This little-known Caribbean island with beautiful sandy beaches holds a dark past that spans centuries.
Klein Curacao, which measures less than 2 kilometres and is governed by the Netherlands, is a barren and uninhabited Dutch Caribbean island scattered with shipwrecks.
It also carries the haunting legacy of slavery.
Klein Curacao, also known as Little Curacao, is situated just 15 miles southeast of the emerging tourist hotspot, Curacao.
Its troubled past includes its use by the Dutch West India Company to quarantine slaves in the 1600s. Slaves who fell ill on the journey from Africa to their final destination, Curacao, were confined to this smaller island.
Some became so sick they died on the island. A few of these graves can still be seen on the south of Klein Curacao, serving as a constant visual reminder of its grim history.
The island also counts numerous shipwrecks, including a high-end French yacht and the Maria Bianca Guidesman, considered among the most famous wrecks in the area.
The oil tanker ran aground in the 1980s and could not be recovered.
The island’s location makes it susceptible to hurricanes, which have been blamed for destroying the isle’s lighthouse twice.
The island was also left barren after goats introduced in the 17th century devoured its greenery, leaving a stark landscape against the stunning azure sea.
While tourists often make day trips to Little Curacao, they find minimal facilities aside from a few huts and a lighthouse.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has issued a warning, stating: “Criminals continue to use the islands of the Dutch Caribbean to smuggle illegal drugs from South America to Europe and North America.”
“Because of this problem, never leave luggage unattended when departing the country. Do not discuss or agree to carry a package for anyone. You may be asked to have a body scan at some airports. Dutch authorities generally screen all baggage and passengers from the Dutch Caribbean.”
