Wander Women Curaçao:
A PADI Club Dive + Yoga Retreat

Curaçao, Caribbean
November 11-15, 2026

Join us for a four-night tropical escape to the colorful island of Curaçao. This November, Wander Women Retreats and PADI Club are uniting for a second exclusive journey to the Dutch Caribbean’s underwater paradise. Prepare to center your mind on the mat, explore the world’s most colorful reefs below the surface, and give back in hands-on, heart-led ways that let you protect what you love to explore.

We’re back partnering with PADI Club for our second members-exclusive trip to dive the sea and salute the sun across this vibrant tropical isle. We’re dubbing this retreat a “Celebration of Conservation,” or a “Blue Planet Party,” if you will, moving beyond the typical dive trip to offer connection opportunities with Mother Earth that quite literally gets your hands salty. You’ll step into the role of ocean guardian by participating in a local coral restoration project, earning your PADI AWARE Coral Reef Conservation certification, and planting mangroves to protect Curaçao’s coastlines. You’ll even leave with a unique, handmade piece of jewelry crafted from an invasive species — a beautiful, tangible reminder of your contribution to the island’s delicate ecosystem.

Escape the dwindling sunlight hours back home and immerse yourself in a thoughtfully curated itinerary that honors Curaçao’s wild magic and your own. Between exploring world-class reefs and leveling up your environmental expertise, you’ll have plenty of “mermaid time” to luxuriate at our resort — think bi-level infinity pool with a swim up bar overlooking the sea — and connect with a community of curious, like-minded women. Whether you’re here to sharpen your dive skills or simply to reconnect with nature (and yourself!), this retreat is an invitation to learn, act, and thrive in one of the most magnificent corners of the Caribbean.

What’s more, we’ll again be staying at a chic and modern all-inclusive, which means we’ve never had retreats with more included (yes mermaids, cocktails too!) — so you can let your hair down and let us take care of the rest. Our home away from home is a water lovers paradise, the Sandals Royal Curaçao. Boasting nine outdoor pools, two swim-up bars, a five-star PADI dive centre, complimentary kayaks and paddleboards, it’s a Caribbean dream come true — and did we mention our Deluxe room category features a terrace soaking tub for sipping bubbles in at the end of a magical day?

Each day, we’ll roll out our mats in some of the most beautiful island yoga shalas, flowing through creative vinyasa classes and melting into a soothing yin massage session. Throughout the retreat, we’ll also explore the powerful connection between yoga and scuba diving — both grounded in calm, conscious breath. This trip is for all levels of yogis, including first-timers, and all levels of certified scuba divers.

A photographer will be with us throughout the retreat, capturing moments both on land and underwater so everyone leaves with profile-picture-worthy shots. You’ll receive a curated collection of professional images, including underwater portraits, along with gentle posing tips to help you feel confident in front of the camera.

Want to know more about being a PADI Club member? Check out the perks and join here.

The Details

This five day retreat will be held from November 11-15, 2026. The cost, including just about everything, starts from $3,700 per person for a shared room (less than it would be to book just the resort alone!)

What’s Included

• Four nights accommodation at Sandals Royal Curaçao
• All inclusive meal + beverages
• Daily yoga
• At least six dives
• PADI Coral Reef Conservation Specialty
• Scuba diving gear rental
• Lionfish lunch + jewelry workshop
• Otrobanda walking tour
• Mangrove plantation tour + planting project
• Local transportation including arrival + departure transfers
• A custom welcome bag
• Local tipping for activities, meals and drivers*
• Professional photos of the trip
• Donation to a local on-island charity

What’s Not Included

• Flights
• Mandatory travel + dive insurance
• Airport transfer tips, the only tip you’ll handle the entire trip! (This is an outside vendor we cannot tip on your behalf.) We recommend $5-10 per person per way.

The Itinerary

Subject to change, but you’re going to have a magical time — here’s the general idea!

