Tours in Banda Abou & Westpunt, Curaçao

Banda Abou is Curaçao's west end: hills, cactus country, plantation houses and small coves with very clear water. It is home to Christoffel National Park, the crashing inlets of Shete Boka National Park and the beaches from Playa Santa Cruz to Westpunt, and it is where most of our Jeep tours and both fishing charters head.

The west end of the island

Drive west out of Willemstad and the city soon gives way to hills, cactus and the stone walls of old plantations. By the time you reach Westpunt, fishing boats are pulled up on the beach, pelicans sit on the rocks and the coves below the coral cliffs are a clear, bright blue. This is Banda Abou, the rugged and quiet west end of Curaçao.

What Banda Abou is

Banda Abou is the western part of Curaçao, from the countryside beyond Willemstad to Westpunt, the fishing village at the island's western tip. The name is Papiamentu and means roughly "the lower side". Its two coasts are very different. The leeward coast, facing southwest, is sheltered from the trade winds, with calm coves and beaches, while the north coast takes the full force of the sea. Between them, Christoffel National Park rises to the highest point on the island.

From Willemstad, allow roughly 45 minutes to an hour to drive to Westpunt.

The places our tours and itineraries visit

Christoffel National Park

Christoffel National Park covers the hills around Christoffelberg, the highest point on Curaçao, with red rocks, green slopes, cactus and long views to the sea. Landhuis Savonet stands at the park entrance, and the park is home to the island's small white-tailed deer. From viewpoints such as Seru Bientu you look out over the park to the coast.

Shete Boka National Park

Shete Boka means "seven inlets", and the park protects a stretch of the north coast where the sea surges into narrow bays and explodes against the cliffs. A path through the rocks leads to Boka Tabla, a cave where you can stand and watch the waves break in. It is a place to watch the sea, not to swim.

Westpunt and Playa Piskado

Westpunt is the island's westernmost village. Playa Piskado, also called Playa Grandi, is a working fishing beach where boats and fishermen are part of the scene, and sea turtles are often seen nearby, though sightings are never guaranteed. The shoreline can be rocky, so take your time getting in and out.

Playa Forti

Also in Westpunt, Playa Forti has coarse brown sand and pebbles, with steep access down to the water. Above it, a restaurant opened in 1958 on the ruins of a British fort from the Napoleonic era, and the cliff below the restaurant is a well-known spot for jumping into the sea.

Grote Knip and Kleine Knip

Grote Knip (Playa Kenepa Grandi) pairs pale sand with turquoise water and a sweeping bay view. Its smaller neighbor, Kleine Knip (Playa Kenepa Chiki), is a compact cove for a book, a picnic or a swim. The nearby Kenepa plantation is where Tula's uprising against slavery began on 17 August 1795, and a monument to the revolt stands in front of Landhuis Knip.

Playa Lagun and Playa Jeremi

Playa Lagun is a small cove with turquoise water that snorkelers love. Nearby Playa Jeremi is a compact cove framed by rocky slopes, reached by uneven rock-cut steps from the parking area, with little shade.

Playa Santa Cruz

Playa Santa Cruz is a broad bay south of Lagun. Its mangroves attract birdlife and can reduce underwater visibility, so it is better for a walk along the shore and some bird-watching than for snorkeling. Reef Riders' fishing boat goes out from here.

Cas Abao

Cas Abao is a beach with beach beds under the trees and clear water, and the afternoon stop on Yellow Adventures' snorkeling day.

Jan Kok

The salt pans at Jan Kok are among the best-known places on the island to see flamingos feeding.

Tours that take you to Banda Abou

Into Christoffel National Park

Yellow Adventures' National Park Jeep Safari is a full day off-road in open 4×4s. It heads to the rough north shore and into Christoffel National Park, including the Orchid Route that only Yellow Adventures is allowed to drive, with views from high on the hills. A driver-guide, the park entrance, plantation history, viewing points and water are included; there is a lunch stop, but lunch is not included. It is for guests aged 6 and older, and not for anyone pregnant or with back problems.

