Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to the island

Arrive on the beautiful island of Curacao , where a welcome reception, orientation, and dinner await you. TNC Executive Director, Jennifer Kleinbaum and our local guides will be on hand to answer questions, help you get settled, and introduce you to the other participants. Enjoy your first night at the Lions Dive Hotel while you watch the sunset from the beach-side deck.

Day 2: Aquarium adventures

Then journey to the Sea Aquarium where you will be introduced to coral reef fish on land so you'll know who's who when you meet them up close in the water. Your first snorkel or dive, will be in a protected seawater lagoon, surrounded by beautiful rays, puffer fish, blue tangs, red snapper, and giant grouper. Not ready to get wet? Watch the show from the windows of the underwater submarine.

Day 3: Try to Train a Sea Lion

How many fish does it take to get a 500 lb. animal to balance a ball? A professional trainer will teach you about the behavior of sea lions and give you the chance to touch and swim with these animals. This is not just a photo op for a kiss (although we get that too) this is a once in a lifetime close encounter.

In the afternoon, board the Ocean Encounters boat to a special coral reef great for divers and snorkelers alike. See live coral, parrot fish, trumpet fish, anemones, sea stars, sponges, and more! If you look carefully you may even spot a seahorse. PADI certified dive masters will leading a snorkeling group and a SCUBA diving group, so that everyone can explore the reef in a way that is comfortable for them.

Day 4: Immersion learning- Jump In and Get Wet!

Discover the essentials of surviving on the reef as a coral creature with hands-on learning and games at the Sea Aquarium.. Coral animals, fish, and mammals have a variety of adaptations and behaviors to find prey and prevent them from being eaten! After lunch, use your new knowledge to dive or snorkel and find them in the wild! We will take an Ocean Encounters boat to the Tugboat Shipwreck and explore.

Day 5: feed baby ostriches or Hike the Highest Peak

Dry off for a day and take a safari tour of the Curaçao Ostrich Farm, one of the biggest breeding farms outside Africa. Local guides will drive through the farmland and let you even hand feed these huge birds! The safari tour comes to an end at the nursery, where it all begins, and where you get to see and hold  an ostrich chick. Fun for the whole family.

If the group would rather take a more extreme adventure, we will travel to the foot of Christoffel Mountain , take a jeep ride to the trailhead and hike to the summit of a rocky 1,000 foot peak, past lizards and cacti. At the top, a panoramic view of the island and surrounding Caribbean Sea will take your breath away.

Day 6: Swim with Dolphins!

Relax and take the morning off. Sleep in. Or snorkel or dive on the house reef, no boat required—the reef is just steps from the shore. Of course, you can also choose celebrate your week’s adventures by enjoying the tranquil beach. After lunch, drum roll please…swim with, touch, and ride dolphins! At the Dolphin Academy, you will learn the techniques that trainers use to get these lovable marine mammals to jump, splash, and circle around you. Enjoy the unique experience of real interaction while swimming with dolphins!

Day 7: Explore the Capital

Recognized by UNESCO as one of six Caribbean World Heritage city sites, the capital of Curacao is a cultural gem. Together we'll tour the Museum Kurá Hulanda, with the largest African collection in the Caribbean. This world-class anthropological museum focuses on the predominant cultures of Curacao. Continue exploring and visit fort Amsterdam (1635). Grab a piece of fruit at the  floating market. Walk to Otrabanda (the other side of the canal) across the Queen Emma bridge or take the short ferry. You may also explore the history of the oldest Jewish community in the Western Hemisphere at Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue. Don’t forget to pick up a few souvenirs for home.

Day 8: Last day in paradise

Depending on your flight schedule, you might want to go for a last tour of the Sea Aquarium, take a quick dip in the pool, or snorkel in the lagoon. Jennifer will arrange for your airport taxi to take you to the plane. Then, we'll say our reluctant goodbyes; you won't want to leave!