Bonaire is the sunniest corner of the Netherlands. The island is part of the Caribbean Netherlands: home to thirty thousand people in the southern Caribbean, outside the hurricane belt, with sunshine all year, a steady trade wind and seawater of around 27 °C (80 °F). You pay in US dollars, most people speak Dutch and plenty of English, and the atmosphere is every bit as relaxed as it sounds.
We’ve been looking at this island from the water every day since 2006, and honestly: that view never gets old.
Why everyone comes for the water
Bonaire is world famous for what lies below the waterline. Since 1979, all the water around the island has been protected as the Bonaire National Marine Park. You’ll see the result the moment you put on a mask: healthy coral reefs, tropical fish in every color and sea turtles that thrive here.
What makes it special is how close it all is. The reef starts right off the shore, the water is calm and clear, and you can reach the best spots in less than half an hour by boat. That’s why everything here revolves around the sea: snorkeling, diving, sailing, or simply spending a day floating in a bay you have all to yourself.
Klein Bonaire
Off the coast of Kralendijk, the island’s capital, lies Klein Bonaire (“Little Bonaire”), an uninhabited islet with white sand and reefs that rank among the most beautiful in the Caribbean. You can only get there by boat, and that’s exactly why it has stayed so quiet. Read all about Klein Bonaire: how to get there, what you’ll see and where to snorkel.
More than just the sea
Above the water, the island has plenty of character too. In the south you’ll find the bright white salt pans with their pink lakes and flamingos; in the north, the green, hilly Washington Slagbaai National Park. Kralendijk itself is a laid-back harbor town with colorful facades, good restaurants and a waterfront boulevard where you can watch the sun sink into the sea in the evening.
Good to know for your trip:
- Climate: 28 to 32 °C (82 to 90 °F) all year, little rain, always a breeze. Every month is a good month.
- Getting there: there are direct flights from Amsterdam; the trip takes about ten hours.
- Money: the US dollar is the official currency, and you can pay by card almost everywhere.
- Language: Dutch, Papiamentu and English mix effortlessly here, so you’ll get by fine in English.
Seeing Bonaire from the water
However you explore the island, the best view of Bonaire is from the sea. There are two ways to get it: join one of our sailing tours, or rent a boat and set your own course, no license needed. Before you head out, you’ll find all the practical details, from the mandatory Stinapa Nature Tag to the rules on the water, under Practical.
