Snorkeling on Bonaire starts at the waterline. There’s no long boat ride out to the reef: on this small island in the Dutch Caribbean, coral, colorful fish and sea turtles are often just a few fin kicks from the beach. We’re Liezeth and Walter, and we’ve been out on this water since 2006. Here’s what we’ve learned: where to snorkel, how to meet the turtles without disturbing them, and whether to go on your own or with our crew.
Why snorkel on Bonaire
Bonaire is made for snorkeling: the reef starts right off the shore, the water is calm and clear, and all of it is protected. Since 1979, all the water around the island has been part of the Bonaire National Marine Park, managed by Stinapa, the island’s national parks foundation. That’s why the coral here is in a condition you won’t find in many places in the Caribbean anymore.
The west coast lies in the lee of the island, so the water there is remarkably calm. On a good day you can see about 30 meters (100 feet) ahead of you, and at around 27 °C (80 °F) the water is warm enough to stay in for hours without a wetsuit.
What you’ll see: parrotfish, angelfish, moray eels peeking out of the coral, schools of blue tang and, with a bit of luck, a ray. And of course the sea turtles.
No experience, no heavy gear, no long trip out: kids, grandparents and everyone in between can get onto the reef right from the boat or the beach. You can snorkel straight from shore, rent a boat and pick your own spots, or join one of the guided Bonaire snorkeling trips with our crew.
The best snorkel spots
The best snorkeling on Bonaire is around Klein Bonaire, but the main island has great reef right along its coast too. These are the spots we recommend most.
Klein Bonaire and No Name Beach
The small, uninhabited island just off Kralendijk is the snorkel spot of Bonaire: clear, shallow water, white sand and reefs full of life. The best-known spot is No Name Beach, a wide stretch of powdery white sand. You can only get there by boat, more on that below.
Eighteen Palms
Right next to Plaza Beach & Dive Resort, Eighteen Palms is a popular spot with easy access from the shore. It’s known for its varied marine life and beautiful coral formations. You have a good chance of spotting turtles and plenty of fish, and with a bit of luck even a ray.
1000 Steps
A well-known shore spot north of Kralendijk. You take a staircase down to the water and swim straight out to the reef. Good news for your legs: the name exaggerates.
Bachelor’s Beach
A small, quiet beach just south of Kralendijk. With a rental car you can combine it with other shore spots in one day.
Andrea I and II
Two neighboring spots along the west coast, with a long stretch of reef to swim along. They’re an easy trip with one of our rental boats.
The spot of the day
Wind and current decide where the snorkeling is best on any given day. Rent a boat from us and we’ll show you on the map where visibility is best that morning. That’s the upside of renting from people who are out on the water every day.
Getting to Klein Bonaire
Klein Bonaire is only reachable by boat. There’s no bridge and no harbor, and the crossing from Kralendijk takes about 10 minutes. That’s what keeps it so quiet. You have three ways to get there:
- Rent a boat and go at your own pace. No license needed, the renter must be 21 or older. Pick one of our Dutch sloeps or motorboats for a half or full day. We give you the map, the tip of the day and a quick explanation of the yellow mooring buoys. See our rental boats.
- Sail with us. On our Sail, Snorkel & Dinner Tour the captain sails to the best snorkel spot of the day, often at Klein Bonaire. The gear is on board, the crew snorkels with you, and afterward there’s an all-inclusive BBQ with open bar as the sun goes down. It departs Harbour Village Marina at 2:30 pm on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 4.5 hours, $115 per person, kids $85. Coming in on a cruise ship? Tell us which ship when you book and we’ll help with the timing. Want the boat to yourselves? Our Private Charter takes up to 14 guests.
- Take the water taxi. It runs from the Kralendijk waterfront to No Name Beach. Fine for a few hours on the beach, but you’ll be at the busiest spot, on fixed times.
A few tips from our crew for Klein Bonaire:
- Around No Name Beach the current is usually gentlest, the best start for beginners.
- Swim along the edge where the shallows drop off into deeper water. That’s where you’ll see the most life.
