Top Things to do in Bonaire
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Top 10 Things to do in Bonaire, Bonaire
Are there more flamingos than people on Bonaire? It's possible, and it's part of this unspoiled island's appeal. Bring your binoculars and your scuba gear to make the most of Bonaire's natural charms: more than 200 different species of birds live here, and the island itself draws divers from around the world to its reef-lined coast, a National Maritime Park.
Restaurants in Bonaire
1. Bonaire National Marine Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,610 reviews
Popular area that boasts countless dive sites, many reachable from shore, and more than 70 sites with boat moorings.
Reviewed By bunnybunch
The marine park is basically all the sea surrounding Bonaire and Klein Bonaire to a depth of 60m. The ability to access so many areas to snorkel just off shore is hard to find anywhere else. There are areas of coral damage but there are also areas of healthy coral. Most amazing is the variety of sea life- huge variety of fish, squid, octopus, turtles and each spot has different special things to see. It definitely made me want to learn to dive as some areas have deeper coral that was less ideal for snorkeling and better for diving but there were still plenty of places we were very happy snorkeling. We were there a week and didn't cover half the places we would have liked to, mainly because I was sick but we got to at least one place a day.
2. Mangrove Information Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,627 reviews
The Mangrove Information Center is an excursion center. Visitors to the center learn about the mangroves, one of the most unknown and most endangered environments on our planet. The Mangrove Information Center offers guided kayak and solar boat tours through the beautiful mangrove forest of Lac Bay on Bonaire's western coastline. Meet the enthusiastic and knowledgeable crew who will take you out on a guided tour by either kayak or solar boat. The center has single or double "sit-on-top" kayaks, easy to handle, especially for beginners. The solar boat has an electric-driven outboard so there's no noise and no pollution! Elly Albers
Reviewed By 579gabriellag
This tour was a fun outdoor activity. It was cool to kayak in the ocean and then go through the Mangrove tunnels and learn all about them. The guides were nice and helpful and we weren't a big group (8-10 people) The snorkelling was also fun because we could see all the fish in the roots of the Mangrove trees, the guide even stopped a few times to show us cool stuff like jellyfishes and sea cucumbers. Bring a shirt because it gets really hot and you can't bring your sunscreen with you.
3. Klein Bonaire
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 926 reviews
Surrounded by reefs, it's a popular picnic spot and jumping off point for dives.
Reviewed By 204richf - Park City, United States
For a fun experience try drift snorkeling off of Klein Bonaire, its a small island off of Bonarie. You will swim with schools of fish, turtles, and if your lucky a pod of dolfins as we did. WE used WOOdWIND and they were great!
4. Pekelmeer Flamingo Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 251 reviews
Salt water flats in southern Bonaire.
Reviewed By LaraKZ - Prague, Czech Republic
The trip to Pekelmeer is just breathtaking especially on a sunny day with the pink salt ponds on one side and so many shades of blue in the sea just cross the road. The southern lagoon gets yet other intriguing blue-green shades and if you are lucky to see flamingos they will do a wonderful color contrast with the water. It`s a place to stop and just take in all this color palet, part natural part man made. Recommend renting own transportation as the drive south is very scenic. Drive a bit further when the road turns east to see more of flamingos after you passed the yellow slave huts and the light house, than once the lagoon finishes recommend returning still on the west coast for the views or stops to snorkel. It`s a must see of the island for sure.
5. Salt Pier
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 306 reviews
Dive site that requires a local divemaster with Harbor Master's permission.
Reviewed By Tamaragw - The Netherlands, null
When there is no boat, go there for a great dive or snorkel experience. It is like stepping into an aquarium. In the shallows you will be able to see turttle's feeding on the see grass totally ignoring you while grassing. You will be able to see big tarpons, small schools of reef squid, green murray, barracuda and lot's of more nice fish. Easy to navigate
6. Lac Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,081 reviews
Mangroves and a small fishing village on the eastern part of the island.
Reviewed By selmaweisbein - Coral Gables, United States
we took a cab there from port terminal and told cab driver to come back to get us 3 hours later so we could go back to the ship. we were 12 people being that some were toddlers. great beach , wonderful sand and there is a nice bar, and facilities. no wifi. saw lots for dutch tourists there and overall was a great beach club to hang out as a private shore excursion. I think price for cab was per person.
7. Jibe City
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 484 reviews
Reviewed By 267nickd - Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Very good windsurfing gear, top notch service, great crew helping select sails and boards to match the conditions. We came here every day we were in Bonaire as the service was always great, our waiter at the Hang Out Beach Bar knew us by name and we had great service. On days that were super busy you can order your food and drinks at the bar and will deliver to your chair, it just depends how busy things get. The food quality was fantastic and the people were very nice. Great place to sail and relax in a safe on-shore wind, protected lagoon.
8. Donkey Sanctuary Bonaire
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,076 reviews
In 1993 Dutch Nationals, Marina Melis and her husband Ed Koopman, established a donkey sanctuary on Bonaire for sick, wounded and orphaned donkeys: Donkey Sanctuary Bonaire. The primary objective of Donkey Sanctuary Bonaire is to offer a sheltered, protected life to all the donkeys of Bonaire. Our information about the lives and experiences of donkeys is also raising awareness amongst the local community, schools and tourists. At this moment there are more than 400 donkeys living in Donkey Sanctuary Bonaire. They are provided with food, drinking water and medical care and have plenty of room and freedom. When a report arrives about a live wild donkey in distress, volunteers are sent to the rescue. Sick and wounded animals are nursed and, where necessary, a vet is called upon to give medical attention. Orphaned foals are raised with a baby bottle. All stallions that arrive at the sanctuary are castrated to avoid expansion of the numbers of donkeys in care. Once the animals are recovered, they are lucky enough to spend the rest of their lives lovingly cared for at Donkey Sanctuary Bonaire. In all the years Donkey Sanctuary Bonaire has been active, a lot has already been achieved. Hundreds of donkeys were saved from the streets in miserable condition and were given a safe life in the sanctuary. Too bad there were also many donkeys that suffered from so severe illness or injuries, that they could not be cured. Donkey Sanctuary Bonaire paid for these animals the cost of putting them to sleep by a vet, so at least they were released from suffering any longer.
Reviewed By DVMDV8
Wonderful time amongst the donkeys! Only a few minutes from Kralendijk, easy access and a very good cause. These donkeys are friendly (you'll have many hungry noses in your car window) well-kept and well cared for. Marina is wonderful, knows who all the donkeys are and obviously loves her animals. We drove through and spent about 90 mins feeding them carrots and loving then. If you're in Bonaire, just go. Make a donation, buy some carrots and have fun. It's great and a good cause.
9. 1000 Steps
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 129 reviews
Reviewed By NevadaBeachBum - Reno, United States
Beautiful spot. Coral beach not too much sand. Off road parking available. Good snorkeling right off the beach. Steep stairs to the beach, but not 1000.
10. Ocean Oasis Beach Club
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 87 reviews
An oasis of pure tranquility & relaxation at it's finest. A shabby chic beach club at the southern-tip of Bonaire where tip-top ambiance, exquisite food & superb cocktails blend together offering a sublime retreat.
Reviewed By Claudia_vanderV - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Wonderful day of relaxing at the beach club. The service is outstanding, friendly staff. The beach beds are so comfortable that you can stay all day. Nice under a parasol or Palappa, get tanned unnoticed in the shade (use sunscreen!(. The beach beds come with a towel, bottle of mineral water and a fruit salad. Regularly someone asks if you want to eat or drink something, without being intrusive. We enjoyed!
