Shete Boka's Blowing Coves

Where Curacao's calm south coast flips to the windward north, Shete Boka park strings seven bokas - mouths - along the limestone shore, each a cove where the full Caribbean swell arrives without brakes. Boka Tabla is the theatre piece: stairs descend into a cave beneath the terrace where waves surge in and detonate, felt through the rock as much as heard. Boka Pistol fires geysers of spray on big days, and several quieter coves serve as nesting beaches for turtles in season. Short trails link the mouths along a coast of blowholes, arches and fossil coral terraces.

What you actually see

• Boka Tabla - the cave chamber where swells explode beneath your feet.
• Boka Pistol - the spray cannon on days with swell.
• The coastal trails - arches, blowholes and fossil terraces between mouths.
• Turtle nesting coves - protected beaches in season, viewed from the rims.

When to go

Year round; winter trade swells make the displays biggest, calm summer days trade spectacle for easier walking. Go early - the shadeless limestone bakes by midday and tour loops arrive late morning.

Honest expectations

The rock is razor-edged fossil coral: proper shoes, not flip-flops, and respect the edges - rogue surges have swept people from ledges here. The cave stairs are wet and slick. No swimming anywhere in the park; the north coast is lethal water. Facilities are a gate hut and little else - carry water.

Nearby

Westpunt's beaches, the Christoffel park summit and Willemstad.