The island of Bonaire caters to divers and adventure seekers. The main attraction lies beneath the water's surface on the reef that is teeming with tropical fish as Bonaire is considered to be one of the best places to dive in the world.
Bonaire is a Dutch Caribbean Island that is governed by The Netherlands. It is a small island at only 112 square miles. Located in the southern Carribean near Venezuela it is the B in the ABC islands (along with Aruba and Curacao). Bonaire is a desert climate so expect to see a lot of cactus and dry ground. The best way to get around is by car. It is easy to drive the island's entire coastline in just one day and by renting your own vehicle you can reach most all of the diving spots yourself.
High season for Bonaire is January through June. Accommodations are booked far in advance and everything is open. The best time to visit Bonaire is from May to October when there are fewer crowds and bargain rates on hotels. Bonaire's climate remains steady at 82 degrees year round. The Caribbean hurrican season typically bypasses the island but sometimes there can be January rains which have caused minor flooding and muddied the waters for divers. The high season for cruise ships runs October to April.
The southern end of the island is home to the famous salt flats. Cargill has been operating here since 1997 producing some of the purest salt in the world. A drive along this road will ensure you see the pink colored salt flats, beautiful blue ocean some historical monuments and flamingos (this is where the sanctuary is located).
With 63 official dive sites on the main island divers will love the crystal clear waters and abundance of ocean life. To find the dive sites you will look for the large yellow rocks on the roadside. All of Bonaire's diving is shore entry. If you don't dive snorkeling is a great option to see the colorful reef and all it has to offer.
If you have ever wanted to know what it's like to live on a deserted island, hop on a water taxi to Kelin Bonaire. This small uninhabited island is about half a mile west of the mainland. The island has incredible white sand beaches and some of the best snorkeling and diving.
Bonaire's capital city is only a few blocks in size and is a great place to grab a bite at one of the many restaurants, shop for souvenirs or visit the Bonaire Museum to see large collections of shells and learn about the island's history. This is also where the cruise ships dock so you will need to be mindful of the days they are there to avoid large crowds.
Situated on the eastern side of the island, Lac Bay's steady trade winds provide perfect conditions for both novice and seasoned windsurfers. Lac Bay has stunning views and warm shallow water with white sand beaches for sun-seekers and adrenaline junkies alike.
Southern Bonaire's flamingo sanctuary is one of only four breeding grounds in the world. You can see the flamingos in their natural habitat in both the southern and northern parts of the island but during breeding season from January to July there can be upward of 6,000 Caribbean flamingos here.
In the North end of Bonaire, you will find the 14,000 acre national park. This desert oasis hosts several beaches, snorkeling and diving spots along with numerous hiking trails. Just note there are no facilities once you are in the park so you will need to bring your own water, sunscreen and food for this day trip.
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