It is a flat, riverless island renowned for its dive spots. Its tropical climate is moderated by constant trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean.
The temperature is almost constant at about 27 degrees Celsius or 81 degrees Fahrenheit.
Politically, Bonaire is a special municipality fully integrated in the Netherlands proper.
Bonaire is an island in the Leeward Antilles in the Caribbean Sea. Together with Aruba and Curaçao, it forms the group known as the ABC islands, less than one hundred miles off the north coast of South America near the western part of Venezuela.
Unlike much of the Caribbean region, the ABCs lie outside Hurricane Alley. The islands have an arid climate, which helps tourism, as visitors to the islands can reliably expect warm, sunny weather.
Bonaire is a popular destination for scuba diving, and provides easy access from shore to its fringing reefs.
Bonaire's capital is Kralendijk. The island had a permanent population of 18,905 as of 1 January 2015, and an area of 294 km2 together with nearby uninhabited Klein Bonaire.
Bonaire was part of the Netherlands Antilles until the country's dissolution in 2010, when the island became a special municipality within the country of the Netherlands.
It is one of the three BES islands in the Caribbean, along with Sint Eustatius and Saba.
The earliest known inhabitants of Bonaire were the Caquetio people, who are believed to have come to Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao by canoe from Venezuela in about 1000 AD.
The first Europeans to arrive were Spanish colonizers around 1500.
The Spanish, the Dutch, the English, and the Portuguese each claimed control of Bonaire at various points over the next several hundred years, but generally Europeans took a relatively limited interest in the island and its people.
Bonaire's earliest known inhabitants were the Caquetio, a branch of the Arawak who came by canoe from Venezuela in about 1000 AD.
Archeological remains of Caquetio culture have been found at certain sites northeast of Kralendijk and near Lac Bay.
Caquetio rock paintings and petroglyphs have been preserved in caves at Spelonk, Onima, Ceru Pungi and Ceru Crita-Cabai.
The Caquetios were apparently a very tall people, for the Spanish name for the ABC Islands was las Islas de los Gigantes or the islands of the giants.
Bonaire lies about 50 miles (80 km) off the coast of Venezuela on the continental shelf of South America, and is thus geologically considered a part of the continent.
Geologists believe that Bonaire was formed relatively recently. As the nearby continental shelf now located near Montserrat, and the cause of the volcanic activity on that island, moved through the area.
It forced a large mass of rock to the ocean surface and created the islands of the Lesser and Greater Antilles, including Bonaire. As the sea bed rose a vast coral reef grew on what is now dry land.
These corals were eventually exposed to air and perished, becoming surface limestone deposits over the millennia.
Vast amounts of coral skeletons may be seen along the shoreline and across the interior of Bonaire.
The island is essentially a coral reef that has been geologically pushed up and out of the sea. This also resulted in the natural fringing reef system seen today, in which the coral formations start at the shoreline.
Tidal variations are only about 1.8–2.0 feet (55–61 cm), so the corals start at the low tide line and continue on, following the underwater topology of the island's base.
Bonaire's tides are more affected by a combination of wind and low/high pressure systems than by the moon.
The northern end of the island is relatively mountainous, although its highest peak is only 240 metres (790 feet). The southern part of the island is nearly flat and barely rises above sea level.
A significant portion of this southern region is covered with sea water in process of evaporation for salt production. This area also contains Lac Bay with its large mangrove forest.
The shoreline of Bonaire is dotted with lagoons and inlets, the largest of which is Goto Lake in the north. These lagoons and wetlands provide an excellent habitat for a wide variety of shorebirds.
Bonaire has a warm, dry though humid and windy climate. The average temperature is 81.5 °F (27.5 °C) with a 2.5 °F (1.4 °C) seasonal variation and 10 °F (5.6 °C) daily variation.
The ocean temperature around the island fluctuates between 78 and 86 °F (26 and 30 °C). The highest recorded temperature is 96.4 °F (35.8 °C) and the lowest, 67.6 °F (19.8 °C).
Nearly constant winds blow from the east with an average speed of 12 knots (22 km/h).
The humidity is very constant, averaging 76% and fluctuating between 85% and 66% on a daily basis. Average annual rainfall is 20.5 inches (520 mm), most of which occurs in October through January.
Bonaire lies outside the hurricane belt, though its weather and oceanic conditions are occasionally affected by hurricanes and tropical storms. This semi-arid climate is conducive to a variety of cacti and other desert plants.
