Bonaire Travel Guide

Bonaire practically sits on a coral reef, with copious easy-access dive and snorkeling sites around both the island and nearby Klein Bonaire. Yellow stones mark the over 60 dive sites throughout the island. Going to a particular dive site is as simple as tossing your kit into a rental pick-up, driving till you locate the desired site, and then paddling out (note: water entry can be difficult; wear booties). The water surrounding the island is part of the Bonaire Marine Park, which was founded over 20 years ago and serves to keep the island's aquatic ecosystem in pristine condition.
The island's geographic composition is mostly arid, with a scarce few "tropical" beaches. Klein Bonaire (which is assessible via sea kayak or boat taxi) and Sorobon Beach (a public beach where Bonaire Windsurf Place is based--which is right next to a private, fenced-off nude beach and resort) are a few evergreen exceptions. Other stretches of sand pop up periodically, particularly after a rain storm.
Spot iguanas sunning themselves on desert rock and hot-pink flamingoes on the sandy flats.
Catch sight of flamingoes and parrots at Washington-Slagbaai National Park.
Bonaire's only professional athletes are windsurfers, for good reason. The water off Sorobon Beach is about two feet deep, with near-constant winds, the perfect place to learn--and perfect--one's windsurfing skills. Those who really want to tear aross the flat water should visit from December to August, when winds are strongest.
Bonaire's Dutch connections are visible everywhere--especially on the streets, where locals intermingle with blond-haired, blue-eyed Netherlands expats.
Compared to Curacao and Aruba, Bonaire doesn't have much nightlife. But Dutch hangouts like Little Havana and City Cafe offer a few later-night options.

Unspoiled Bonaire is only gently touched by development. Although your options range from bird-watching to doing nothing, Bonaire is foremost a scuba diver's delight and also offers some of the Caribbean's best snorkeling. This sleepy island doesn't attract crowds and has none of Aruba's glitzy diversions except for a few small casinos with minor action. Instead, turquoise waters beckon travelers to discover colorful clouds of tropical fish. Come here for the diving, not the beaches. Read More

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