From world-class diving to Dutch colonial charm, the Caribbean islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao are perfect for crew time off. A stone’s throw from one another and all located outside the hurricane belt, 80 kilometers off the coast of Venezuela lie the three lesser-known and westernmost Caribbean islands: Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. All with past ties to the Netherlands, Aruba and Curaçao are independent, self-governing countries, while Bonaire remains a special municipality of the Netherlands. Each with a distinct personality, a blend of European and Caribbean heritage, and activities on offer, this trio is perfect for some crew Caribbean downtime. Colonial Charm Geographically the largest, Curaçao is full of possibilities for exploring the charming local architecture, particularly its picturesque and UNESCO-protected capital, Willemstad. The waterfront street of Handelskade is home to a selection of candy-colored Dutch buildings — postcard-perfect. These buildings present endless photographic opportunities and an excellent area for wandering. Locals say these buildings were originally white in the 1800s, but were painted various colors with the sun’s reflection. The Floating Market is just north; crew can wander while picking up some tasty fresh produce. If exploring Curaçao on the weekend, keep your eyes peeled for Dushi Wafels, a Willemstad food stand serving the famous Dutch stroopwafels. For more shopping, the former 19th-century Rif Fort has been converted into an open-air shopping mall that includes boutique art, jewelry galleries, and local specialty shops. When it comes to specialties, the Curaçao liqueur distillery is just 10 minutes from the city. Take a tour and taste the original, famous bright-blue liqueur. After a day exploring Willemstad, there are plenty of restaurants to try, such as the modern Caribbean restaurant Kome. The smallest yet most visited island, Aruba, also offers plenty within the charming town of Oranjestad for more colonial wanderings. Explore the oldest building on the island: Fort Zoutman. Every Tuesday, the Fort hosts the Bon Bini Festival, showcasing the Aruban carnival culture. Water-Based Fun Time off in the Caribbean should always include adventures under the water. Bonaire, east of Curaçao, is renowned for its magical underwater world. Middle in size of the three, the entire island is a protected marine park, which has resulted in abundant marine life, vibrant coral reefs, and preserved shipwrecks to explore. The protection from strong currents means that snorkeling and scuba diving here are also suitable for beginners, and the best sites are accessed easily by the shore. The Dive Friends Center has seven dive shop locations spread across the island and is great for guided tours; they are also known for their conservation efforts and running regular clean-up dives. Whether you choose to dive into the most famous wreck, Hilma Hooker, the Angel City Reef, or Karpata, known for excellent visibility, you will not be disappointed. To refuel after a day’s scuba diving, the island’s colorful capital, Kralendijk, has various eateries; La Cantina Brewery is a favorite for crew looking to unwind with craft beer and a Caribbean-style catch of the day. On a Sunday, Boudoir is the place to go for a great brunch. Diving even deeper within the ABCs, the submersible manufacturer U-Boat Worx has its submersible training center in Curaçao. While you will need more than one day off, it is perfect for any aspiring yacht crew with more time who wants to undertake their pilot training course. While Bonaire has the best shoreside diving, Curaçao hosts some of the best dive sites accessed via boat, such as Mushroom Forest and Blue Room, with diverse underwater landscapes and rich marine life. All The Activities These Caribbean islands offer more than just a diverse underwater world. Bonaire has some of the best windsurfing in the Caribbean, especially from November to June when the northeast trade winds blow. Lac Bay is the go-to haunt with the famous windsurf center. After activities, refuel at the Hang Out Beach Bar, where barbecues and live music are regularly on the menu. Aruba also has its fair share of action. Each year, the island hosts the Hi-Winds Caribbean Championship, the longest-running watersports event in the Caribbean, featuring kitesurfing, windsurfing, wing foiling, and mountain biking. Each island offers plenty of hiking opportunities for those craving terra firma on a day off. Bonaire’s Washington Slagbaai National Park, the first national park in the Netherlands Antilles, has a network of trails full of diverse wildlife. Meanwhile, for peaks, head to the Christoffel National Park in Curaçao. The island’s highest peak, Mount Christoffel, takes a few hours to hike and is the perfect morning activity before the afternoon heat hits. In Aruba, the Arikok National Park is where you can explore and walk in nature while finding secluded coves along the way. On the northeastern coast of Aruba, for more adrenaline-hit and off-road adventure, you can also take an ATV tour and explore usually inaccessible parts, including some of the best-hidden beaches. ABCs Of R&R Aruba claims to have more sunshine than anywhere else in the Caribbean, which is perhaps why its official motto is “One Happy Island.” Another reason may be the number of incredible beaches to enjoy. The most iconic, thanks to its widely photographed twisted trees, is Eagle Beach, located on the northwestern edge. Its wide expanse of white powdery sand is ideal for a beach day. De Palm Island is a quick tender ride away; here, you can enjoy an idyllic beach setting with the resident flamingos. It isn’t just white sands in Aruba; visit Blackstone Beach where you will find the rugged volcanic scenery just as picturesque. A beach day in Aruba should not be complete without trying the island’s signature cocktail, Aruba Ariba; the Beach Bar in Oranjestad serves these while enjoying one of the best spots to watch the sunset. For dinner off the boat, Yemanja Woodfired Grill restaurant in Oranjestad has locally caught fish and prime cuts of meat on the menu, all cooked on the wood fire with a Caribbean flair. To let your hair down, Aruba is the top choice for partying, with casinos, clubs, and bars; there are plenty of venues around Oranjestad and further north in Palm Beach. Curaçao and Bonaire also have their fair share of great beaches. Around 40 minutes from Willemstad is Grote Knip Beach, one of the island’s most famous beaches that regularly appears in the world’s top 50 beaches. Situated between rugged cliffs, the calm turquoise waters and minimal development here make it the perfect stretch of sand to enjoy a chilled day with some cliff jumping and snorkeling thrown in. If you want to get some exercise before beach lounging, Bonaire has a paved coastal road perfect for cycling, where you can end at one of the island’s best beaches, Te Amo Beach. Along with powdery white sands shaded by the palms, the Kite City food truck is on hand for refreshments throughout the day. Docking Options While less developed than some of the Caribbean in terms of superyacht facilities, the ABCs still have options for those needing a berth here. In Aruba, the Renaissance Marina in the heart of Oranjestad offers berthing facilities for yachts up to 200 feet. The marina is part of the Renaissance resort and provides plenty of entertainment and shopping amenities for crew. Harbour Village Marina in Aruba has facilities for yachts up to 150 feet and one dock for 240-footers. Here crew can take advantage of the swimming pool and gym. Yachts up to 150 feet can also find berths in the Seru Boca Estate marina in Curaçao or on the waterfront in Willemstad.