Westpunt

Westpunt and Surroundings

Watamula & Shete Boka
With its beautiful beaches, vast stretches of scenery, rough terrain and natural surroundings, this farthest northwest point of the Island is a perfect walking area. Sturdy shoes are recommended. At Boka Djego, look out for the endemic globe cactus with its white/yellow needles. Adventurers can dive from the rocks at Playa Forti and Playa Kalki is a great place for swimming and snorkeling. Apart from the Seru Kabayé-route and Cliff-route, Playa Kalki and Buraku di Tomasitu are also worth a visit. Buraku di Tomasitu is situated in the area of the Kura Hulanda Lodge. It is a hole in the rocks about 6 meters deep and 4 meters wide and connected to the sea by a tunnel of ten meters. Old Indian artifacts were found here and visiting is possible with permission from the lodge. Close by, in the direction of the coast is a large hole in the ground, connected to the sea at the bottom. Due to the powerful force of the waves, the air is pressed in and out of the porous tunnel system in the rocks, sounding as if Curaçao is 'breathing' here. Watamula is henceforth called "The breath of Curaçao". About a hundred meters north at the coast is a hole in the ground where the waves cause a large fountain to shoot up. Several restaurants at the turnoff to Watamula/Playa Kalki, including the well-known Jaanchies and Freshly caught fish at the fisherman’s hut at Playa Piskadó (Fisherman’s Bay).

Sheta Boka Originally this coastal area was known as Rancho Grandi or Sabana Grandi. Like the walking trails in Watamula and Shete Boka-West the area is especially appealing due to the influence of the sea. The rugged coast with its crashing waves is accentuated by several beautiful bays and caves that are half immersed in water. The terrain is quite rugged. Strong walking shoes are recommended. According to the CARMABI Foundation the most important natural treasures in this area are the nesting beaches of sea turtles. The Foundation strives to protect and improve these nesting beaches. Volunteers are invited to participate in the monitoring of sea-turtles.

Christoffel National Park The Christoffel National Park is one of Curacao's shining jewels and should top anyone's list of natural attractions to visit whilst on Curacao! Encompassing three former plantations (Savonet, Zevenbergen, and Zorgvlied) the park took shape in the early 1970's and opened its doors to the public in 1978 with 4,500 protected acres (1821 hectares/18 km2).The plantations were purchased by the government and merged into a National Park. It is rich in rare plants and animal species and has the highest mountain, 1240 ft (370m) on the Island. The park is now in the care of the Foundation CARMABI.

Points of special interest in the park:

Christoffel Mountain - the trail to the summit (375m) takes an hour involving a little bit of clambering at the top.

Boka Grandi - the idyllic turtle bay

The Cathedral - a cave, only accessible with a guide.

Orchid Route - the roughest and hilliest on the island.

Ruins - Plantation houses and a warehouse (one of the last holdouts of rebelling slaves)

Hòfi Pastor Hòfi Pastor has a fairytale like atmosphere and is definitely worth a visit! It has a pleasant picnic spot under old mango trees. Lookout for the giant old Kapok tree. Hòfi Pastor is found on the road to Westpunt adjacent to the church in the village of Barber and is accessible to everyone. Hòfi is managed by Amigu di Tera (Friends of the Earth).

Ascension Boka Ascencion is a beautiful spot in this area, a magnificent inlet with a rich diversity of flora and fauna. You are treated to fabulous views of the plains and the mountain as well as the manzalina grove full of lots of tiny crabs. In the Bay you'll likely come across flamingoes and turtles and the restored plantation house evokes days gone by. The roads are easily accessible. There are two barriers in the area so you can only enter by foot. Foundation Uniek Curaçao takes care of the area and has the keys and entrance codes. Ascencion has footpaths through a variety of landscapes such as manzalina groves, fields of cactus, Salinas, mangroves and bays along the north coast. There is a huge diversity of plant and animal life. Cultural and historical spots places to visit are:
Country-house Ascencion
The grave of ‘Shon Martin’
Kas di Pal’i Maishi is an old kunuku house, now a museum.
The old Frido Bakery