wildlife, and the limestone Hato Caves — featuring stalactites and ancient indigenous drawings — are worth the 28 km drive.

There's no restaurant directly on Playa Cas Abou, so plan ahead. Porto Marie Beach restaurant is 1.3 km away and the closest option after you leave the gate; Marfa's Good Hangout is 3.9 km out for a more casual stop. Trio Penoti Restaurant and Bar sits at 5.9 km if you want a sit-down meal on the way back toward Willemstad.

Flamingo Park Resort and The Natural are both around 3.5 km from the beach, making either a convenient base for an early-morning arrival before the lot fills. Neither property is on the beach itself, but the short drive means you can be at the gate right at 08:00.

The divi-divi tree line at the northern end of the beach frames the turquoise lagoon beautifully — shoot from beneath the canopy in the soft light of early morning for the cleanest colours and fewest people in frame. Late afternoon, when the low sun hits the white sand at an angle, turns the whole bay golden; position yourself at the water's edge looking back toward the trees for the classic Cas Abou shot.

The gate closes at 18:00 sharp — if your vehicle is still inside, you risk being locked in, so start heading back by 17:30. Some sections of the beach and the shallow reef entry have rocks and coral beneath the surface; water shoes are strongly recommended to protect your feet. Entry fees are mandatory and go directly toward beach maintenance and preservation, so have NAF cash ready. Camping is not permitted, and dogs are not allowed on the beach.