Klein Curaçao Live Cam

History

The earliest recorded mention of Klein Curaçao dates back to 1499, when Spanish explorers charted the uninhabited island off the southeastern coast of Curaçao. Known initially as “Isla Casiguaya,” the barren atoll was prized more for its offshore currents teeming with sea turtles than for any fresh water or arable land. In the 17th century, Dutch settlers attempted small-scale ventures—collecting seabird guano to fertilize plantations on the main island and hunting giant tortoises whose meat and shells were valuable trade commodities. Although the lack of a reliable freshwater source and the searing equatorial sun forced most agricultural plans to fail, those early expeditions established Klein Curaçao’s reputation as an isolated “desert island” within the Dutch Caribbean.