Bonaire Travelers Recommend

On a small island like Bonaire, three days gives you plenty of time to explore the entirety of the island, spend time in the water, and even take a day trip to the neighboring island of Klein Bonaire for even more sun, sand, and sea. Here are some suggestions for how to spend three days in Bonaire.

Day 1: History and Heritage

There’s a lot to see on Bonaire, but its compact size means you can cover a lot of ground in as little as half a day. Kick off your trip with a tour of the island. Learn about one of its most important exports from the 1500s at the salt flats, visit the coastal slave huts where Dutch colonists once kept their enslaved workers, snap photos of flamingos on Goto Lake, and stroll the streets of historic Rincon and downtown Kralendijk. In the afternoon, tour some of the island’s many caves or explore the former plantation land that now comprises Washington Slagbaai National Park. Keep an eye out for iguanas, blue lizards, and wild donkeys that roam the island. In the evening, dine on local specialties such as guiambo (okra and seafood soup), kabritu stoba (goat stew), or keshi yena (Edam cheese stuffed with meat).

Day 2: Sun, Sand, Sea

No trip to Bonaire would be complete without spending some time in the water—this is the Caribbean after all. The island is known around the globe for its exceptional scuba diving opportunities, so certified divers won’t want to miss a chance to strap on a tank and explore the reef. You don’t have to dive to see the colorful biodiversity of Bonaire National Marine Park: Simply don a snorkel mask and hop in the water. Snorkeling cruises take visitors to some of the best spots around the island, and active travelers might want to consider a tour that combines kayaking and snorkeling in Bonaire’s protected mangrove forests. In the afternoon, continue your aquatic adventures with a private kitesurfing lesson, or try a different kind of sailing—landsailing.

Day 3: Klein Bonaire

The uninhabited islet of Klein Bonaire sits just off the western shore of mainland Bonaire. This low-lying island only rises about 6 feet (2 meters) out of the water. A leisurely day trip here gives you the chance to bask on No Name Beach (one of the best in Bonaire) or go swimming and snorkeling above the shallow reefs just offshore. If you’d prefer to see the reef without getting wet, opt for a glass-bottom boat tour to learn about the different species found in the national marine park. End your day—and your adventures in this little corner of the Caribbean—with a romantic sunset sail. See the coast of the island while you sip cocktails and snack on tapas as the sun dips below the horizon.

Bonaire, a small desert island in the Caribbean, ranks among the best places on the planet for scuba diving and snorkeling. Even if you prefer to stay above the surface of the water, this island is packed with outdoor adventures and cultural appeal. Here’s how to spend the ultimate 24 hours on Bonaire.

Morning: Island Sightseeing

While Bonaire’s beaches are certainly beautiful, those who can pull themselves away from the sand and sea for a morning exploring the island will be rewarded. Most sightseeing tours on Bonaire begin in Kralendijk and venture across the island to see the piles of pink salt at the salt pans, pink flamingos of Goto Lake, the historic town of Rincon, and the seaside huts that once served as slave quarters during the mid-19th century. If you’re feeling like stretching your legs, opt for an electric bike tour of the island’s south side.

Afternoon: Aquatic Adventure

Beat the Caribbean heat by hitting the water. Spend the afternoon on a snorkeling and sailing excursion through Bonaire National Marine Park to observe some of the 340 species of tropical fish that live along the beautiful reef. If you’re scuba certified, consider joining a guided dive. It’s also possible to combine two aquatic adventures, kayaking and snorkeling, into a single excursion as you paddle your way through the protected mangrove forests of the island. Keep an eye out for sea turtles, flamingos, and pelicans along the way.

Night: Sunset Sail

As the sun begins to sink toward the horizon, hit the water once again for a romantic sunset sail on the blue waters around Bonaire. Board a sailboat for a cocktail and tapas as the sun sets, or opt for a full gourmet barbecue at sea as you cruise around the island. Either option makes for the perfect end to a perfect day for couples, families, and groups of friends.

The small uninhabited island of Klein Bonaire sits just off the coast of Bonaire within Bonaire National Marine Park. Water visibility around the island is typically excellent, making it a popular destination for snorkeling, scuba diving, or simply playing Robinson Crusoe in the sand. Here’s how to get to the island from Kralendijk.

By Water Taxi

The most popular way to get to the isolated island, particularly for independent or budget-conscious travelers, is by water taxi. The 20-minute boat ride departs from the pier in Kralendijk, dropping passengers off on the sands of No Name Beach. This option lets you spend as much or as little time as you like on the island, swimming, snorkeling, or simply soaking up the sun. 

By Dutch Sloep

For the ultimate flexibility, rent a traditional Dutch sloep to explore the shores of Klein Bonaire at your own pace. These boats are easy to handle, so they’re a great option for boating newbies—no license required to become captain for a day. They hold up to six passengers for groups of friends or family. 

By Glass-Bottom Boat

The waters just off the coast of Klein Bonaire are home to a colorful and healthy coral reef. You don’t have to get wet to observe this diverse underwater ecosystem; just hop on a glass-bottom boat for a cruise through Bonaire National Marine Park. The crew onboard will narrate, and  those who want to hop into the water for a snorkel in the clear waters of Klein Bonaire will typically have an opportunity. 

