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Shete Boka National Park is the smaller of the two national parks on Curaçao. It’s just north of Christoffel National Park.
Introduction to Shete Boka National Park
Shete Boka National Park, founded in 1994, protects 10 kilometers of the island’s north coast. There are 10 coves where three species of sea turtles lay their eggs. Nesting season runs from May through December, and the Carmabi Foundation monitors the beach for sea turtle activity.
Visiting Shete Boka National Park
Shete Boka National Park is open daily from 9am to 5pm, with the last entry at 4pm. Admission is US$15 for adults, US$2 for kids age 6-12, and free for kids under 6 (as of February 2025). Four coves are accessible on foot via two easy hiking trails. You can also get close to each one of them by car. If you don’t have your own transportation, there are plenty of guided tours that stop there. Check the official website for more info.
Boka Tabla
Boka Tabla is the cove nearest to the gate. The trail to the right leads through a short tunnel of trees to a small cove where the waves crash into the shore.
At the end of the trail is a small platform leading to a stairway down to an underground cave. Be careful walking down – it gets slippery. Once inside, you can hear and feel the power of the waves crashing into the cave.
A stairway up from the cove takes you to another trail that leads to a viewing platform. Along the way, you can look down onto the small cove. When you get to the platform, you’ll have an incredible view of Boka Tabla. The trail continues to Boka Wandomi, where you can get a look at the rugged coastline, or you can loop back to the parking lot.
Boka Wandomi
The road to Boka Wandomi is to the left of Boka Tabla. Once at the parking lot, there’s a short trail leading to the cove. Along the way, you’ll be treated to the lush green landscape of the area.
At the end of the trail is Boka Wandomi. There’s a viewing platform and you can continue along the trail for more views of the cove.
A concrete staircase built into the bluff leads down to the beach level of Boka Wandomi. Cross the beach and there’s another staircase leading up the other side.
Once up the other staircase, you can follow the trail to get another perspective of Boka Wandomi. As you get closer to the shore, the natural bridge will come into view.
At the end of the trail is a wooden staircase leading down to a viewing platform where you can get a better look at the natural bridge.
Boka Kalki
To the right of Boka Tabla, you’ll find the road to Boka Kalki and Boka Pistol. To get to Boka Kalki you turn left after a short distance and continue to the parking lot. From there, a short trail leads through a mangrove forest until you reach the beach.
At Boka Kalki, you have the possibility to witness sea turtles laying eggs in their nest. You can also get up close to the shore to see the waves crashing on the beach.
There are stairs on each side of the cove. Taking the stairs on the right, you can walk along the cliff to get a good view of the blowholes on the opposite side of Boka Kalki as well as a nice panoramic view of the entire cove.
The stairs on the left also offer a nice view. Just be careful when you’re walking. Take your time and watch your step. One fall on the jagged rocks could really tear you up!
Boka Pistol
For us, Boka Pistol is the most impressive area of Shete Boka National Park. It’s a powerful blowhole that will leave you awestruck. You can watch from the viewing platform to see the force of the water crashing in – just before it shoots like a pistol high into the air.
If that’s not enough, you can also experience this incredible natural spectacle from behind for a completely different perspective.
Another thing to look out for at Boka Pistol is a group goats grazing nearby. Also take a good look at the rugged north coast of Curaçao, with waves crashing along the coast as far as the eye can see.
