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Meridiela.

Jan Thiel Beach

A developed beach on the south coast with clubs, restaurants and a salt pan behind.

Updated 2 September 2026

WhereWillemstad
Nearest cityWillemstad
Best seasonYear round
Time to allowHalf a day
Getting thereEast of Willemstad past Spanish Water; road access and parking
EntryEntry fee to the beach clubs

Jan Thiel is the most developed beach on the island, a managed strip of sand behind a breakwater with several beach clubs on it, restaurants, bars, a dive shop and loungers laid out end to end, aimed at people who want the day arranged for them. The water inside the breakwater is flat and the reef beyond gives shore diving. The salt pans behind the beach hold flamingos and are visible from the access road.

The main sights

  • The beach clubs - several managed operations along the sand.
  • The breakwater - the wall that keeps the swimming water flat.
  • The reef beyond - shore diving outside the protected area.
  • The salt pans - the flamingo ground behind the beach along the access road.

When to go

Year round; it runs from morning into the evening, unlike most beaches. Weekends and cruise days are busiest. Sunset is a fixture here.

Good to know

There is an entry fee at the clubs and loungers cost more again. It is commercial and busy rather than natural. The sand is narrow for the number of people on it.

Nearby

Spanish Water is west, and Curaçao Sea Aquarium is west along the coast.

What to pack for Jan Thiel Beach

Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.

  • Reef-safe sunscreen - High SPF that will not bleach the coral you are swimming over. Find on Amazon
  • Your own mask + snorkel - A well-fitting mask is the single biggest comfort upgrade underwater. Find on Amazon
  • Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
  • Quick-dry towel - A microfibre towel packs small and dries in minutes. Find on Amazon

Some links on this page are Amazon affiliate links - if you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

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Plan your trip

Where to start if Jan Thiel Beach is going on the list.

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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.

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