Cliff Villa Peninsula
Cliff Villa Peninsula is a rocky cape on Curaçao’s northwest coast, near Westpunt. Here two sea currents meet, stirring nutrients about 40 feet below the surface. This makes the area a premier drift-diving site in the region. The currents are part of Watamula, a local name that comes from the Dutch word for “water mill.”
The Curaçao government protects the area and prohibits spearfishing and taking shells or coral.
In 2010 Curaçao experienced a coral bleaching event. About 1% of the island’s living corals died, with corals near Westpunt most affected at around 10%.
Cliff Villa is also a traditional fishing spot, targeting both pelagic and bottom-dwelling species. High-value catches in the area include wahoo, mahi-mahi, Yellowfin tuna, Blackfin tuna, queen snapper, and grouper. Carnivorous fish are not very common across the waters around the island, while damselfish and the invasive lionfish are present and can threaten reef life.
The cliff area is a refuge for Melocactus cacti (known locally as Milon di Seru or Bushi). These cacti grow deeply into the lime rock, and pulling them up can break their roots and kill the plant. Melocactus is native to the Caribbean and nearby regions, with about 40 species in total.
Cliff Villa sits in the center of the Watamula nature preserve. North of Cliff Villa, the Watamula area is part of a larger network of parks planned to be connected by ecological corridors. There are nearby cave dive sites for experienced divers.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 19:03 (CET).