On Snorkel or Scuba Trips

Much of the appeal of Klein Bonaire lies beneath the surface of the water. With a guided snorkeling or scuba diving tour, all the equipment and logistics will be taken care of for you, and local guides will take you to the best spots. Most tours include drinks and snacks onboard, whether you’re on a yacht, speedboat, or sailboat. 

The tiny Dutch island of Bonaire ranks among the best diving and snorkeling destinations in the Caribbean. The waters of the Bonaire National Marine Park feature 86 dive sites where more than 350 species of fish and 57 species of coral have been spotted. If you’re new to diving and snorkeling, these are some places to get your feet wet.

Andrea 1 & 2

With depths ranging from 20 to 100 feet (6 to 30 meters), these sister sites let snorkelers and inexperienced divers get close to a variety of anemones and soft corals and to spot seahorses and three types of large parrot fish. 

Salt Pier

The giant underwater pillars of Salt Pier can be accessed via shore entry, perfect for new divers. The maximum depth is just 50 feet (15 meters), and the encrusted pillars are covered with sponges and corals. It’s common to see large schools of fish congregating in the area.

Bari Reef

This easy shore dive has little current and calm waters, plus an impressive variety of fish—some 300 species have been surveyed here. On any given day, you might spot tarpon, seahorses, or octopuses hiding in the colorful reef.

Larry’s Lair

This dive site comprises two reefs, the first of which features a shallow plateau that gives way to a reef running down from 39 to 99 feet (12 to 30 meters). The dense vegetation offers hiding spots for abundant marine life, including duke fish and Spanish hogfish.

Klein Bonaire

The waters off the uninhabited island of Klein Bonaire teem with colorful life, even just steps from the beach. Many snorkeling and diving tours from the Bonaire mainland head here, making it a convenient option for those who want to spend a day in the water.

With two days to spend on the island of Bonaire, you’ll not only have plenty of time to get out on and into the clear waters that make the island famous, but also to explore the island itself and some of the land-adventure opportunities it offers. Read on for more on how to make the most of your 48 hours on Bonaire.

Day 1: Bonaire by Land

Morning: Get oriented and learn more about this Caribbean island’s history with a tour around Bonaire. A half day is more than enough time to see its major landmarks and attractions, including the towns of Kralendijk and Rincon, the sprawling salt flats, flamingo-filled Goto Lake, and some of the historic structures where Dutch colonists once kept slaves.

Afternoon: Stay on dry land this afternoon with one of many outdoor adventures. Explore Washington Slagbaai National Park on a guided 4WD tour of its beaches and plantations; take a quick lesson in landsailing and feel the wind in your hair as you zip across the ground in a 3-wheel Blokart; or go underground with a cave tour on the northern side of the island.

Night: Despite its small size, Bonaire enjoys a diverse dining scene with influences from around the Caribbean and the globe. Look for a restaurant serving local specialties like keshi yena (a cheese stuffed with meat) or kabritu stoba (goat stew). Wash it down with some Caribbean rum or a cold Dutch beer.

Day 2: Bonaire by Sea

Morning: This morning, find out what brings travelers from around the world to this little corner of the Caribbean: its diving and snorkeling. Sail or kayak through the waters of Bonaire National Marine Park for a chance to spot some 340 species of tropical fish swimming along the colorful reef.

Afternoon: Bonaire is famous for its diving, but you might not know that it’s also an excellent kitesurfing spot. This afternoon, learn the basics from your own private instructor with the newest equipment. For something a bit more low-key, head to the leeward coast of the island for some sunbathing or swimming.

Night: To polish off a day spent enjoying the clear waters of Bonaire, head out on the water for a sunset cruise. Opt for a sailboat, where you can sip mojitos and snack on tapas, or board a glass-bottom boat for views of both the setting sun and the reef just below the surface of the water.

Experienced divers know that the tiny Dutch island of Bonaire is home to some of the best diving in the Caribbean, if not the entire world. With nearly 90 dive sites to choose from in Bonaire National Marine Park, it can be hard to narrow it down. Here are a few of the best dive sites for experienced scuba divers.

Hilma Hooker

This internationally famous wreck dive, accessible from a boat or the shore, lies at a depth of 60 to 100 feet (18 to 30 meters). The entire wreck has been transformed into an artificial reef teeming with marine life—it’s a must for those comfortable with diving into deeper waters. Certified wreck divers can even explore inside the sunken vessel. 

Nukove

This dive site is home to some of the most pristine corals anywhere in Bonaire. Larger fish species often visit the waters, where experienced divers can descend from 15 to 100 feet (5 to 30 meters).

Red Slave

Named after the set of former slave huts visible onshore on the southern end of the island, this challenging dive site rewards experienced divers with the chance to spot turtles, horse-eye jacks, and schools of baitfish, bigeye scad, and larger predatory fish. 

White Hole

This gem of a dive site sits off Bonaire’s east coast, known as the ‘wild side’ for its choppy waters. This sandy pit is surrounded by reef walls on all sides, where it’s common to see schools of tarpon, a nurse shark here and there, and green sea turtles swimming among the corals. 

The Forest

Those comfortable with drift diving shouldn’t miss the Forest. Since the site is adjacent to open water, it’s not uncommon to see sea turtles and large barracuda, as well as plenty of reef fish and the occasional moray eel. The current begins to pick up speed as you drift toward Southwest Corner.