Day 1: Welcome to Curaçao! Touch down in colorful Willemstad and let the warm Caribbean breeze melt away any lingering winter chills. Upon arrival, make your way to Sandals Royal Curaçao, where lush grounds, sweeping ocean views, and endless amenities set the tone for the days ahead. If you arrive early, you’re welcome to ease into vacation mode with an optional spa treatment or some relaxed, toes-in-the-sand beach time. We’ll gather in the afternoon for an opening yoga practice, held overlooking the sparkling Santa Barbara Bay. As golden hour approaches, we’ll gather for welcome drinks, introductions, and a brief retreat overview. We’ll also share a feel-good moment highlighting how this retreat supports meaningful local initiatives, including Limpi Recycling, which transforms waste into artful new life, and Sea Turtle Conservation Curaçao, dedicated to protecting the island’s most beloved marine residents. Already besties, we’ll head to Zuka for a lively latin dinner. It’s the perfect opening night to toast new friends and the beautiful long weekend ahead.

Day 2: Let’s get diving + exploring! We’ll welcome the morning with a peaceful sunrise yoga flow before fueling up with breakfast at Aolos. Then it’s straight to the water for a double boat dive with our expert crew, kicking things off with a check-out dive at the iconic Alice in Wonderland site — a fitting nod to our Wanderers! Back on shore, we’ll head to the classroom with our very own Divemaster Alex to complete your PADI AWARE Coral Reef Conservation Specialty, deepening your connection to the environment we’ll be exploring all week. For lunch, enjoy a meal from one of the resort’s gourmet beachside food trucks — how quaint! In the afternoon, we’ll get hands-on with the BRANCH Coral Foundation, diving in for an underwater tour of their nearby nursery and a behind-the-scenes look at how this restoration project is saving the reef one fragment at a time. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy: soak up poolside bliss, bike around the property, kayak the canals, or indulge in a spa treatment. For those craving a little after-dark magic, an optional night dive is available before dinner at the Sandals restaurant of your choice — perhaps a chic sushi bar or a barefoot-luxury seafood spot right on the sand.

Day 3: Today we venture offshore for a dreamy morning at Klein Curaçao — or Little Curaçao — an uninhabited island oasis home to powdery white sands and impossibly blue water. We’ll head out for two breathtaking dives in the island’s pristine coral gardens, home to dramatic drop-offs, sea turtle sightings, and vibrant schools of reef fish. Once we’ve had our underwater fill, we’ll step ashore this postcard-worthy island to explore the historic pink lighthouse, wander the beach paths, and soak up the sun before enjoying a castaway lunch right on the sand. This is one of Curaçao’s most magical experiences, curated just for you — a true desert island dreamscape that you get the rare opportunity to enjoy above and below the surface. Back on Big Curaçao in the afternoon, we’ll visit the Rif Mangrove Park, a remarkable city park and vital nursery for Curaçao’s marine life. We’ll tour the boardwalk to learn about this unique habitat and even plant a mangrove to contribute to the island’s coastal protection. After enjoying dinner at your leisure, we’ll end the day regrouping for a soulful yin class under the stars.

Day 4: After a sunrise dive buddy-inspired partner yoga class and another iconic island breakfast, we’ll head out for a two tank morning dive to the captain’s choice of the best of Curaçao’s colorful reefs and famed wrecks. Warrior two got you feeling like an ocean warrior? Choose to upgrade these dives to training dives for an optional PADI Invasive Lionfish Distinctive Speciality. Learn all about this invasive species, how it is managed, and contribute to their population control by adding a spear to your dive gear! Once we’re back on shore, it’s time to decompress as we head into Willemstad, the colorful capital of Curaçao. We’ll kick things off at Lionfish Curaçao, a woman-owned sustainable business, where we’ll sample the local flavor with specially prepared dishes made from the infamous striped sea life. You’ll also learn how local creators transform culled lionfish into sustainable jewelry — and hand-craft a piece of your own to take home in true Wander Women crafternoon style. We’ll cap off the afternoon with a colorful walking tour led by our girl-boss local guide, admiring Curaçao’s kaleidoscopic street art and cultural history. Afterward, you’ll have free time to shop or soak up the sunset from a rooftop bar. This evening, we’ll gather back at the resort for a special farewell dinner at Vincent, celebrating friendship, adventure, and all the memories we’ve made together.

Day 5: Somehow it’s time to go home, but not before one last sunrise yoga practice to prepare for your travel day ahead. With camera rolls and hearts full, we’ll share final farewells over breakfast and a classic Wander Women closing circle. After checkout, you’ll head to the airport—or, if you have a later flight, feel free to linger and enjoy the resort amenities just a little bit longer. You’ve earned it!

