WILLEMSTAD — Curaçao has been named Caribbean Dive Destination of the Year at the Caribbean Travel Awards 2026, a prestigious regional honor that not only celebrates the island’s exceptional underwater experiences, but also underscores the vital role dive tourism plays in Curaçao’s economy.
The Caribbean Travel Awards, launched in 2014 by Caribbean Journal, are now in their 12th annual edition and are widely regarded as the most meaningful measure of excellence in Caribbean travel. The awards are nominated and selected by the editors of Caribbean Journal, the world’s leading Caribbean travel experts, and in 2026 span 41 categories recognizing destinations, experiences, and people shaping the future of tourism in the region.
A Strong Caribbean, A Strong Curaçao
When final figures are confirmed, more than 35 million travelers are expected to have visited the Caribbean as overnight guests in 2025, approximately 4 percent more than the previous year and 3 percent more than in 2019, along with an additional 38 million cruise visitors. This continued growth highlights the Caribbean’s global appeal — and Curaçao’s rising prominence within it.
“The Caribbean Travel Awards have emerged as the region’s most meaningful measure of travel distinction, celebrating the destinations and experiences that shape the future of Caribbean travel,” said Alexander Britell, Editor and Publisher of Caribbean Journal.
Curaçao’s recognition as Caribbean Dive Destination of the Year reflects both the quality of its diving and the strength of its tourism ecosystem.
Dive Tourism: An Economic Lifeline for Curaçao
Curaçao’s dive industry is a cornerstone of the island’s tourism economy, supporting dive shops, instructors, boat operators, equipment suppliers, accommodations, restaurants, transportation providers, and countless small businesses. For many communities, dive tourism is not just an attraction — it is an economic lifeline.
With over 70 world-class dive sites, easy-access shore diving, and calm year-round conditions, Curaçao attracts divers from around the world who stay longer, spend locally, and return often. These visitors directly support jobs and indirectly strengthen the broader economy, from hospitality and retail to food services and cultural attractions.
“Despite Curaçao’s surging popularity, its dive offering continues to fly a bit under the radar,” Britell noted. “The reality is that this Dutch Caribbean Island has some of the best diving in the whole region, with dozens of sites and excellent dive hotels such as LionsDive Beach Resort and Scuba Lodge & Ocean Suites.”
Protecting What Sustains Us
Central to Curaçao’s success is its leadership in sustainable dive tourism. The island is setting a regional benchmark through initiatives such as Reef Renewal Curaçao, Green Fins, and the PADI AWARE Foundation, working hand in hand with responsible local dive operators including Ocean Encounters at LionsDive and Dive Center Pietermaai at Scuba Lodge.
These efforts ensure that Curaçao’s reefs — the foundation of the dive tourism economy — are actively protected and restored. Safeguarding marine ecosystems helps guarantee that divers will continue to choose Curaçao, sustaining employment, strengthening local businesses, and preserving the island’s natural heritage for future generations.
A Shared Achievement and a Call to Action
This international recognition is a shared achievement for Curaçao’s dive professionals, tourism partners, conservation organizations, and local communities who understand that protecting the reefs protects livelihoods.
As Caribbean Dive Destination of the Year, Curaçao invites the world to dive in and experience one of the best overall dive vacation destinations in the Caribbean — where extraordinary underwater adventures go hand in hand with sustainability, economic resilience, and community pride.
Curaçao’s reefs are more than beautiful — they are the heartbeat of an industry, and the future of dive tourism on the island.
