Bonaire is a Caribbean island east of Central America and north of Venezuela. The island is part of the ABC Islands together with Aruba and Curaçao. 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 (81 degrees Fahrenheit).
Politically, Bonaire is a "special municipality" fully integrated in the Netherlands proper.
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. (Note that 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 (not air conditioned) and 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.
See :
Iguanas (wild)
Disused Slave Shelters
Washington-Slagbaai National Park
Rock art
Salt flats
Flamingoes
Do :
Scuba Diving
If you came to Bonaire, you probably came 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 come 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.
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BONAIRE - Travel Guide | Around The World caribbean map | |
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