Right in the middle of the 1.7 square kilometers uninhabited island called Klein Curacao, stands the iconic pink lighthouse. The first lighthouse was built in 1850, but destroyed by unforgiving hurricanes in 1877. The next lighthouse, which still survives, was built in the interior of the island. It was home to fearless lighthouse keepers, who stayed in the adjoining rooms, without running water or electricity

Standing alone in the middle of the island, it is now abandoned. The wooden stairs to the top of the lighthouse are still intact, as are the two stories of rooms. The 22 meters (66 feet) tall tower had to be rebuild three times but is still functioning today. Due to the many shipwrecks, putting the lighthouse back to work was more than necessary. Despite all the technologies we use nowadays, Klein Curacao is still a very difficult island to maneuver around. Most recent, in 1982 a large oil tanker, the Maria Bianca Guidesman, stranded on the windward side of Klein Curacao. And not just ships, also yachts have fallen victim to its ferocious waters. In 2008, the light tower got a LED beacon with solar panels, still flashing every 15 seconds.

Klein Curacao is a low, flat island which makes it hard to spot from the bridge of a ship. The island has even been called “a worthless cliff” and “being in the way of the traffic on the ocean”. However true, many shipwrecks on Klein Curacao are because of the very strong currents and the unforgiving northeast winds. This combination of wind and current make it very hard for even the best of captains to steer their vessel around the island.

The all-important pink lighthouse is definitely one of the sights to go and admire while on Klein Curacao. The distance from the bounty beach where the recreational boats anchor to the lighthouse is not too far for a walk. Try to go there first as it can gradually get very hot and wind still in the middle of the island as the day progresses.

It’s not every day that you get to say you visited an uninhabited bounty island, full of history and mystery. So, take a boat trip to Klein Curacao for some well-deserved bragging rights and some surreal photos!