While the parks are open to the public, CARMABI manages several iconic sites with specific guided opportunities: Research institute Willemstad, Curaçao
Ask for the "Twilight Exclusive." That allows you to stay on the research pier after sunset to watch the coral spawning (seasonal) or the nocturnal bioluminescence.
A standard Christoffel entrance fee is around $20. A Carmabi Foundation Exclusive package (which includes the Night Safari, Reef Restoration, and Caves Extension over 2 days) starts at approximately $350 per person.
Carmabi’s impact stretches far beyond the shoreline. The foundation is the official custodian of Curaçao’s most iconic terrestrial landscapes, ensuring that the island’s unique flora and fauna are preserved for generations to come. Christoffel National Park carmabi foundation exclusive
CARMABI’s commitment to education adds yet another layer of exclusivity to the foundation’s offerings. In 2024, over 11,000 schoolchildren participated in CARMABI’s nature education programs, with the foundation engaging thousands of students, teachers, and families through hands-on learning experiences in national parks, marine environments, and classrooms. These programs range from school excursions and nature-based lessons to teacher training and the development of multilingual educational materials.
That is why the "Exclusive" program exists. It is their way of letting the public into the research zone without compromising the science.
Adjoining Christoffel, this coastal park protects critical nesting sites for three species of sea turtles: the Hawksbill, Loggerhead, and Green turtle. Carmabi researchers monitor these pocket beaches exclusively during nesting season, ensuring human interference is kept to a minimum. The Curacao Marine Park While the parks are open to the public,
The park’s exclusivity is reflected in its numbers. In 2023, the park welcomed 17,766 visitors—a 21 percent increase from the previous year, yet still a fraction of the island’s total tourist traffic. Among these, 5,291 were locals, meaning that international visitors who discover the park are joining a relatively small and discerning group. The park has also become a hub for conservation innovation, partnering with the Ryan de Jongh Foundation for mangrove restoration and participating in ranger exchange programs with Bonaire’s Mangrove Maniacs. For those seeking an exclusive nature experience that combines education, adventure, and genuine conservation impact, the Curaçao Rif Mangrove Park delivers.
Preserving Paradise: An Inside Look at the Carmabi Foundation’s Exclusive Conservation Efforts
This model has attracted innovative partnerships. By June, a provider of small-scale holidays and part of Corendon, donates one euro to CARMABI for every passenger it brings to Curaçao. The Curaçao Tourist Board has partnered with WOW! The Nature Film, announcing the collaboration at the CARMABI Research Station to showcase the Dutch Caribbean islands through world-class cinematography, with educational programs and a database designed to raise awareness about the fragility and richness of these environments. These partnerships reflect a growing recognition that CARMABI is not merely a destination but a custodian of Curaçao’s natural heritage. Carmabi’s impact stretches far beyond the shoreline
The (Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity) is the leading scientific and conservation organization in Curaçao. Established in 1955, it has evolved from a small marine biology institute into a multi-pillar foundation responsible for the island's most critical natural assets. The Four Core Pillars
The CARMABI Foundation is not just a scientific body; it is the official manager of many of Curaçao's protected areas. This responsibility allows them to bridge the gap between science and policy.
Everyone sees the Hato Caves. It is a bus tour stop. You see the stalactites, the stalagmites, and the reflecting pool. The allows you to crawl through the "Bat Passage"—a narrow, unlit corridor that leads to the third chamber, which is sealed off to preserve the fragile soda straw formations.
The work being done at the Carmabi research station is not just saving Curaçao; it is providing vital answers for the entire planet. The foundation hosts dozens of international visiting scientists annually, turning the small island into a global laboratory for climate change resilience. The breakthroughs discovered in these labs are shared globally, helping marine biologists from the Great Barrier Reef to the Florida Keys optimize their conservation strategies.
With a Carmabi geologist, you turn off your headlamps for three minutes of absolute darkness. You listen to the echolocation of the Long-nosed bats overhead. This is a sensory deprivation experience that resets your understanding of the island's geological age.