Caribbean Colors and Coastal Wonders: Our New Year’s Adventure in Curaçao

As the dust settles on our 2024 travels, we’ve just returned from an unforgettable family journey to the Dutch Caribbean. From the neon-blue waters of the Antilles to the vibrant streets of Willemstad, our New Year’s trip to Curaçao was the perfect blend of high-adventure and island relaxation.

Getting There: The Journey South

Our trip kicked off on December 29th with a smooth flight out of RDU. After a quick overnight stay in Miami, we touched down in Curaçao on the 30th, ready to swap the winter chill for the 80-degree warmth of the island. We checked into The Rif at Mangrove Beach, part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, which served as our home base for the week. The resort offered some of the best views of the island, overlooking the lush mangroves and the sparkling Caribbean Sea.

A Milestone Under the Waves

The absolute highlight of the trip was a major achievement for the Swain boys. Henry and I spent a good portion of our time in the water completing our PADI Open Water Scuba Certification. There is something incredible about sharing that first “real” dive with your son—descending into the silent, vibrant world of the coral reefs and seeing the island’s famous marine life up close. It’s a skill we’ll carry with us on all our future scouting and high-adventure trips.

Island Fun and Festive Nights

Not only were we diving, but the boys also made full use of the resort’s massive water slide park. It was the perfect way to burn off energy between beach sessions. For the adults, the hotel’s cocktail bar became a favorite evening haunt, serving up excellent local spirits with a view of the sunset.

Ringing in 2025: A Beachfront Celebration.

We’ve celebrated New Year’s Eve in a lot of places, but Curaçao takes the cake for sheer spectacle. We spent the evening right on the sand, ringing in 2025 with a massive beachfront party. The fireworks were relentless—huge, colorful displays that lit up the entire coastline and kept going off way into the night. It was a high-energy, beautiful way to welcome a new year as a family.

Headed Home

We wrapped up our stay on January 4th, flying back through Charlotte and landing at RDU late that night. It was a whirlwind week of milestones and memories, leaving us fully recharged for the year ahead.

Whether it was the pride of the scuba certification or the chaos of the midnight fireworks, Curaçao delivered an incredible start to 2025.