Bandabou beaches and nature by rental car
Bandabou is the western part of Curaçao, home to the island's finest bays and its two big national parks. Without a car you'll hardly get there. Below you'll find every guide and two routes for a day trip.
Snorkel bays with turtles and reef
Playa Lagun is a sheltered bay between rock walls, Playa Piskado the fishing beach where turtles swim around the boats, and Playa Kalki the place for the reef at the bottom of the stairs. All three are small and best suited to snorkelling.
Beaches for a whole day
Grote Knip and Kleine Knip are neighbouring public beaches with clear, shallow water. Cas Abao and Playa Porto Marie are privately managed, charge an entrance fee, have full facilities and are the closest to Blue Bay.
National parks
In the Christoffelpark you climb the island's highest mountain; start early. Shete Boka is right next door on the rugged north coast, with inlets where the waves smash against the rocks.
Day route 1: a snorkel day along the west coast
Leave Blue Bay around 8 a.m. and drive about 45 minutes straight to Playa Piskado in Westpunt. You'll be there in time for the turtles, which arrive when the fishermen return. Then drive a few minutes to Playa Kalki to snorkel along the reef.
Around midday, head back towards Lagun and spend the afternoon at Grote Knip or the quieter Kleine Knip. On the way back, stop at Playa Lagun for a final snorkel in the sheltered bay. You'll be back in Blue Bay towards the end of the afternoon.
Day route 2: a nature day in the north-west
Leave early, around 6 a.m., so you climb the mountain in the cool of the morning. Climb Mount Christoffel, then drive a few minutes to Shete Boka, where you go from boka to boka by car.
Cool off in the afternoon at Playa Piskado or Playa Kalki in Westpunt. Drive back along the west coast and end the day at Playa Porto Marie or Cas Abao, 25 minutes from Blue Bay.
Practical tips for a day in Bandabou
Bring plenty of water per person, plus sunscreen, water shoes and snorkel gear. In many places shade is limited and you can't buy food everywhere. Don't leave valuables visible in the car while you swim.
On the nature day you'll drive on unpaved park roads, where a compact SUV like the Hyundai Venue or Ford EcoSport is most comfortable. For the beaches, the Chevrolet Spark is enough for two.
Plan your drive
Pick your travel dates and see straight away which car is available. Answers about renting, insurance and pickup are all in one place on our FAQ page.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Bandabou?
- Bandabou is the western part of Curaçao, around the Christoffelpark and Westpunt. It's home to the island's best-known bays as well as the Christoffelpark and Shete Boka.
- Can you see Bandabou in one day?
- A large part of it, yes, but pick a theme: a snorkel day along the beaches or a nature day in the parks. Combining both in one day is tight, because the Christoffelpark needs a very early start.
- How long is the drive from Blue Bay to Westpunt?
- About 45 minutes. The managed beaches Cas Abao and Porto Marie are closer, at about 25 minutes.