7 places you must visit when you go to Bonaire

7/3/2023

Destination ■
The Caribbean island of Bonaire is blessed with a unique natural beauty and is known for its serene tranquility and impressive underwater world. It's a true paradise for divers and snorkelers, but there is also a lot to do for non-divers and ecotourists.

BY HANAN, 3 minutes read

Captain Don's Habitat. Credits Glenaki.

Do you want to go to the sun or are you looking for ideas for your bucket list? Here are the 7 places that you should not miss when you go to Bonaire.

01 ■

The best dive spots in the world

Bonaire has one of the highest concentrations of the best dive spots in the world and with more than 60 marked shore dives, it has been referred to as the "shore-diving capital of the world". The island is known for its breathtaking underwater world, untouched coral reefs, beautiful tropical fish and other colourful sea life.

Diver jumping in the sea. Credits Tourism Bonaire.

02 ■

The Pekelmeer Flamingo Sanctuary

Bonaire attaches great importance to the protection of fauna and flora. That is why Pekelmeer Flamingo Sanctuary is one of only four areas in the world where flamingos can reproduce naturally. The pink salt lake owes its pink colour to the abundance of tiny rosy brine shrimp present in the water. More than ten thousand flamingos are at home here.

Flamingos in the sea. Credits Tourism Bonaire.

03 ■

Snow in the Caribbean

Do you want to see a snowy landscape on a tropical island? Then visit the salt pyramids! Bonaire has been the largest salt exporter in the Caribbean for centuries with 400,000 tonnes per year. The sun, wind and shallow salt lakes by the sea provide the ideal combination. Seawater is brought into the shallow salt pans, evaporated by the bright sun and the ever-roaring trade winds, and eventually salt remains.

Salt pyramids. Credits Tourism Bonaire.

04 ■

Klein Bonaire

Why would you visit one Bonaire when you can visit two? Klein Bonaire is just a short boat ride from the main island. This beautiful uninhabited island has an area of approximately 6 square kilometers and is blessed with beautiful white beaches that also form the breeding grounds for sea turtles. It's heaven on earth.

The island of Klein Bonaire. Credits Tourism Bonaire.

05 ■

A natural light show you've never seen before

Two or three days after the full moon, 45 minutes after sunset, a special phenomenon can be seen on Bonaire for 20 minutes. The ostracods rise in large numbers from the depths to the reef for an impressive luminous mating show. This phenomenon is called bioluminescence. You can see it from the beach, but it's even more impressive if you go for a night dive.

Luminous mating show from the ostracods. Credits Diveprice.com.

06 ■

Stay in an ecological paradise

Captain Don's Habitat, founded in 1976 by renowned underwater environment activist Captain Don Stewart, has pioneered the environmentally friendly developments on the island of Bonaire. His vision is also reflected in the design of the resort. Every detail is designed to have the least impact on the local environment; from the low impact of construction methods to the use of solar boilers and energy-saving devices. The resort is set in a lush tropical garden, right on the beach and is known for its relaxed atmosphere and is a true paradise for divers. From the resort's private dock, you can sail to more than 50 world-class dive sites within 15 minutes.

Captain Don's Habitat www.habitatbonaire.com

Captain Don's Habitat. Credits Glenaki.

07 ■

Enjoy a sunset dinner at the best Caribbean restaurant on the island

The popular Rum Runners restaurant and cocktailbar is located right on the ocean, in one of the most amazing places on Bonaire, opposite the uninhabited island of Klein Bonaire. The menu includes local dishes, sophisticated snacks, fresh fish, seafood, quesedillas or pizza baked in the wood oven. Don't forget the impressive cocktail menu to enjoy the sunset even more.

Rum Runners www.rumrunnersbonaire.com

Lunch Rum Runners. Credits Glenaki.

If you're looking for a unique vacation spot that's off the beaten path, Bonaire is definitely worth considering. From the stunning natural beauty of the island's coral reefs to the vibrant local culture, there's plenty to see and experience here that you won't find anywhere else. Whether you're intrested in exploring historic landmarks or trying out new water sports, Bonaire has something to offer for everyone. So why not take the plunge and plan your next adventure on this hidden gem of an island? You won't regret it.

Tourism Bonaire www.tourismbonaire.com

Hanan
Always curious about life, culture and people

Hanan: text • Various: photo • Glenaki: press release • 9 November 2020, updated 7 March 2023

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