Where We’ll Stay + What We’ll Eat

We’ll be resting our heads for four nights at the stunning Sandals Royal Curaçao, which doubles as our adventure playground for this retreat. Enter stress-free as we are expertly taken care of from the moment we set foot on Curaçao, and prepare to be thrilled and chilled by a wide flight of resort facilities — we can’t wait to try them all! This property is all inclusive, meaning your onsite meals and beverages are included and can be enjoyed as you wish. We’ll share a group dining plan for everyone to gather and swap highlights throughout the day, or feel free to explore the eight signature restaurants, three unique food trucks, and thirteen bars at your own pace!

There are two room categories to choose from — Superior or Deluxe — which can be booked as either a Single, for your personal ultimate haven, or Shared, if you prefer to bunk with a dive buddy — bring your own or we’ll pair you with someone we know you’ll click with, based on your intake form! (We have some bestie matchmaking bragging rights under our belts). All rooms feature one extra large cloud-like king-size bed for sharing, a giant en suite bathroom, Smart TV, plenty of space for happy dances, and a refrigerator stocked with bottled water, juice, soda, local beer and a variety of wines.

Superior rooms (pictured above) are located on the second floor conveniently near the beach and overlooking beautifully landscaped gardens from a private balcony.

Deluxe rooms (pictured below) are located on the ground floor with a private patio that features a circular Tranquility Soaking Tub and lounge chairs for taking in the tropical garden vista.

All your daily dives will be conducted from Sandals’ state-of-the-art Newton dive boats, ensuring a seamless, “valet-style” experience from dock to depth. While top-of-the-line gear is included, we recommend bringing your own dive computer to track your profiles. With the dive center located right on-property, you’ll be back on land in no time — perfect for a glass of Blue Curaçao by the infinity pool or a sunset stroll with your new scuba sisters.

What’s PADI Club?

We’re thrilled to be partnering with PADI Club! Certified divers from any training organization are welcome to join PADI Club. In addition to being eligible to participate in the retreats, membership comes with the following bonus benefits:

Annual subscription to Scuba Diving® Magazine

20% Off Select PADI eLearning Courses

Free and discounted PADI certification cards

Free Online ReActivate® Scuba Refresher

Invites to Exclusive Member Trips + Speaker Series Events

Free DAN Prepared Diver Courses + Exclusive suite of DAN benefits

Getting There and Away

You’ll fly into Curaçao International Airport (CUR), also known as Hato International Airport. Travelers holding US, Canadian, UK, Australian, and most European passports can enter Curaçao visa-free for stays of up to 90 days.

With direct and convenient one-stop flight options from North America and Europe, getting here is breezy. Once you touch down, we’ve made sure your journey from the plane to the sand is completely stress-free, with arrival and departure airport transfers included.

Please feel free to reach out to us for help with flight recommendations — we’re always available at retreats@alexinwanderland.com. We offer an hour of complimentary consultation on booking your trip, after which we will offer our hourly consulting at a special retreat guest rate. You will receive a packet at the time of booking with more details regarding travel.

Travel With Us

On this trip, you’ll be traveling with Alex Baackes as your host and yoga teacher. More hosts will be announced soon!

Alexandra Baackes is the founder of Wander Women Retreats and Alex in Wanderland as well as a PADI Divemaster, an AmbassaDiver, and a Women Divers’ Hall of Fame Associate Member. She has worked in the dive industry as an underwater videographer, a writer for publications like Sport Diver and Scuba Diver magazines, and as the creator of Wander Women Retreats. She is also a RYT 200 Registered Yoga Teacher, an RYT 50 Aerial Yoga Teacher, a Buti Bands and Sculpt instructor, and a regular yoga practitioner for more than a decade — she can’t wait to practice with you.

F.A.Q.

So does non-refundable really mean non-refundable?

Yes, all payments are non-refundable. If the trip must be postponed or canceled due to events beyond our control, you will be offered the choice between a full refund and applying your payments to a future trip.

The reason payments are non-refundable is that we start incurring costs from the moment someone presses “book” — from credit card fees to high hourly wages for our team who correspond with guests, manage trip inventory and our e-commerce platform, analyze forms to create room assignments, coordinate with our local vendors, and beyond.

