Let the sea set you free at Playa Wachi also known as Snake Bay

Playa Wachi / Snake Bay

Playa Wachi is located on the mid-west coast of Curacao, twelve kilometers south of the historic center of Willemstad. Playa Wachi is also called Snakebay, Slangenbaai or Playa Wachi. Playa Wachi is located near the small fishing village of Boca Sint Michiel on the Sint Michielsbaai. Boca Sint Michiel is usually abbreviated as Boca Samí. The name Playa Wachi was given to the beach over time because many ‘snakes’ were spotted in the water. In reality, these are not snakes, but moray eels. Sea snakes do not occur in the Caribbean Sea. This will come as a great relief to some water recreationists; the lion’s share of sea snakes are poisonous; very poisonous even. Moray eels are fish that have the shape of a snake. Five species of moray eels can be found in the Caribbean Sea that surrounds Curacao: purple-mouthed moray eel, gold-tailed moray eel, chain moray eel, green moray eel and spotted moray eel. Beautiful sea creatures!

(Photos from 2019)

What does Playa Wachi look like?

Playa Wachi is a tiny beach with usually few visitors. The beach is strewn with sand, pebbles, fossilized coral and boulders. The mini beach has few shaded areas except for two palapas. A palapa is a structure on wooden poles with a roof of dried palm leaves. In addition, there are two concrete picnic tables where you can enjoy a tasty meal and drink. Playa Wachi is one of the two beaches of Boca Samí. The other beach is much larger and is called Boca Samí Beach or simply Boca Samí. Boca Samí Beach is also located on Sint Michielsbaai. The Saliña Sint Michiel flows into this bay. The Saliña Sint Michiel is a salt lake and a hotspot for flamingos. In Sint Michielsbaai there is an enormous mooring buoy where gigantic sea vessels can moor!