Explore Bonaire

Offshore islet, Bonaire

• Uninhabited coral island
• No Name Beach
• Pristine snorkeling sites

Just a half-mile offshore from Kralendijk lies Klein Bonaire, an uninhabited coral island surrounded by some of the Caribbean's most pristine reefs. Accessible only by boat, this flat, desert-like islet is part of the Bonaire National Marine Park and offers spectacular snorkeling and diving opportunities right from its white-sand shores. No Name Beach, the island's main landing point, provides a tranquil escape with crystal-clear waters and occasional sea turtle sightings.

Northwestern Bonaire

• Diverse desert landscapes
• Historic plantation sites
• Wildlife viewing opportunities

Covering almost 20% of Bonaire, Washington Slagbaai National Park preserves the island's natural and cultural heritage within its 13,500-acre boundaries. This former plantation area now serves as a nature sanctuary where visitors can drive, hike, or mountain bike through varied landscapes of beaches, sand dunes, and cactus-studded hills. The park hosts the island's highest point, Brandaris Hill, offering panoramic views for those who tackle the moderately challenging hike to its summit. Keep an eye out for the park's resident flamingos, parrots, iguanas, and the rare Bonaire whiptail lizard.

Capital city, Bonaire

• Colorful Dutch colonial architecture
• Harborfront promenade
• Local craft markets

Bonaire's capital and main port, Kralendijk, welcomes visitors with its charming waterfront lined with pastel-colored buildings, reflecting the island's Dutch colonial heritage. The compact downtown area is easily explored on foot, with cafés, shops, and restaurants overlooking the turquoise Caribbean Sea. On cruise ship days, the harborfront comes alive with local vendors selling handcrafted souvenirs, while the nearby Wilhelmina Park hosts occasional cultural events and performances that showcase Bonaire's rich multicultural influences.

Southern Bonaire

• Pink salt production ponds
• Flamingo viewing areas
• Historic slave huts

The southern end of Bonaire is dominated by vast salt pans that have been in operation since the 17th century. Today, these expansive, pink-hued ponds not only produce high-quality salt for export but also create a striking visual landscape that contrasts dramatically with the blue Caribbean waters. Adjacent to the salt works lies the Pekelmeer Flamingo Sanctuary, one of the most important breeding grounds for the Southern Caribbean flamingo population. While the sanctuary itself is off-limits to protect these magnificent birds, several viewing points along the coastal road offer opportunities to observe flamingos in their natural habitat. Nearby, the preserved slave huts provide a sobering reminder of the island's colonial past.