There’s nothing we want more than for our guests to take and enjoy the travel they have worked hard and paid for. Thank you so much for your understanding and respect of our need to enforce this policy strictly. We want to be here to travel with you for years to come!

I didn’t get certified with PADI. Am I welcome on this trip?

Divers of all agencies, at all levels, are welcome in PADI Club, and on this trip!

What diving certification do I need?

An Open Water certification is required to fully experience the diving offered on this retreat. That said, non-divers are absolutely welcome to join and enjoy everything Sandals has to offer while dives are taking place, including snorkeling excursions, kayaking, paddleboarding, tennis, and other included activities and amenities. For those curious about diving, it’s also possible to upgrade to Discover Dives, which require no prior experience. Please note that the included PADI Coral Reef Conservation course is a classroom-based (“dry”) specialty, meaning no diving is required — you can still become an ocean torchbearer! As this retreat is priced as a full experience, there is no price reduction for non-divers.

Will I need travel and dive insurance?

Yes, it is mandatory for all Wander Women Retreat guests to have personal travel and dive insurance for the duration of the trip, either through a travel insurance provider such as World Nomads, or an industry specific membership insurance such as Divers Alert Network (DAN). World Nomads offers coverage at affordable rates. We strongly recommend you book your travel insurance as soon as you make your trip deposit to protect your investment.

What about visas?

Good news! Entering Curaçao is a relatively straightforward process as tourist visas are not necessary when you hold a US, UK, Canadian or Australian passport — along with many other countries. Before traveling, you will just need to make sure that you fill out your Digital Immigration Card online, and have at least six months validity from your intended return date and a blank passport page — hurray, another stamp!

Why women only?

Girls just wanna have fun! Diving is still a male-dominated industry, and we want to take a week to connect like-minded women and celebrate the female scuba community.

Will I have time to do my own thing?

Absolutely. This is your retreat and we want you to make it exactly what you want! There’s a lot to see and experience, so we’ve tried to design an itinerary that balances the best of activity and downtime — we’re happy to help facilitate you doing your own thing.

Do I need to be good at yoga?

Absolutely not — and honestly, we don’t believe in the idea of being “good” at yoga! Our retreats welcome everyone, from complete beginners to experienced teachers. You’ll have the chance to explore a variety of styles and can join as many (or as few) classes as feels right for you.

Tell me more about the upgrades!

There is limited availability for both, book soon to avoid disappointment.

The night dive starts at $120 and is for Advanced Open Water divers. Open Water divers may complete the night dive as an Adventure Dive at additional cost.

The PADI Invasive Lionfish Distinctive Speciality speciality starts at $290 and is for divers of all levels. You’ll learn how to safely and responsibly hunt lionfish using a spear and containment unit, helping to protect Curaçao’s delicate reef eco-system while enjoying a unique and purposeful dive experience. The course consists of a small amount of self study, and the two training dives taking place over the final two dives of the retreat, in place of fun dives, though we will still all be together on the boat!

I want to extend my trip. Can you help me?

Absolutely! Extra nights can be booked at either end of the retreat if you would like to extend your stay in paradise. Upon booking we will send more information and details on pricing. 

How much money will I need to bring?

Curaçao’s local currency is the Netherlands Antillean Guilder (ANG), but U.S. dollars are widely accepted across the island, especially at resorts, restaurants, and shops (you may receive change in guilders). ATMs are easy to find and typically dispense local currency, and most places accept major credit cards as well. Since our stay at Sandals Royal Curaçao is all-inclusive, you’ll have very little need for extra spending money beyond souvenirs, optional off-property purchases, and gratuities for dive staff or guides, which are always at your discretion.

Is there an age requirement?

You must be 18 years or older for this retreat. We love the age diversity of the Wander Women community, which includes travelers ages 18 to 68! We get a lot of questions from those concerned they will be the oldest or youngest on a retreat — all are welcome, truly.

Is there a waiting list?

There will be a waiting list on a first-come, first-served basis in case spaces open up. If the retreat is full and you’re still interested, email us at retreats@alexinwanderland.com to be added to the waiting list.

I still have questions, or cute photos of my dog. Can I contact you?

Um, yes please! Our email is retreats@alexinwanderland.com.