Curaçao's Knip Beach was named one of the "Best Beaches in the World" by Passport Magazine. Curaçao, known to be gay-friendly amongst the Caribbean islands, was the only Caribbean destination featured on Passport Magazine's short list that included global locales such as Vietnam, Cuba, Hawaii, Spain and Tahiti, among others.

The island's Knip Beach, locally known as Kenepa Beach, is a Caribbean strand, with white sands shaded by the lush green surrounding hillside. Popular with local Curaçaoans as well as tourists, Knip Beach is one of the largest and most scenic beaches on the island, featuring a cliffside lookout point.

"Curaçao is delighted to be recognized as one of the world's best beach destinations for GLBT travelers," says Curaçao Tourist Board Marketing Manager North America André Rojer. "Our 35 uncrowded beaches are some of our best-kept secrets, each distinctly unique. This recent accolade is timed perfectly with the passage of the gay marriage law in New York and previously other states, when locals are looking to take a gay-friendly, Caribbean honeymoon."

Passport writes about Knip Beach, "You might see young men diving from the rocks or, especially during the week, it might be just you, that vast expanse of incredible water, the manzanilla trees framing a view of rugged cliffs and blue/green seas, with perhaps a tiny fisherman's boat out in the water. Descend to the beach, where the sand is white as sugar, the water that aqua-emerald-who-knows-what-color-to-call-it-but-it's-amazing hue that you'll find only in the Caribbean."

The island's gay and lesbian offerings are posted in greater detail at www.GayCuracao.com.