Klein Bonaire, the small island in the sheltered lee of the Bonaire, has the same geological history. While Bonaire has some hills and variations in altitude, Klein Bonaire's surface is quite level and just a few feet above high tide.
Because the island is undeveloped, the fringing reef system surrounding Klein Bonaire is truly pristine. The smaller island is entirely ringed with dive sites.
Bonaire has a land area of 288 square kilometres (111 sq mi), while Klein Bonaire is an additional 6 km2 (2.3 sq mi).
Washington Slagbaai National Park is an ecological preserve on the north side of the island.
The highest point of Bonaire, Mount Brandaris, 240 m (790 ft) high is located within this preserve and has a complete view of the island.
Bonaire is fringed by a coral reef which is accessible to divers from the shore along the lee side of the island facing west southwest.
The entire coastline of the island was designated a marine sanctuary in 1979, an effort to preserve and protect the delicate coral reef and the marine life that depends on it.
There are more than 350 species of fish and sixty species of coral living in Bonaire's reef. Boulder Star Coral - Montastraea annularis is the most common coral, according to a 2011 survey.
Bonaire is also famed for its flamingo populations and its donkey sanctuary. Flamingos are drawn to the brackish water of the island's lagoons, which harbours the shrimp upon which they feed.
Bonaire is home to one of only four nesting grounds for the Caribbean flamingo. Located in the Pekelmeer in the southern part of the island, no human entry is permitted in this sanctuary.
In the 16th century, Europeans introduced sheep, goats, pigs, horses and donkeys on Bonaire, and the descendants of the donkeys, goats and pigs roam the island today.
Bonaire is also home to the ecologically vulnerable yellow-shouldered amazon parrot, Amazona barbadensis.
The island of Bonaire has long been a leader in nature conservation and ecological responsibility.
The national park foundation, Stichting Nationale Parken (STINAPA), was founded in 1962 for the purpose of actively protecting nature on the island.
In 1969 STINAPA succeeded in establishing both the flamingo nesting sanctuary and Washington National Park, the first such nature preserves in the Caribbean.
In 1979, the Slagbaai plantation was added to the park, now known as Washington Slagbaai National Park. The Bonaire National Marine Park was also established in 1979.
The Marine Park consists of the whole coastline of Bonaire from the high-water mark down to a depth of 200 feet (61 m) and includes a large mangrove forest in Lac Bay.
Lac Bay, Klein Bonaire, Pekelmeer, Slagbaii and Gotomeer are recognized as wetlands of international significance under the Ramsar Convention.
Due to a public-private sector partnership, programs are being developed to advance the local awareness and attitudes toward conservation and habitat preservation in order to proactively protect Bonaire's ecosystem.
A new sewage treatment plant will contribute to protecting the reefs and the seawater quality.
In March 2013 Selibon NV, the national garbage-processing plant, opened an environmental court where the general public can bring glass, cans, paper, scrap metal, cardboard, batteries, motor oil, cooking oil, electronics, mobile phones and textiles.
BonRecycling BV is committed to recycling waste products in Bonaire and to create awareness among the people of Bonaire about the importance and benefits of recycling.
Dive Friends Bonaire started a Debris Free Bonaire program that emphasises collecting debris washed ashore and delivering it to the dive shop for separation in preparation for handling by BonRecycling.
Bonaire gets a significant amount of its electricity from an array of twelve wind generators along its northeastern coastline which began operating in 2010.
This renewable source now fills 40-45% of the island's electricity needs.
Work continues in developing additional renewable sources of energy, including bio-diesel and solar, with the goal of becoming 100% reliant on renewables.
In 2011 the BES Islands replaced their currency, the Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG), with the US dollar rather than replacing it with the euro which is used in the European Netherlands.
The decision was based primarily on the islands' needs in relation to tourism and trade. Most countries and territories in the Caribbean use the dollar as their currency or have a currency linked to the dollar as legal tender.
Bonaire's economy is mainly based on tourism, taking advantage of its warm, dry climate and natural environment.
The island caters to scuba divers and snorkelers, as the surrounding coral reefs are well preserved and easily accessible from the shore.
Bonaire has been widely recognized for many years in the diving community as one of the world's best shore diving destinations.
Bonaire's Marine Park offers a total of 86 named dive sites, and is home to over 57 species of soft and stony coral and more than 350 recorded fish species.
