Boka Tabla
Wave cave.
JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Lswarte — CC BY-SA 3.0 · DANIEL ALFARO C. — CC BY-SA 3.0 · DANIEL ALFARO C. — CC BY-SA 3.0 · DANIEL ALFARO C. — CC BY-SA 3.0
Shete Boka National Park is a reserve on Curaçao's rugged north coast, about 4 km in a straight line east of the village of Westpunt. Its name means «seven inlets»; it was created in 1994, covers about 200 hectares and runs along more than 10 km of coastline. The coast is cut by about ten small bays and narrow inlets that islanders call «boka», protected because sea turtles nest in them. Caribbean waves driven by the trade winds crash into these inlets with great force, bursting into spray and roar. The park's best-known sight is Boka Tabla, a cave you walk down into from land to watch the waves surge in from the sea. Other inlets include Boka Wandomi, with its natural rock bridge, and narrow Boka Pistol, where the waves strike with sounds like pistol shots; dirt roads lead to most of them by car. Entry is paid. Keep back from the rock edges, as waves can surprise you, do not swim in these inlets, and bring water and a hat, as there is little shade.
Wave cave.
Natural bridge.
Waves like gunshots.
North coast, Curaçao
No, the waves here are strong and dangerous.
Yes, dirt roads reach most of the inlets.