Top Things to do in Bonaire
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What to do and see in Bonaire, Bonaire: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
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. Aletta's Goat Farm
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 61 reviews
Reviewed By Sometimessara - Selbyville, United States
While my husband was off diving one morning, I took the opportunity to head to Aletta’s for a tour. When I arrived Aletta was surprised to have a solo visitor and explained she didn’t have any help that day but I was welcome to tag along while she tended the goats. She was in the middle of milking and let me have a go at it as well. I’m sure I was a tad annoying, peppering her with questions, but I learned a lot about what it takes for her to operate the goat farm. After the bulk of the morning chores were done, Aletta brought me under the canopy of a large tree and provided a tray of goat milk, goat yogurt, goat cheese and lemon balm iced tea for me to try. Wow! The goat dairy products taste far better fresh than store bought! The goats were in the yard at this point and one particular goat took a fancy to me. Aletta shared her plans for the permaculture she envisions at the farm. She told of the challenges and accomplishments she’s experienced thus far. I was truly impressed with her conservation efforts and how she works with other businesses on the island to reduce not only her overhead, but island waste. Being around goats makes your heart smile and mine was smiling exceptionally big by the time I departed, with a jar of goat cheese of purchased to enjoy with my husband. I will definitely come back next year, with my husband so he can experience it as well.
4. Bonaire Museum of Natural History
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
The Bonaire Museum of Natural History is situated in a beautiful town house, dating back to 1885 and once owned by an influential plantation family. The museum shows some of the highlights of Bonaire like flora and fauna, old tools, ancient indian artefacts, shells, beach finds, corals and more.
Reviewed By BTDavey - Jensen Beach, United States
The owner is a super nice guy who talked to us and shared the history of the island for the entire time we were there. He has tons of local knowledge and is really passionate about what he is doing.
5. 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!
6. Gotomeer
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 240 reviews
Great place to visit at sunset to watch the daily take-off of flamingos to Venezuela.
Reviewed By 27claudettec - Washington, United States
This was part of a recent cruise ship excursion and our number one must see. We got to see these beautiful birds in their natural habitat. Getting pictures from a bus was challenging though.
7. Lac Cai
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 63 reviews
Very pretty beach on a lagoon off the southeast coast.
Reviewed By 124curth - Golden Valley, United States
The north side of Lac Bay has this quaint little spot that's not very crowded. Very relaxing on the nice beach and calm waters.
8. 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.
9. 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
10. Mount Brandaris
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
Near the northwestern shore, the peak is a good place to take in the sweep of the island and the curve of the Caribbean horizon.
Reviewed By ThomasKuehn - Neukirchen-Vluyn, Germany
Hot, Height and Climbing are the three main things to mention about the peak of Bonaire. Good shoes, water and surefootedness is all you need to get on the top. If there, you habe a wonderful view on Bonaire. Plan about 2 hours for ascent and descent and of course the time you need to drive within the Washington Slaagbay National Park