Most resorts and hotels have an on-site dive shop, and other accommodations are affiliated with a dive operation.The license plates carry the logo Divers Paradise in English.
Lac Bay, in the southeastern part of the island, attracts wind surfers from around the world to Bonaire. The shallow Bay is on the windward side of the island, so trade winds are strong and constant.
A barrier reef across the mouth of the bay allows windsurfers of all skill levels to select wave conditions they like. Lac Bay is one of the stops in the PWA Windsurfing Freestyle World Cup and has hosted the Prokids IFCA Championship.
Five of the PWA's ten highest ranked freestyle windsurfers are from Bonaire: Kiri Thode, Amado Vrieswijk, Bjorn Saragoza, Tonky Frans and Taty Frans.
In the northern end of Lac Bay is one of the best preserved mangrove forests in the Caribbean, which is popular for kayaking and snorkeling.
Bonaire is also a port of call for more than fifteen cruise lines who make more than eighty calls per season at the island. The total passenger capacity for cruise ships in Bonaire is about 185,000.
Tourism infrastructure in Bonaire is contemporary and offers a variety of types of accommodations including hotels, full-service resorts, a few small bed and breakfasts and self-catering vacation rentals of all kinds.
Other tourist activities include kite-boarding, mountain-biking, hiking, sailing, charter fishing, boating and bird-watching. All-in-all tourist expenditures in Bonaire are estimated at $125 million per year.
Salt production. Utilizing the naturally low-lying geography and traditional Dutch dyke design, much of Bonaire's southern half has been made into a giant system of ponds and pools which evaporate seawater to produce salt.
Presently operated by Cargill, Bonaire's solar salt works produces 400,000 tons of industrial grade salt per year.
After collection, the salt is then washed and stored in large piles. The salt facility operates its own pier where ships are loaded with salt destined for North American, European and Western Pacific markets.
Bonaire's salt is used mostly in industrial roles.
The large condensing ponds which ring the crystallizer basins, called the Pekelmeer, are a natural habitat for numerous species of brine shrimp which in turn feed flocks of hundreds of pink flamingoes and other migratory birds.
This is the location of Bonaire's flamingo sanctuary.
Oil storage and shipment. The Bonaire Petroleum Corporation (BOPEC) is a fuel oil storage and transhipment terminal on Bonaire.
BOPEC is wholly owned by Venezuelan oil company PDVSA, and functions primarily as a storage facility for multiple grades of refined and non-refined oils from Venezuela and refineries on Curaçao and Aruba.
BOPEC also has mixing and blending capabilities for its stored fuels. BOPEC's #1 pier can receive tankers up to 500,000DWT, which means there are only seven ships in the world that are too big for the BOPEC terminal.
A fire at the BOPEC terminal in 2010 is believed to have had a significant impact on Goto Lake and at least one other nearby lagoon.
Bonaire's first airport was located near Tra'i Montaña Subi Blanku and crossed the current path of Kralendijk to Rincon and was built in 1936.
The airport proved to be too small when American soldiers arrived on Bonaire in the second half of 1943. The commander stated that a new airport had to be built.
Construction began in December 1943, with the new Flamingo Airport opening in 1945. A small terminal was built that was suitable for the number of passengers at the time. This building was used until mid-1976.
The airport had received many extensions of both the runway and the terminal itself.
Today the airport is known as Flamingo International Airport and is served by a variety of both domestic and international airlines. Services from the US include Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.
Airlines providing European service include TUI Netherlands and KLM. Consistent air service from Curaçao is available through Divi Divi Air and Insel Air.
The airport is equipped with a fire station, control tower and hangar. Plans are underway for modifications to the current airport facilities, runway and the fire station
The two towns on the island are Kralendijk the capital and Rincon.
Kralendijk has many suburbs and neighbourhoods, although on an island with such a small population, the distinction is not always clearcut. Kralendijk's suburbs or neighbourhoods include:
- Antriol
- Belnem
- Hato
- Lima
- Noord Salina
- Nikiboko
- Republiek
- Sabadeco
- Sabana
- Santa Barbara
- Tera Cora
- Fontein
- Lagoen
- Sorobon
- Spelonk
- Wanapa
Labra, Ishiri, Kokorobi, Jan Doran, Vlijt, Rigot, Porto Spano and Kunchi were several smaller towns that had existed in the national park, but were later abandoned.