Caves, turtles and a beach afternoon

The Snorkel & Beach Adventure takes you by 4×4 to the caves of the north shore at Shete Boka, then snorkeling where sea turtles swim beside you, then an afternoon on the beach. Mask, snorkel and fins, the beach entrance and the Shete Boka National Park entrance are included, with a beach bed, a shower coin and a free soft drink at Cas Abao. You must be able to swim and be comfortable in open water, and it is for ages 6 and older.

The whole island in a day

Yellow Adventures' Complete Island Tour also crosses into Banda Abou, with the Shete Boka National Park entrance, land houses, a photo stop at Knip Beach and the flamingo sanctuary, before taking you back to your hotel.

Private Jeep days with Real World Adventures

Real World Adventures drive their own Jeep Wrangler, privately for just your group, with pickup and drop-off where you stay. Their custom days of five or seven hours, for 1 to 7 guests aged 12 and older, let you choose from west-coast beaches, snorkeling, turtles, flamingos, caves and natural pools; their photos include Grote Knip, Playa Forti and the turquoise cove at Playa Lagun.

On the Jeep and boat day to the Blue Room, you go off-road along the rugged west coast, then take a two-hour boat trip straight into the glowing Blue Room cave and two calm snorkel spots. The Jeep is private; a few other guests may share the boat. Their full-day off-road adventure covers Banda Abou and the north coast, with caves, a blowhole and tide pools you can swim in. On all of them you reserve for free, with no deposit, and pay your guide on the day.

Fishing off Playa Santa Cruz

Off Curaçao the sea gets deep close to the shore, so soon after leaving Playa Santa Cruz you are over deep water. Reef Riders Curaçao fish from a private 22-foot boat with a shade roof and a local captain, for up to 3 guests, and the price is for the whole boat. The 4-hour charter is deep-water bottom fishing for Caribbean red snapper, with powerful electric reels doing the heavy lifting. The five-hour fishing charter adds trolling for tuna and mahi-mahi when conditions allow, before deep-dropping for queen snapper and other deep-water snappers. No experience is needed, guests are from 10 years old, and you keep your catch, cleaned by the captain.

A self-guided beach day

Prefer to explore on your own? Our Free beaches driving route links six beaches between Playa Santa Cruz and Westpunt: Santa Cruz, Jeremi, Kleine Knip, Grote Knip, Playa Piskado and Playa Forti. Beach access is free; transport, food, loungers, umbrellas, equipment and other optional services are extra. Allow a full day and choose two or three longer swims rather than rushing into the water at every stop.

Getting there and pickup

• Yellow Adventures pick up at most major hotels. Their tours run daily from 9 AM to 3 PM, and the pickup time depends on your hotel.
• Real World Adventures pick you up and drop you off where you stay. On the Blue Room day, pickup is at 10:00 and drop-off around 16:00, because the boat runs in the afternoon, when the light makes the water glow.
• Reef Riders' charters leave from Playa Santa Cruz, and pickup and drop-off are not included. Another departure point is possible when the weather asks for it.
• On your own, the Free beaches route is a driving route: travel by car or arrange transport in advance, and download your map before you leave.

Practical tips for Banda Abou

• Water shoes make the rocky entry at Playa Piskado and the steep access at Playa Forti much easier.
• Bring water, a picnic and sun protection: facilities and shade vary from beach to beach, and some coves have very little.
• Snorkel gear: bring your own on a self-guided day; the Snorkel & Beach Adventure includes mask, snorkel and fins.
• Respect the sea life: never stand on coral, keep clear of boats and give turtles space.
• Do the hills early: Christoffel National Park is hot and exposed in the middle of the day.
• Check the sea before you swim, and on the north coast stay out of the water unless your guide says otherwise.
• Take your litter with you, and check any posted beach charges locally.

Nearby areas and more tours

Banda Abou is the heart of our Jeep tours on Curaçao and the starting point of our fishing charters. Its wild north shore runs on into central Curaçao and the north coast, where the off-road routes add caves, tide pools and blowholes.