- Bring your own shade: there’s none on the island itself.
More in our Klein Bonaire guide.
Snorkeling with sea turtles
Yes, you have a good chance of snorkeling with sea turtles on Bonaire. The island is a haven for sea turtles and one of the best places in the Caribbean to meet them in the wild. Green turtles and hawksbills are here all year, grazing on seagrass, resting under coral ledges or coming up for air. Loggerheads are rarer and stay deeper.
Nobody can guarantee a sighting, they’re wild animals. But many of our guests meet one, especially around Klein Bonaire.
Sea turtles are protected by law on Bonaire. A few simple rules keep every encounter good for them and for you:
- Keep at least 3 meters (10 feet) away, and never chase a turtle or swim right on top of it
- Don’t touch anything: not the turtles, not the coral
- Don’t feed them
- Move slowly and calmly. A turtle needs to reach the surface to breathe, and sudden movements scare it off
Be a quiet guest in their home and let the turtle decide how close it comes. More tips in our blog Snorkeling on Bonaire with turtles: what to expect.
Beginners and kids
You don’t need any experience to snorkel on Bonaire, and it’s a great activity for kids. The reef starts in shallow, clear water, so you see plenty from the surface.
New to snorkeling? Start in shallow, calm water, practice breathing through your snorkel, and only then head deeper. Keep an eye out for boat traffic and currents, and stay close to your group.
Not a strong swimmer? Wear a flotation vest, and choose a guided snorkeling trip over going alone. On our Sail, Snorkel & Dinner Tour you get a short explanation, the gear, and if you like, a full-face mask and a float. The boat stays at anchor and the crew gets in the water with you, so even on your first time you’re in good hands.
With kids? On the tour kids pay $85, we have life vests and floats in every size, and the crew keeps an extra eye on them. Every rental boat has life vests for everyone, and our Yellow Sloep seats 8 and makes it easy to get in and out of the water. Either way, keep young kids within arm’s reach.
The Stinapa Nature Tag
Everyone who goes into the water around Bonaire needs a Stinapa Nature Tag, snorkelers included. The tag, also called the Nature Fee, is required by law and pays for managing the Marine Park.
- Buy it online only, at stinapa.bonairenaturefee.org
- Children 11 and under are exempt
- Sort it out before your day on the water: you can’t buy one on the boat
- Bring it with you on the day
Inside the Marine Park, a few rules apply to everyone. Don’t touch anything underwater and don’t stand on the coral. Take nothing out of the sea, not even shells. Don’t feed the fish. And boats tie up only at the yellow mooring buoys, because anchoring on the reef damages coral that takes decades to recover. More on our Marine Park page and in our rules on the water.
What to bring
A day of snorkeling on Bonaire doesn’t take much. This is the list we give our own guests:
- Your Nature Tag, bought online (see above)
- Mask, snorkel and fins. On our sailing tours we provide the gear, including full-face masks for easier breathing. Renting a boat? Snorkel gear is available on request, and if you have a mask that fits you perfectly, bring it along
- Reef-safe sunscreen, applied well before you swim, or a rash guard
- A cap or hat, water, a towel and a camera. A GoPro or a waterproof phone case is perfect for the reef
- Food and drinks with ice if you rent a boat; the cooler on board is free to use
With the breeze on the water, the sun feels gentler than it is, so reapply often. More practical tips on our good to know page.
When to go
You can snorkel on Bonaire all year round. The island lies outside the hurricane belt, the water stays around 27 °C (80 °F), and the turtles are here in every season.
Mornings are often calmest, with smooth water and the best light on the reef. A morning half-day rental, 9 am - 1 pm, fits that perfectly. At Klein Bonaire, weekdays are quieter than weekends. Around midday the water taxi and dive boats gather at the most popular spots, so with your own rental boat you simply pick a buoy a little further along. That’s the big advantage of going on your own: you decide where you tie up and how long you stay.
Not sure what suits you? Send us a WhatsApp, we’re happy to help.