Religion in Bonaire is predominantly Roman Catholic (68%) and there are Protestant minorities.
Dutch is the official language of Bonaire, as it is part of the Netherlands. However, Dutch is the sole language for all administration and legal matters.
According to the 2001 census, it is the main language of 8.8% of the population. The most widely spoken language is the creole language of Papiamento, which is the primary language of 74.7% of the populace and is recognized by the government.
Spanish is the main language of 11.8% of the people, English is the primary language of 2.8%, and other languages account for 1.8%. Bonaire is a polyglot society.
Most of Bonaire's population is able to converse in at least two of the languages of Papiamento, Dutch, English and Spanish.
The most popular sports on Bonaire are baseball, windsurfing, athletics, association football, tennis and volleyball.
The Bonaire Football Federation is a member of CONCACAF and the Bonaire Volleyball Federation is an associate member of NORCECA.
The Baseball teams play in the Caribbean region of Little league and Pony league. Bonaire was also confirmed as the 218th Table Tennis National association.
Tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation. Rainy season lasts from the last week of October to the end of January, but it is still relatively dry.
During rainy season, late night and early morning rains are common, usually clearing shortly after sunrise.
The island is flat especially the southern end with hills in the north. It is a dry island with little rainfall and the vegetation is typical of this climate.
There are few natural resources other than beaches, beautiful offshore reefs and the solar salt works. The northern part of the island is a protected park.
The southern tip of the island is a great field for sea salt production. Klein Bonaire is a small uninhabited island offshore.
Tourism is one of the major industries of the island, and 80% of visitors to the island come to scuba dive.
Bonaire is often considered the top best scuba dive destination in the Caribbean. The colorful coral reef that circles the island is lush and diverse, and its proximity to the island makes for spectacular and convenient shore diving.
The second major source of tourism on the island is cruise ship visitors whose boats dock for a single day and then depart at night.
With a local population of only 18 000, the visiting passengers of 3000 or 4000 person cruise liner have a significant influence on the island, particularly in downtown Kralendijk where the ships dock.
Bonaire has its own passport control stations to monitor visa requirements and entry and exit regulations.
Bonaire is politically and administratively a part of the Netherlands, but it is not part of the the Schengen Area, and therefore has different entry laws than the Netherlands.
Although Bonaire is part of the European Netherlands makeup, those living ouside the public bodies of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba have limited freedom to visit Bonaire.
Dutch nationals and citizens living outside the public bodies can visit Bonaire visa-free for 6 months. The Dutch identity card is not valid in Bonaire, instead the Identity card BES is required to enter Bonaire.
Visitors from dozens of countries can enter Bonaire visa free as a tourist. Cruise ship passengers also do not need visas.
Direct flights onto the island are available from the Netherlands with KLM, departing from Amsterdam, several US hubs, and Canada with Sunwing, departing from Toronto.
Smaller Caribbean airlines connect Bonaire to nearby islands. European and North American flights may offer tickets to Bonaire through code sharing with local airlines out of Curacao.
Caribbean airlines tend to be less reliable than larger commercial operations, so be prepared for unforeseen delays, changes, or cancellations.
Passengers arriving by plane will need to clear passport control before entering the airport. This may require waiting in line in the sun, so plan accordingly.
The airport itself is open air and not air conditioned. Does not have any restaurant or shopping facilities.
Bonaire is not publicly accessible by passenger ferries. It is possible to arrive via a chartered or private boat. Some Caribbean cruise lines stop for a day in Kralendijk.
Kralendijk is relatively small and can be easily navigated on foot. Those staying outside the centre or those wishing to explore the island will want to arrange for car rentals or motorized transportation.
Cars can be rented from the airport or through the office if you are staying at a hotel or managed property. Pick up trucks are common, as many visitors expect to drive off road in more remote areas of the island to reach dive sites.
Reserve in advance, as rental companies may be completely sold out during peak periods.
Drive on the right hand side in Bonaire like the US and most of Europe. Most cars including rentals have standard manual transmissions, not automatic ones.
Most frequently-visited areas of the island have paved roads, but watch out for potholes and narrow passing, particularly outside of the central areas.
Particularly at dusk or after dark, drive cautiously in case of animals such as dogs, donkeys, or goats entering the road unexpectedly.
There is an informal bus system on the island that utilises vans.
Bicycle transportation is not particularly common on Bonaire, but it is possible. There are no bike lanes and the roads are often narrow, but even on the major routes, speeds are fairy slow and motorists tend to give cyclists a wide berth.
