Bonaire - diver's paradise
Bonaire is the least known of the trio of Dutch ABC islands located in the southern Caribbean, near Venezuela. Consequently, it offers significantly lower prices than its neighbouring islands, Aruba and Curaçao. Additionally, it is the smallest of the three. This allows you to explore the island in a short amount of time, which would be a shame since the island’s beauty is primarily hidden beneath the sea.
Bonaire’s motto is “divers’ paradise”, and you have to come and see for yourself the beauty of the underwater life. For us, it definitely applies.
In addition to the underwater world, it also offers several beaches with white sand and turquoise sea, just like the neighbouring islands. There are also thousands of wild flamingos that you will encounter every day, whether you watch them resting peacefully in the shallow waters or flying over your head.
How to get around the island?
The best way to explore the island is by renting a car. Taxis are expensive and not very accessible. A car cost us $30 USD for the day and it was the best decision.
Beautiful and iconic beaches lie near the capital, but the nearby northern, southern and eastern coasts offer beautiful and wild nature. Along the way, you’ll encounter a variety of animals, see flamingos every day, and last but not least, enjoy the solitude of beautiful places.
Going to Bonaire and just staying in the capital is like not even visiting the island. We regretted not staying longer. We split our stay into 4 days on Aruba, 4 on Bonaire, and 4 on Curaçao, and while that was fine for us on Aruba, it wasn’t for Bonaire and Curaçao. We didn’t have time to explore the caves or properly enjoy the north of the island.
An underwater paradise for divers and snorkelling
Bonaire is one of the best destinations in the world for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts. Encompassing the entire island is the Bonaire National Marine Park, a protected area with more than 80 designated dive sites. You don’t need a boat to get to the reefs – many of them start just a few metres from shore. Just put on a mask, dive headfirst underwater and discover brightly coloured corals, sea turtles and thousands of tropical fish.
If you want to experience something unique, head to Klein Bonaire, where a fascinating underwater world full of fish hiding among the coral awaits you, as well as beautiful beaches, a gradual entry into the sea and perfect relaxation – whether you like snorkelling or not.
1000 Steps, an iconic dive site, will reward you with spectacular scenery as well as an amazing underwater world just a few metres from shore.
Salt Pier is not only about salt mining, you will also find Pink Beach and ideal conditions for diving.
And for us, the most beautiful experience was Te Amo Beach. Not only because it was unforgettable as a beach, but also because of the many fish that swam around us.
Beaches you'll love
Although Bonaire is not a typical Caribbean island with wide white beaches, its coastline offers plenty of beautiful places to relax.
Te Amo Beach has become our favourite – fine sand, calm sea and perfect conditions for snorkelling right from the shore.
If you’re looking for an even quieter spot, visit Lac Cai Beach, a small but picturesque beach that’s perfect for relaxing and enjoying the sunsets. You may not find any amenities here, but the views and tranquillity are priceless.
Or nearby Sorobon Beach, which had perhaps the most beautiful water colour we’ve ever seen. It’s also perfect for windsurfing, as there’s a strong wind almost nonstop.
Bachelor Beach is also popular among travelers, but we weren’t that impressed. Compared to Te Amo, it was inferior, so we spent more time on our favorite beach.
North forms a national park
More than 20% of the island belongs to Washington Slagbaai National Park, where dramatic cliffs, flamingo-filled lagoons and rocky beaches with massive waves await. This park is ideal for mountain biking, hiking or bird watching. If you head here by car, be prepared for an adventurous drive – some sections are quite challenging, but the views are definitely worth it.
In the park, you can also discover Boca Slagbaai, a beautiful bay with turquoise water where you can refresh yourself after exploring the surroundings.
Wild and dark south
One of the most iconic sights on Bonaire are the huge salt pans that stretch along the southern coast. These salt pans are still active, and salt production is one of the oldest industrial activities on the island. You will often see pink flamingos around them, which have their natural breeding grounds here.
Near the salt pans, you will also find the Old Slave Huts, historic houses where slaves who worked in the salt mines lived in the past. Whether you like history or not, this is a place you should visit. To this day, the houses still show the harsh conditions in which slaves lived and allow you to better understand a dark part of Bonaire’s history.
And you should definitely head to the island’s oldest lighthouse, which is just a few minutes’ drive from the Old Slave Huts, Salt Pier and Pink Beach
Where to stay on Bonaire?
While its capital, Kralendijk, is small, it is full of colour. Here you’ll find pastel-coloured houses, cosy cafés and excellent restaurants.
If you want to explore the whole island, be sure to stay somewhere close to the capital or near Te Amo Beach. You’ll be within a stone’s throw of everywhere, and you’ll also have somewhere to eat. Don’t expect any services in the south, north or west of the island. We hardly came across any restaurants at all, and not even just a cafe. Everything is concentrated around the town . If you rent a car, don’t live in the centre. You won’t have anywhere to park.
Somehow, we didn’t see bus traffic, but I don’t feel like we met even one bus. So don’t rely on this form of transportation. You certainly won’t be able to get to the more remote places within a 20-minute drive of the city.
Discover authentic Caribbean
Bonaire is an island where you can still feel the authentic atmosphere of the Caribbean – no crowded resorts, just quiet beaches, untouched nature and an amazing underwater world. Whether you come here for adventure or relaxation, the island is sure to captivate you with its unique beauty.
If you’re looking for a place where you can truly unplug from stress and discover nature in its purest form, Bonaire is the right choice. Our only regret is that we only came to the island for 4 days – it wasn’t enough. Every beach, every place we visited was unique and engraved in our hearts. We were even more enchanted by the island than neighbouring Aruba – and it was beautiful.
