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Photography tips

Updated: Sep 23




Best light, simple settings, and must-visit photo spots

Why Curaçao is a photographer’s dream


Curaçao is more than turquoise water and white sandy beaches. It’s the mix of Caribbean light, colorful colonial houses, rugged coastlines, and vibrant street life that makes the island a paradise for your lens. But the tropical sun and constant wind also bring challenges. Here are practical photography tips on light, settings, and the best places to capture Curaçao.


Light: morning vs. afternoon

  • Morning light (sunrise) – soft, calm, and perfect for beaches and landscapes. Try Playa Grandi or Jan Thiel Beach with fishing boats and pastel skies.

  • Afternoon sun – bright and harsh but great for silhouettes and vibrant street scenes in Willemstad.

  • Golden hour – just before sunset, the island glows with warm colors. Perfect at the Handelskade or Cas Abao Beach.

  • Blue hour – right after sunset: deep blue skies and city lights, magical at the Pontoon Bridge or Fort Nassau.


Tip: Plan your day around the light. Use midday for scouting or relaxing, and bring your camera back out for golden hour.


Wind & weather

  • Trade winds blow almost constantly from the east. They cool you down but can move hair, palm trees, or even your tripod.

  • For calm sea photos, visit bays and coves. For dramatic waves, go to the north coast (Shete Boka National Park).

  • Always bring a lens cloth – salt spray is everywhere.

Easy camera settings

No need to get overly technical:

  • Landscapes & sea – f/8–f/11 for sharpness, ISO 100–200. Use a tripod for long exposures of waves.

  • Architecture – f/8, ISO 100–200, focus on symmetry and colorful facades.

  • Portraits/details – f/2.8–f/5.6 for a soft background.

  • Silhouettes (sunset) – expose for the sky, not the subject.


Must-visit photography spots on Curaçao

1. Willemstad – Handelskade & Otrobanda

  • Famous pastel-colored houses by the harbor.

  • The floating Pontoon Bridge – especially beautiful at golden hour.

  • Otrobanda’s vibrant street art murals.


2. Christoffel National Park

  • Cactus fields, panoramic viewpoints, and wildlife.

  • Early morning hikes give the best light and fewer crowds.


3. Shete Boka (North Coast)

  • Dramatic cliffs, blowholes, and crashing waves.

  • Best on windy days for powerful seascapes.


4. Small beaches

  • Fishing boats, nets, sometimes

     sea turtles close to shore.

  • Morning or late afternoon is ideal for calmer light.


5. Klein Curaçao

  • A must-do day trip: a deserted island with a lighthouse and shipwrecks.

  • Contrast of white sand, turquoise water, and the red lighthouse is unbeatable.


6. Colonial Landhouses

  • Landhuis Chobolobo or Landhuis Bloemhof – pastel architecture with history.

  • Use f/8 for full sharpness of doors, windows, and details.


7. Flamingos at Sint Willibrordus (Jan Kok)

  • Best early morning or late afternoon when the light is soft.

  • A zoom lens lets you capture them without disturbing.


Quick Curaçao photography checklist

  • Best times: sunrise and golden hour.

  • Gear: tripod, polarizer, lens cloth.

  • Wind: use a stable stance or tripod.

  • Health: sunscreen, hat, water.

  • Respect locals: always ask before taking close portraits.




Conclusion

Photographing Curaçao is all about light, timing, and location. Morning light gives peace and soft colors, the midday sun offers strong contrasts, and golden hour brings magic to both nature and architecture.

 
 
 

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