Taxi vans are available to transport passengers and luggage as needed.
Scooters that are rented or owned, motorcycles, and even golf carts are quite common sights on the roads of Bonaire.
The official language of Bonaire is Dutch, but a local Creole called Papamiento is spoken fluently by most long time residents.
English and Spanish are also widely spoken. Some tourism staff speak English fluently, while others know only key words or phrases.
Attractions in Bonaire
- Wild Iguanas
- Disused Slave Shelters
- Washington-Slagbaai National Park
- Rock art
- Salt flats
- Flamingoes
Scuba Diving, if you went to Bonaire, you probably went to dive. Numerous packages and facilities cater to the least and most experienced divers. Even the standard issue local tourist map has dive sites clearly listed.
Most sites are accessible for shore diving, and a few can only be reached by boat. Designated dive sites are marked by a painted yellow rock with the name of the dive site.
Snorkeling, if you didn't go as a diver, or if you're visiting on a cruise ship, snorkelling is a fun, easy way to experience the underwater world of a coral reef.
You'll need a snorkel mask, a snorkel tube, and a pair of fins. You can bring your own or buy some from a local shop, but if you just want to try it out, guided tours are available that include basic instructions and equipment rentals.
Experienced snorkellers will find plenty of diverse sites to visit. Some have beach or ladder access, while others require entering and exiting over ironshore, so reef shoes are recommended.
Snorkellers require a permit which can be purchased from any local dive shop.
Reefs have rules to follow. Coral reefs are beautiful, but fragile ecosystems that can be easily damaged by novice or careless visitors.
The most important rule is not to touch, bump into, break, or especially stand on the coral. Not only can this permanently damage the reef, but it's also dangerous to you.
You could easily end up with a good scrape, and some corals and reef inhabitants are poisonous.
The best strategy to prevent any collision with the coral is to enter the water in an easy location, i.e. from a sandy beach or from a ladder and to only swim next to not above shallow water corals or to stick to deeper water where you won't accidentally bump the coral with your fins.
Fishing, Windsurfing, Kiteboarding, Mountain Biking, Sea Kayaking, Sailing, Bird Watching all these can be done in Bonaire.
The US Dollar is the official currency of Bonaire. Euros and other foreign currencies are not be accepted.
Bonaire is relatively expensive destination, particularly compared to cheaper and less developed islands in the Caribbean.
Expect to pay more for accommodations e.g. $200-250 for a basic hotel room for two or four adults that might typically cost $100 in the US or Europe.
Dining e.g. $20-25 for a basic restaurant meal that might cost $15 in a similar establishment in the US or Europe.
Groceries are comparable or only somewhat more expensive than in the US and Europe.
All regular essential items food, clothing, souvenirs, etc are available for purchase on Bonaire.
There are a number of large grocery stores on island that stock all the products typically available in American and Dutch shops.
Bonaire has many restaurants and quite varied cuisine given the overall island population.
Aki ta Bende Kuminda Krioyo will inform a visitor that local-style food is available, generally heavy on soups, stews, fried foods and fish.
Traditional foods that may be found on the menu include conch, cacti, wahoo and rock lobster. Much of the fish is caught locally by line fishermen in season.
Bonaire has no real fast food, though there is the smallest KFC franchise outlet in the world in a shopping plaza by the Kralendijk and a Subway sub shop. Check out Swiss Chalet, a local favorite serving Fondu.
Bobbejan's is an extremely popular weekend-only barbecue joint. Other cuisines common on the islands are Argentine, Italian, Indonesian, Suriname, and lots and lots of Chinese.
Island-made ice cream is available in many places, with Lovers Ice Cream being a local favorite. Arrive before noon, as they often sell out.
Almost all eateries are open for limited hours during the day, and all close briefly during siesta time between 2-3pm.
Call or check ahead to determine if a restaurant is open for lunch, dinner, both, or only open on weekends. Some are closed certain days of the week, such as Sunday.
Bonaire has a notable lack of night life, probably because late nights and heavy drinking don't mix well with a dive holiday.
There are several venues for live music and perhaps a little dancing, but those looking to party should look elsewhere.
Despite the small size of the island, Bonaire has a lot of possibilities when looking for places to stay, from large resorts to small privately owned houses which you can rent on a daily basis.
