Shete Boka National Park is one of three national parks in Curaçao, alongside Christoffel National Park and the Curaçao Marine Park. While Christoffel Park is known for the iconic Christoffel Mountain (Christoffelberg) and the Marine Park focuses on preserving marine life, Shete Boka reveals the island’s raw, untamed side. Visiting Curaçao and want to see more than just beautiful beaches and charming restaurants? Then make sure to explore at least one of the national parks.
Where is Shete Boka National Park located?
Shete Boka National Park is situated on the northern coast of Curaçao, between the town of Westpunt and Christoffelberg. The park stretches along a rugged coastline with several coves and natural inlets, where powerful waves crash against the rocks. Expect dramatic landscapes and stunning views!
What does Shete Boka mean?
The name Shete Boka comes from Papiamentu and literally means “seven bays” or “seven inlets” (Shete = seven, Boka = bay or inlet). It refers to the seven different coves, inlets and sea caves that dot the park’s rugged coastline.
Nature in Shete Boka National Park
The landscape in Shete Boka National Park is rugged, dry and untouched. As soon as you enter the park, you find yourself in a desert-like environment. Low shrubs, cacti and trees with twisted branches dominate the scenery. Trees are mainly found in the more sheltered areas of the park, often along the walking paths that lead to one of the inlets. The closer you get to the coastline, the lower the vegetation becomes; everything is perfectly adapted to the dry climate and salty sea breeze. Right along the shore, dramatic cliffs offer breathtaking views. In this arid terrain, you may spot iguanas, lizards, small birds and wild goats; a great place to search for Curaçao’s Big Five!
Most well-known inlets in Shete Boka National Park
As mentioned above, Shete Boka National Park is named after the seven inlets (bokas) found in the area. In reality, there are at least nine inlets, some with small beaches where sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. Four of the inlets can be reached by car; the others are only accessible on foot. Short on time? Then exploring Shete Boka by car is a good option. At the entrance, you can purchase a simple map that shows the four most famous bokas, the driving route and the hiking trails.
Boka Pistol
Boka Pistol is without a doubt one of the most spectacular inlets in Shete Boka National Park. The name says it all: when waves are forced through a narrow opening in the rocks, the water shoots up into the air like a cannon. With a loud bang—just like a gunshot. During strong winds and rough seas, this natural spectacle can reach impressive heights. From the (covered) viewpoint, you have a direct view of the spot where the sea explodes into the air. It’s truly spectacular to witness the power of the ocean here!
Boka Kalki
Boka Kalki is a narrow, deep bay with a small beach, tucked between high limestone cliffs. You can park your car in the spacious parking area; from there, it’s a short walk to the inlet. The path takes you through a lower-lying area where shrubs and trees grow in sheltered spots between the limestone walls. As you get closer to the coast, you’ll start noticing more fossils and seashells embedded in the rock. The bay feels remote and a little mysterious. The beach and sea aren’t particularly picturesque—seaweed often washes ashore and the water can be rough. But that untouched, wild character is exactly what makes Boka Kalki so special. It’s a place where nature is left to run its course, raw and unfiltered.
Boka Tabla
Boka Tabla is perhaps the best-known inlet in Shete Boka National Park and is the closest to the park’s entrance. Many visitors who come on bus tours or excursions only get to see this inlet. Here, you can hear the roar of the sea even before you see the water. Waves crash powerfully against the rock walls, creating a spectacular experience. At Boka Tabla, you can descend into a cave via a staircase and there are also several viewpoints on top of the cliffs where you can enjoy the scenery.
Boka Wandomi
Boka Wandomi is a wider inlet in Shete Boka National Park with a small beach where the water is often calmer than at other bokas. A series of stairs leads you across to the other side of the bay, where you can admire a natural limestone bridge formed by erosion. The path from the parking lot to the viewpoints takes you through a barren and dry landscape. Barely anything grows on top of the cliffs, but in the slightly lower areas beside the cliffs, you’ll find low, fairly green vegetation. From here, you can see Christoffel Mountain in the distance.
Hiking in Shete Boka National Park
From the park entrance, you can take two circular hikes: one from Boka Tabla to Boka Wandomi and another from Boka Kalki to Boka Pistol. Both loops bring you back to the starting point and take about an hour each, depending on how long you stop at the various viewpoints along the way. Looking for a longer hike? You can easily combine the two routes into one.
Visiting Shete Boka during your stay in Curaçao
The best way to explore Curaçao is by renting a car. Generally, you can reach any spot on the island from Willemstad within an hour or less. It’s important to choose a rental with comprehensive insurance coverage, which is especially reassuring when driving through rugged landscapes like the unpaved, bumpy roads full of potholes in Shete Boka National Park.
