Bonaire is a beautiful island that relative to it’s sister islands (Aruba and Curacao), is less developed making it a more pristine and tranquil experience.
To be honest, Bonaire is NOT what most people expect. There are assumptions people have about this island like
- The only thing to do is scuba dive (wrong)
- Since it’s on a grid with water you can drink from the tap, there must be built up roads (there’s not)
- It must be big resort like hotels or rustic huts only (there is A LOT inbetween)
And so much more!
Read on for things that surprise many people about this island that will help you to know what to expect and plan your trip.
Where is Bonaire Located?
Bonaire, a hidden gem of the Caribbean, is a charming island located off the northern coast of South America, near the western part of Venezuela.
It’s part of the Dutch Caribbean, formerly known as the “Netherlands Antilles”, and together with its neighboring islands Aruba and Curaçao, they form the trio that is often referred to as the “ABC Islands”.
Specifically, Bonaire is situated approximately 50 miles east of Aruba and 30 miles from Curaçao. The island’s location outside of the hurricane belt, making it a safe destination year-round, is a draw for travelers.
Getting into Bonaire by Plane
Getting to Bonaire is a relatively smooth process. The island has its own international airport, Flamingo International Airport (BON), which accepts flights from several major cities across the globe, including Amsterdam, Miami, and Houston.
If you’re coming from a location without a direct flight, you may have to catch a connecting flight through one of these hubs or from nearby Caribbean islands. In terms of maritime access, Bonaire’s port city, Kralendijk, is a popular stop for many cruise lines traversing the southern Caribbean, providing another convenient way to reach this tropical paradise.
What Activities Are There To Do in Bonaire?
What are the top things to do in Bonaire is one of the top questions people ask. Against popular belief, Bonaire is not just for divers! Here are just a FEW of the ideas of things that you can do in Bonaire aside from scuba diving:
- Caving
- See the donkey sanctuary
- Explore and hike in the National Park
- Snorkeling
- Kayak in the mangroves
- Hangout at the beach clubs
- Landsailing
You can read more about these experiences in the full blog post by clicking here!
What’s unique about the mangroves is it’s also an amazing place to SNORKEL. Take a quick peek at what this experience is like in this instagram reel!
Do you have to be a scuba diver to visit Bonaire?
Short answer? No. But you DO need to like being around the ocean or having outdoor adventures.
Bonaire offers a wide range of activities for all types of travelers, but getting in the water is a MUST.
Want to SEE a ton of ideas of things to do when NOT scuba diving? Checkout the video below!
Find more hidden gems with Mount!
Mount helps connect travelers with hidden gems around the world. While traveling Bonaire, I discovered several unique experiences through Mount. Be a smart traveler and more about them today!
Visit the National Park on the North Side of Bonaire Island
What else is there to do? The National Park!
For nature lovers, bird watching, especially flamingos, and exploring the Washington Slagbaai National Park are popular activities.
Watch the full video below or checkout the blog post to learn more.
Learn to Windsurf on Bonaire Island
The island is also a hotspot for windsurfing. My favorite place to get lessons is at Jibe city and they offer much more than just wind surfing (kayaking, SUP and events at their beach bar).
What’s amazing about learning here, is the winds are consistent, the water is shallow and unlike places like Zanzibar, there are NO SEA URCHINS. This means if you fall off your board it’s very easy to get back up and keep going.
Ever wanted to kite surf or kite board? This is definitely your spot for it. Bonaire has awesome wind especially on the Southern part of the island. Even going as a spectator, I spent an hour just staring at all the colorful kites.
Want more ideas of things to do? Read more in this blog post or checkout the video below!
What Languages are Spoken on Bonaire Island?
The official language of Bonaire is Dutch, but the most commonly spoken language on the island is Papiamento, a unique Creole language that blends elements of Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, English, and African languages.
However, due to Bonaire’s status as a popular tourist destination, English and Spanish are also widely understood and spoken by locals.
What is Food Like on Bonaire?
Bonaire offers a blend of Caribbean and international cuisines, with fresh seafood playing a big role in many dishes. The island also has several highly rated restaurants.
Want to read more about some of the top places to eat? Check out the full blog post here!
Where to See Beautiful Views on Bonaire
Bonaire is beautiful and my recommendation for getting the best views: head to the East side of the island for sunrise at Sorobon. Then ANYWHERE on the West side for sunset.
A bonus? The Salt Pier or anywhere near it has amazing sunset views because there is no light pollution. It’s in an area where there is no development, so you don’t have anything around except the views.
Checkout the short video below for some of the best underwater (and over water, aerial views) of Bonaire!
What Are Roads like on Bonaire?
People commonly ask if it’s hard to drive around Bonaire.
There aren’t a lot of them and even Queen’s Highway is a single road that traffic going in both directions needs to move aside for each other. However, driving here is relatively easy. They drive on the right side of the road, but if you rent a car (which you MUST do in advance), get ready for a stick shift ride!
Insider tip: RENT YOUR TRUCK IN ADVANCE. They tend to sell out.
Even though it’s a ONE way road all the way around, you may consider being CONNECTED while you’re out there. I always use eSIM cards like Sim Local to help me stay connected when I travel!
Want to SEE these roads? Checkout the video below!
Nearly 100 shore dive sites
There’s a lot. And they are all super well marked with rocks painted yellow. Shore diving here really is amazing, they do a lot to preserve the reef, but DO NOT miss boat diving. The reef on the East Side is incredible. If you like turtles, you will see so many you won’t be able to keep count.
Also, if you’re not an experienced shore diver (I’m not), make sure you are physically fit and ready for it. Doing 2-3 dives a day can get really exhausting carrying all the gear along with the long walks and long swims to the dive site.
Want to read more about a helpful scuba diving guide? Checkout this post!
Quick tip!
When booking tours in Bonaire, it’s important to book ones with top traveler reviews and are easily refundable if travel plans change.
Bugs
There are a lot of bugs. Just FYI. You will be eaten alive by mosquitoes.
Want MORE things to expect (a total of 19)! Checkout the video below!
What’s the Weather Like on Bonaire Island?
Bonaire Island, nestled in the southern Caribbean, is blessed with a remarkably pleasant climate year-round, making it an ideal destination for travelers.
The island enjoys a tropical, arid climate, which results in consistently warm temperatures averaging around 81°F (27°C). Bonaire’s weather is characterized by abundant sunshine and minimal rainfall, with most of the sparse precipitation occurring between October and January.
The trade winds, blowing steadily from the east, provide a refreshing breeze that moderates the heat, especially along the coast.
This constant breeze also makes Bonaire a world-renowned paradise for windsurfing and kitesurfing. The water temperatures are equally inviting, remaining warm throughout the year, perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and diving.
Overall, Bonaire’s climate is predictably sunny and dry, offering an idyllic setting for outdoor activities and beach relaxation any time of the year.
Bottom line
Bonaire is a beautiful island to visit that often catches it’s visitors with unexpected surprises. However, knowing what to expect (and not expect!) can help you to plan your trip accordingly to have the best time possible.