Along the coast you have multiple places that combine a dive school with cabanas where you can sleep for a moderate price. Most of the accommodations on the island are relatively small, averaging 15 rooms or less.
Several mid-size apartment complex devoted to tourists exist. These tend to be a bit more upscale than the smaller accommodations.
There a several larger, more resort like places as well. These are still somewhat small, with only the Plaza Resort Bonaire and Captain Don's Habitat having over 100 rooms.
Divers Paradise Bonaire, Kaya Rotterdam 3. Beautiful fully equipped apartments with patio or balcony $70-300.
KonTiki Beach, Kaminda Sorobon 64. Brightly coloured beachfront studios, villas and apartments, on-site restaurant and cocktail bar at Lac Bay lagoon. $85-335.
Plaza Resort Bonaire, J.A. Abraham Boulevard 80, Kralendijk Bonaire. Less than five minutes' drive from the airport. A dive resort that offers spacious air-conditioned villas and suites with views of the lagoon, marina, or ocean.
On-site PADI dive center available including snorkeling and windsurfing. US$190-300.
Sun Rentals Bonaire, Sun Rentals Bonaire vacation villas, Kaya Grandi 65. Sun Rentals Bonaire offers a wide range of vacation villas and apartments as well as free dive tank delivery right at your doorstep.
Lizard Inn, Kaya Amerika 14, Bonaire. Small and cozy inn, owned by dutch immigrants, good for the ones with a small budget. 70 usd.
Tropicana Apartments, Kaya Proud #9. checkin: 15:00; checkout: 11:00. Tropicana Apartments Bonaire are friendly priced houses and apartments in the Dutch Antilles within 2 minutes walking distance to the beach where you can dive and a 15 minute walk to the center. US$55-125.
Port Bonaire - Apartments, Dodaarslaan. Spacious luxurious penthouse with view on the sea. Located on Port Bonaire with access to sea and a pool. The penthouse has all the aminities you need for a worry-free vacation.
Harbour Village Beach Club, Kaya Gobernador N.Debrot No. 71. Beach club and dive resort on the high end next to the harbour.
Oasis Guesthouse, Kaya Scorpio 17. checkin: 15h; checkout: 12h. Oasis Guesthouse 8 room affordable intimate Dive, Kite and Surf Resort on Bonaire 90.
BEACHES ocean view apartments, EEG Boulevard 5. checkin: 15h; checkout: 11h. BEACHES ocean view apartments US$110-125.
Generally speaking, Bonaire is a very safe place, especially by Caribbean standards. Violent and other face-to-face crimes are fairly rare, but passive theft is always a real possibility.
A good piece of advice is to not leave anything outside overnight, as desperate thieves or just teenagers out to cause trouble, will snatch anything they can, even towels hanging out to dry.
There is little to no nightlife scene, so problems associated with it such as public drunkenness are also fairly minimal.
Due to its proximity to the equator, the sun in Bonaire is intense. Sunscreen is an absolute must, even for people who claim to not burn.
If walking around during the day, make sure to stay hydrated and keep drinking water to make up for all the sweating you will be doing.
Due to the arid climate, mosquitos and the diseases they harbor are not a big problem and you very well may go your whole visit without getting a single bite. Still, if venturing into the wilderness, insect repellent is a wise idea.
Venezuela is only a short distance away, as are Curaçao and Aruba. For Venezuela, consult what can be frequently changing travel advisories and visa requirements, especially for U.S. citizens.
Unfortunately, high waves mean that not all of the beaches on Bonaire are suitable for swimming.However, there are still plenty of beaches where you can enjoy the sun and sea.
One beach on Bonaire where you can do this is the Playa Fuchi, on the island’s westernmost tip. It’s well worth a visit if you want to see lizards and iguanas, and it’s also very good for snorkeling.
For the most beautiful beach on Bonaire, travel to Playa Frans (French) in northern Bonaire, close to the Slagbaai National Park. It’s a little more difficult to reach, but you will meet few people there.
Playa Frans is wonderfully quiet and intimate, and you can linger there because of the pleasant breeze.
Near Playa Frans, you will find Boka Slagbaai, which is a beautiful stretch of beach but without quite as much sand as other beaches in Bonaire, making it a little more difficult to find a spot for your towel.
An additional attraction is provided by the more than 150-year-old buildings of Slagbaai. 1000 Steps Beach is another option. This beach owes its unique name to the fact that there is quite a climb to reach it.
