Have visited Karacter in Curaçao and enjoyed it a great deal it but you find it much different than SXM. There are very nice hotel accommodations, a very nice pool area , and a great restaurant right on the water. We dined there one evening and loved it. There is also a dive shop. There is not a beach but beautiful water and you enter and exit by way of ladders. If I remember correctly It is immediately over your head. With regard to the island beaches, they were beautiful typically lined with rocky cliffs. As Todd said a car is a must unless staying in Willemstad which I would not recommend. Will certainly go again one day.