Near to Playa (Kralendijk) is Te Amo Beach, which has views of the incoming airplanes. Bachelor Beach is situated close to Playa Mangel and consists of a narrow strip of sand with little room at high tide.
Pink Beach is a good place for diving, snorkeling, and picnicking and is therefore somewhat busier than other beaches.
The beaches on the west coast of Bonaire benefit from a calmer sea with small waves, and you will find many hotels and apartments along the beaches here.
The various beaches have widely differing characters. They include small beaches with much family entertainment,
right up to large tourist beaches full of trendy bars and restaurants.
Along the east coast, the ever-present trade winds mean that the coast is characterized by large waves crashing onto the rocky shores, and swimming here is virtually impossible.
Lac Bay is a large, shallow, 8 km2 lagoon along the southeastern coast of Bonaire.
The azure-blue bay is protected from the wild seas by a mangrove forest and a coral reef. Lac Bay also has two fantastic beaches, each with their own character and identity.
Sorobon Beach, close to Jibe City, the coolest bar on the island, is a popular gathering spot for young and trendy people who like to show off their tricks on the open waters of Lac Bay.
The colorful beach bar has a large number of tables, sofas, and sun loungers with sufficient shade.
Jibe City serves a lovely and varied menu, including a selection of fish and meat salads, fresh baguettes, and the daily special, plus ice cream, coffee, and a well-stocked bar that stays open when the sun goes down.
Klein Bonaire is a relatively small and uninhabited 6 km² island. It is situated directly in front of the capital, Kralendijk, at a distance of approx. 800 meters.
The island is completely flat, has a beautiful beach, and is covered only in small bushes mainly acaci) and various types of cacti.
When dive tourism started taking off, project developers wanted to build recreational centers on Klein Bonaire.
Diving operators on the island, together with some conservationists, managed to prevent this and Klein Bonaire is now a protected area; it forms part of the Bonaire National Marine Park.
Klein Bonaire is very popular as a dive destination. There are daily dive and snorkel tours to the island that are organized by resorts on Bonaire.
The reef around Klein Bonaire starts close to the beach and runs to a depth of about 35 m. The island is well known for its large population of seahorses and other marine life.
Klein Bonaire is also a breeding ground for sea turtles in particular the Leatherback turtle and Hawksbill sea turtle.
On the other side of Jibe City, you will find the domain of the local Bonairean inhabitants, who set this part of the island alight in a nice way every Sunday.
The Netherlands in 25 years of popular training DHM Security Management goes from november also on Bonaire. The founders of the Hague report Methodology: Bert Delshad and Rob Ackx.
The DHM Security Institute goes on request on Bonaire offering the post graduate Registry training DHM Security Management. For practical reasons, it happens that unlike in Netherlands.
First go the teachers for two weeks to Bonaire to the colleges. Then the students an exam. Who get the assignment to succeed independently, with the employer, the set piece piece. To do this, get the students a year.
After approval may be taken part in the official exam post graduate Registry training DHM Security Management,
what the title RSE can bring.
The Dutch Government provides a limited contribution to food and agriculture policy on Bonaire, especially compared with the Dutch contribution to nature conservation.
That is clear from answers from State Secretary Martijn van Dam (Econo Economic Affairs) and Minister Ronald Plasterk (Home Affairs) MPs asked for the ability to reduce cost of living through specific agricultural policy, so that there less products have to be imported.
They wanted to include a comparison between the Dutch contribution to agricultural projects and nature projects.
Bonaire experiences wind on around 300 days of the year, but it is at its most favorable between January and August. The wind averages about 16 knots, with a maximum of 30 knots.
The best location on Bonaire is Atlantis Beach in the southwest of the island. Here you will also find the kite schools with their qualified instructors.
The kite schools own fast motorboats that they can deploy in case kiters get blown off course.
The Washington Slagbaai National Park became the first national park in the Dutch Antilles in 1969.
The Bonairean park covers a total of almost 15,000 acres. There are different types of habitat, including dunes, salt lakes, wells, and mountains.
The various areas are home to, among others, thousands of birds, including many flamingos, as well as iguanas and lizards.
The salt lakes or salinas also fulfil another important function: the storage and filtering of rain water, which prevents nutrients and soil particles from washing into the reef and causing damage.
The park can be visited for a fee and can be entered by car or bike.
There are also hiking routes as well as a museum.
Tourism Observer
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